Page 108 of The Seeker

Nothing happened.

Worried it was too soft to hear over the torrential downpour, I knocked a second time. Then a third time.

When it thundered again, I decided I’d waited long enough to be polite, and I twisted the knob and opened the door.

The interior of the cabin was pitch black, and I leaned back through the doorframe, noticing for the first time that there were no windows.

With a frown, I called forward fire magic into the palm of my hand, smiling as a small flame burst forth, illuminating the space ahead of me.

It revealed none other than a stone staircase heading down into the ground, the steps beginning only two paces from the door.

“What the . . . ?” I glanced behind me, into the forest still being drenched by the heavens. I’d only seen one other staircase like this before.

Descending down dark stairs in a random cabin in the woods didn’t sound like a good idea. But even as I debated going back for the umpteenth time, I felt a pulling in my chest.

Something was urging me forward.

“Otho,” I breathed, “I’m sorry I severed our bond.” I didn’t know why I was apologizing, but I continued, regardless. “And if today was the last time I ever saw you, I hope you somehow get this message.” The words burned. “I love you; I really do. I was . . . afraid. I think we both were. Anyway, if I emerge from this alive, I’ll come find you. I promise.”

Taking one final deep breath, I started down the stairs, hoping that Otho would still check my location, as he always had.

I worked my way down the spiraling stone stairs, step after step, breath after breath. There were no sounds other than my own breathing. Just when I thought I may have found the stairway to Hel, a light appeared ahead. Squinting, I urged my feet to move faster.

The light was coming from beneath a wooden door right as the stairs stopped and the floor evened out, shadows flickering every so often.

Someone was home.

I glanced back the way I’d come, wondering how deep I was in the darkness. But the stairs I could see in the light of my fire power offered no answer.

My hand shook as I lifted it, knocking against the wood two times before lowering it again.

This time, I didn’t have to wait long.

The door swung open to reveal a woman who was much older than I, her forehead and eyes lined with wrinkles. Her hair was once a similar brown to mine but was now streaked with white and gray.

We both stood there, neither saying anything at first. I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but she spoke before I could call forth the words.

“Runa. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I—What?” Shock rolled through me, and I looked behind me, fully expecting this was some sort of trap.

She stood to the side, motioning me inside the fire-illuminated room.

I didn’t move.

“Don’t be alarmed. Your parents notified us of your birth.” She smiled and I felt nothing but kindness and happiness coming from her.

I took two hesitant steps inside.

Inside was a sitting room, complete with a hearth, settee, high-backed chair, and a bookshelf filled with books. Even with the fire, it was dim, but in the corner was a desk, the top filled with used and unused candles. There were also three doors along the wall to my left.

Overwhelmed both by what I saw and what the woman had said, I shook my head. “What do you mean you were notified of my birth?”

Her smile didn’t falter as she guided me over to the couch. “Maybe I should start at the beginning. I’m Melody. I’ve been a scribe for the past fifty years.”

My jaw dropped and my chest constricted as I heard the word that had been spinning in my mind for months. “A scribe . . . You write the books?”

“I do.” She brushed her hands down the front of her apron. “And now you will, too.”