Caelynn
The Crackling Courtis quiet when I step through the portal.
The other ruling court portals quietly shimmer in a circle all around me. The trees rustle in the breeze.
The world feels so peaceful. The sky is a pretty blue, no clouds in sight. The wind rustles the leaves of the forest around me. The waters of the lake are as glassy and still as before.
But the sounds of wildlife I heard the last time I was here are noticeably absent.
“He is here.”
“Where?” I whisper.
“In the tree line west of the lake. He’s expecting you.”
I frown and step toward the hill leading down to the dark lake. My chest is tight, but I force myself to take in deep breaths, in through my nose out through my mouth. I’m done waiting. Done playing this chess match.
I’d like to ask the spell book how it knows the Night Bringer is waiting for me. He doesn’t know intentions. Is he guessing, or did the Night Bringer say it? To whom? Was it another message? But I don’t want to converse with it more than necessary. I’m already salty I need him at all. But I’m not stubborn enough to lose this battle by ignoring one of my largest assets—even if I’m pissed at it.
“I’m going to see you soon,” I whisper to no one.
The ground trembles beneath my feet in a rumbling of distant laughter.
“Are they going to wake her now?” I ask the book, my voice quiet, heart throbbing.
“They made an attempt a few hours ago.. She did not respond favorably.”
I swallow. That’s good news, I suppose. “But they’re trying again? Now?”
“That’s what they say.”
That’s what they say. As in, he doesn’t necessarily believe that. But I hate taking opinions from a being already proven untrustworthy. They say they’re planning to wake the ancient beneath Black Lake, right now. “And you still think I should donothing?” I bite out, watching the still waters in the distance.
“You are not strong enough to stop them, Caelynn.”
I curl a lip, anger simmering in my chest. Frustration crawls down my back, every muscle tense. I refuse to stay idle. I’ve done it for too long. I trusted a stupid book, and it was holding back information about people Ilove.
The spell book sighs. “I think you should go talk to Reveln and Raijin. Tell them we must act now. I think the Night Bringer is taunting you. He wants to push you to approach—” he cuts off suddenly.
“What?” My heart dips.
“Raven is here. They’re going to board a ship, bound for the center of the lake.”
***
