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“Feel it? You have powers? I thought you’re human.”
“And? Your point?” He grinned, blunting his sharp response. He wasn’t wrong. I’d met plenty of humans who’d had magical powers. I’d just assumed he hadn’t.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
I closed my eyes and focused. Now that he said it, I felt a gentle hum. Maybe the ice had covered it before, but the more I concentrated, the more the magic tickled my brain.
Than grazed my cheek with the back of his fingers. It was such a genuine, tender gesture, I swallowed hard. I so wanted to get out of here and for our story to have a happy ending. I brushed away the fleeting thought of Daeary and Bleddyn—they were in the past.
When Than reached the corner, he kneeled in front of a large square stone and prodded it. “It’s loose.”
I joined him and squeezed my fingertips into the tiny gap, wiggling the stone forward until Than could grab hold of it with his larger fingers. We worked together to pry it free, revealing a hidden compartment behind it. Inside was a small, grimy cloth bag.
I reached in and pulled it out, holding my breath.Please, let it be something to help us get out of here.
Than peered over my shoulder as I opened the bag carefully. Inside lay a chain attached to an amulet, made of twisted copper and encrusted with gemstones. It looked old and dirty, but it hummed with power, vibrating in my hand.
“I wonder who hid this.”
My fingers traced the surface, following the delicate dance of tantalizing swirls and symbols. Somebody else’s memories of lush gardens and the scent of fresh earth filled my senses.
“Woah.” In my shock, I dropped the amulet. Than barely managed to catch it before it hit the ground. I swayed, but stayed upright, as the images cleared. “That was so weird.”
“Are you okay?” Than reached out to steady me.
“Yeah, I just got a shock. Can I have another look?”
I wanted to hold the artifact and examine it more closely. But the moment my fingers touched the metal, it lit up, casting eerie shadows on the cell walls.
A ghostlike figure materialized, his silver eyes boring into mine, holding within them the weight of centuries.
You hold my amulet.
The apparition’s voice echoed in my head like a gong, the words overlapping and repeating. I had to focus hard to understand him.
I used the last of my magic to create this artifact, to take revenge on my killers.
Damn. I’d conjured a ghost. Some poor shmuck who hadn’t made it out and died in this awful dungeon.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, my heart aching with sorrow for the ancient Fae.
The spirit inclined his head.Thank you. I regret the tasks left undone and my family I had to leave too early. But mourn me not. I am but a weak simile of the mage who is reunited with his loved ones and one with the Goddess.
I gritted my teeth as his words repeated in my head, getting louder with each cycle. Than stared at me with concern and reached out to wipe something from my ear. It was a trickle of blood, and his expression grew even more alarmed.
The voice continued as the apparition wavered.
Listen carefully. Hold the artifact close to your heart and speak the incantation.
He recited words that made no sense, but I clung to them like a drowning woman. The spell burned itself into my cortex, making sure I’d never forget it. The pain was so intense I fell to my knees, but he wasn’t done yet.
Use the power carefully, for there will be consequences if you lose control.
As he faded away, he took the pain in my head with him, until Than and I were alone again. I hissed as the amulet shifted. Than reached out, lifted the metal, and peered closely at my skin.
“Ouch, that looks sore. There are blisters.”
I tried to poke at them, but he held my wrist. “Don’t touch or it’ll get infected.”
