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The blue glow pulsed and brightened the area in the boat, but barely lit the whole cavern. Moving it around, I noticed the ceiling here was higher than before, almost vanishing into the abyss above. The river expanded into a body of water resembling a lake, though I couldn’t see a shoreline.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“The Lake of Sorrows.”
Sliding away from Callum, I moved to the front of the boat, holding the glowing ball out over the edge. “That’s an ominous name.”
Callum dipped the oars in and out of the water. “For those that can’t see in the dark, this is a blackness that goes on for quite a bit. The lake is large and still with no visible signs of life, even though there are creatures way below the surface. They say that the first dark queen was betrayed by her mate here and she drowned in the lake, cursing it forever.”
I squinted at the water below, wondering if it was black or if that was only because this cavern had no lights, not even the luminescent bugs often found in caves.
The lake went on for an endless amount of time.
I didn’t like it.
Mostly, because the way back would be impossible to find. How anyone, including those with night vision, could navigate this place was a feat in itself. I’d be happy to return to the surface and see the sun again.
Soon, purple lights glowed in the distance. “Look.”
“Ahh, we’re almost there. The city is a bit farther in, but this docking area has a food vendor with the most delicious smoked eel.”
I scrunched my nose at the thought of eating something so slimy. “I hope he has actual fish.”
Callum chuckled. “I think you’ll find something you like.”
His laugh stopped when we got closer to the dock. Bodies lined the stony floor and a wave of putrid death hit our noses. I covered my face with my hands.
There was no food vendor, and anything that resembled a stone home or storefront had been hit with blasts that crumbled the structures to pieces. Our boat reached the long pier, but I didn’t want to get out.
I grabbed Callum’s arm and casted my magic over us both, creating a barrier.
“What did you do?” he said.
“Protected us. We don’t know what’s out there.”
Callum tied the boat and climbed onto the pier then held his hand out for me. I grabbed my black bag and took his hand. He pulled me up, holding me close.
“Stay behind me,” he said. “Things are worse than I thought.”
“I can protect myself,” I reminded him. “This is why the magi sent me.”
“I don’t doubt your strength, but . . .” his voice trailed off.
“What?” I tugged on his shirt.
He placed a hand on each side of my face, his thumbs rubbing my cheeks. “Be careful,” he said.
“I will.”
My stomach churned with an odd flutter. Not understanding Callum’s motives made me nervous, more nervous than the catastrophe we were walking into.
Our steps echoed along the cavern. When we reached the end of the dock, I covered my nose, the stench of death thick in the air. Callum held out his hands, fire sparking at his fingertips. With slow steps, we maneuvered our way through the bodies, both young and old. The nearest building to our left had a display of rotting fish which made me gag, an old dark fae lay on the ground, his body covered in festering wounds.
We continued down the road, the carnage the same.
Something horrible happened here.
A figure dropped out of the darkness to land in front of us. Someone dressed in all black leathers, including a mask that covered the top portion of the face, except the eyes, and silver hair in three thick braids.
“Callum,” the figure said in a feminine voice.
“Alisha?”
The fae nodded then glared at me. “I’m ordered to take you to the queen.”
Alisha pulled out a thin glowing rod and made a large circle in the air. A portal appeared in front of us, the other side shimmering in what looked like an opulent room.
Callum grabbed my hand. Again, his actions were confusing. Why did he keep touching me? Before I could pull away, he tugged me behind him and through the portal.
