He grabs my arm. “Not so fast. The water never depletes, but it is said to be guarded by a creature called the Gnashwyrm.”
I deadpan at him. “Like everyone on this realm isn’t a mystical creature already?”
“I’m serious, Elle. They can’t see or hear, but they can feel vibrations in the sand. We have to tread lightly.”
I look at the features on his face and nod. We agree to head there the next day.
Thankfully, Sarnyx allows me to share the tent with her. She doesn’t say much, just hands me a blanket and rolls over, which is the most Sarnyx greeting I could ask for.
The next day we travel for hours in the heat and sand. It’s awful. I can see why no one wants to live out here. I even try conjuring a floral canopy to shade us, but there is so little water that my magic refuses to cooperate. Kaelren casts me curious glances but doesn’t say much the whole way there.
Finally, we crest the top of a hill, and I see it.
It is gorgeous. A white marble structure that reminds me of something from ancient Rome. Maybe I’m not one of the only humans who has ever been here, or maybe more fae crossed over into Earth than I originally suspected.
The columns are massive, and the structure has winged creatures set like gargoyles all along the front of it. Vines are carved winding up the columns, and in the center is a large basin set on a pedestal.
Eltrien points to the center. “There. The water is rumored to answer whatever wish you hold in your mind as you drink it. But Elle, listen carefully. You must not have more than one sip, or it will instantly kill you. You must be very specific in your wish and think it while you drink. Any deviation could alter what happens next.”
Great. No pressure.
Kaelren uses some of his magic to spread a thin path for us to walk along, a blackened path of sorts to help avoid shifting the sand and alerting any nearby wyrms. Our group basically tiptoes the rest of the way to the temple, and I want to cheer with delight when we hit the first stone steps.
Okay, I think. Maybe I’ll make it out of this one without being violently yanked somewhere.
Kaelren is on high alert. “Sarnyx, Nimor, watch the sides. We don’t know if this wyrm will suddenly appear.”
They nod, head in opposite directions.
We walk up to the pedestal. The water looks cool, inviting. I nod at Eltrien, take a breath, lean in.
Whoops and hollers erupt as people drop from the ceiling all around us.
I look up in surprise and see Iteration Five Elle, Peeble, Vashael, Bryx, and Kevin.
“Well, well, Kaelren, what is this?” I hear my other self say in a huskier tone than I typically use.
“Already decided to replace me?”
Kaelren growls. “It’s not what you think. Plus, YOU are the one that keeps running from me!”
I sigh and make a placating gesture. “Look, Elle, me, whoever you are. I’m not after your man. Trust me. Just when I thought he couldn’t be more of an ass, I meet this version.”
Other Elle surges forward. “Don’t you talk about him like that.”
Sarnyx intervenes, stepping between us. “Let’s take it down a notch. We don’t want to wake the Gnashwyrm.”
Suddenly Peeble is there, wings buzzing at a pitch that could shatter glass. “What is this about a wyrm?! Kevin, you didn’t mention anything about a wyrm when you convinced me to come out to this godsforsaken desert!”
Bryx saunters up next to me, beaming. “Well, hello, gorgeous! What a great day for me. I got my wish for a beautiful female before I even had to drink the water!”
“Look, Bryxy boy, I am very fond of you, but you lay one hand on me and I will have to punch you right in the antenna. And I know how sensitive those are for you.”
He lurches back and gasps. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“Oh, I would. And I will.”
The group begins to argue and bicker with one another. Nimor and Vashael are having a lovers’ quarrel while the others are bringing up petty differences that apparently span this entire iteration. It’s chaos.
