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Instead of wearing it, I kept it secret.
It was a source of my power—or maybe a way to channel it.
I hoped it would come in useful for what I had in mind.
We arrived at the old cemetery, a place for fallen Valkyries and all of those who had lost their lives defending the realms. I took my time to really examine it now that I had more moonlight to see by.
“It’s so… big,” I marveled as we took the larger path deeper into the site.
“Hmm,” Killian agreed. “The Academy has been fighting evil for a long time. Unfortunately, sometimes the cost is high.”
I knew that well.
But here, I felt like I’d been selfish in my sorrow. So many had lost loved ones. Daughters. Sons. Brothers and sisters.
Friends. Loved ones.
Legends.
The sheer amount of gravestones and monuments was staggering. We continued past them and I admired the lush grass that was soft beneath our feet. It curled up around the gravestones that were adorned with intricate carvings telling stories of those long past.
Some markers were worn away by time, while others were barely able to stand at all. But they all still remained in memory and honor of the brave individuals that fought for the realms before us.
The further on we ventured, tall marble statues depicted valkyries lined the central section of the cemetery. These, at least, I’d noticed the last time we were here. They had been too large to miss.
I briefly brushed my hand over the fingers of one of the stone statues, feeling a kinship to it.
I’m not going to let you down, I vowed, unsure of who exactly I was talking to.
Those who had come before me, perhaps. My ancestors, and the generations to come.
Inside, more statues displayed depictions of stone dragons curled around marker stones.
It was a somber reminder of the cost of freedom.
I shuddered when a cold breeze blew past us, carrying the stingy scent of death with it.
My senses perked up, as did everyone else’s.
“He’s here,” I said, knowing that it wasn’t the cemetery I sensed. It was the undead creature we were here to meet.
Unlike last time, Frederick was well on time for our meeting. He emerged from the shadow of a dragon statue rearing upward in a grand display of wings and teeth.
“Finally,” he said as if disgruntled. “I’ve been waiting.”
I wanted to inform him that we were on time, and last time we had been the ones waiting, but I refrained.
Frederick produced bracelets for each of us, but he seemed to be one short. “These will act as your anchors when we enter the Shadow Realm. Put them on and it will secure your spirits to your flesh.”
“What happens if we enter the Shadow Realm without them?” Jasmine asked.
He grinned, showing sharp teeth. “Your spirit will be ripped away. It’s not a land for the living.”
I recognized the angry coils with the contraption that was stuck on my own wrist. “Wait.” I said as Killian reached to take the offering. “Those are permanent, aren’t they?”
The vampire nodded to my bracelet. “Well, it’s only permanent until it’s removed by the one who created it.”
That was news to me. “Meaning my uncle is going to have to remove this?” That was convenient. He was nothing more than a shadow the last time I saw him.
