Night of the Storm: An Epic Fantasy Novel (The Eura Chronicles Book 2) (9 page)

THE SHADOW ELF GIRL
skipped across the stones that floated on the surface of the green water. Her white tattoos glowed under the light of the blood-sucking fireflies that nested in the hanging leaves of the trees.

The underwater temple was the quietest place to be before dawn, and she could relax without the constant scrutiny of the Bellens that had captured her.

Ayoki knew exactly what she was to them.

A war prisoner.

An experiment.

Yet Ayoki did nothing to stop them.

She sighed, letting out a long breath. Just the thought of using her power—even to save herself and her friend was enough to make her shudder.

“Ayoki!”

Ayoki jumped to another white stone and paused on one foot as she looked back.

Mai’s voice startled Ayoki, but she kept her balance above the still lake. She frowned as the fine hairs on her body stood on end.

The amount of freedom given to her was minimal. The Bellens had her watched at all times as she explored the small plot of land that was encircled by a stone wall.

She was lucky to have any shred of freedom, but even the Bellens were afraid of her, even if they tried to hide it. They gave her space. For now. Until their new master arrived.

The name—Sister Eloni—kept coming up, but apparently there was a new leader, one that made the Bellens speak her name in only hushed tones.

They didn’t call her sister like everyone else.

Mother.

Ayoki never thought that simple word would cause such fear in women who tortured young girls and used their blood and souls to fuel their own beauty and ability to live longer than the typical mortal.

The sound of the screaming erupted from just beyond the path that led back to the village the Bellens had built in the middle of Jiran.

A loud explosion knocked Ayoki from her place on the stone. Her long white hair blew as a gust of wind pushed her down. She hit her chin on the rock, sinking into the dark water. The taste of blood filled her mouth as Ayoki fought the desire to close her eyes.

Mai jumped in after her.

Ayoki glanced up and saw that she had just missed the fire that extended over the lake.

They dove deep into the water as the fire consumed everything surrounding the lake.

Ayoki’s eyes opened to the darkness beneath. An eerie feeling crept into her as she spun around in the clear water, lit by the fire on the surface. A white mist curled up from the bottom of the lake, as if reaching out to her.

Mai glanced back at her and waved.

Hesitant, Ayoki followed Mai as she swam toward the temple. It sat deep at the floor of the lake, surrounded by the white mist and trees that stretched from the bottom to the surface.

The stone temple stood there almost as if it weren’t submerged in water.

Quiet.

Abandoned.

They swam at speeds that rivaled the fastest fish in the sea. The fire hovered above the water’s surface, keeping them from the air their lungs needed. Something told Ayoki that the temple would provide solace. It called to them, promising safety, and the young women rushed toward it.

Mai fought the water to reach the large silver doors. She pushed with all of her might, and finally crashed into the inner corridor of the temple. The water would not enter. It remained formed to the entryway, unable to spill inside.

Mai stood tall, her gray dress soaked and clinging to her strong frame as they stepped farther inside. The door slammed shut behind them, making both young women jump.

A burning in Ayoki’s throat sent her into a coughing fit. She settled onto the stone floor, choking on water that had once been enchanted. It was stale and tasted salty and warm. Her choking ceased when she saw a light emerge from the dark depths of the corridor.

Ayoki would have screamed if she had been born with a voice. So many things in her life would have been different.

If only she had a voice.

Ayoki scrambled to her feet and slipped backward until her back was against the doorway. The light became brighter and filled the room.

Mai stood and shielded her eyes.

“Ayoki, stay there,” Mai whispered.

Ayoki watched the light. It shrunk into a small ball that hovered in the air and began to trail down the hallway. The women looked at each other and then back at the ball of light.

“Come on. Let’s see where it goes.”

Ayoki took Mai’s hand and peered at the light. She was unsure if it would take them to salvation or certain death.

“Maybe it’s a sign?”

Ayoki clutched her hand. They dripped water along the slippery polished floors as they crept down the halls. Mirrored ceilings looked down at them. Ayoki avoided glancing back up at them.

She didn’t like seeing her reflection.

“Hurry now. No time to waste,” a voice called from far down the hallway.

They both stopped.

Ayoki wanted to turn and run back the other way.

“Calm down, Ayoki,” Mai said as her eyes strained to see past the light.

Their cat-like eyes were better accustomed to darkness than such bright light.

“I see a figure moving down there,” Mai whispered. “Who’s there?”

“Are you hard of hearing?” A male voice echoed through the corridor as he slid toward them.

Ayoki’s eyes widened, stunned by the sudden appearance of a goblin. He was as short as a child, with the face of an elderly man, beady black eyes, and gray skin.

The goblin’s bushy eyebrows rose as he examined them. He threw his hands up. “Fine. You want to die? I’ll leave you alone.” He turned to go back the other way. “I was going to show you a path to Eura. Vaugner told me you were worth rescuing, but if you’d rather stay here, it makes me no difference.”

Mai and Ayoki looked at each other then back to the goblin.

“Come on, Gilly,” he said to the light as it followed him.

It began to dim, and they saw that it was a small pixie. She was too tiny to make out her features, but they could tell that she was watching them.

“I said come on. They want to be left alone.”

The pixie buzzed off like a bubblebee, barely any bigger than one and without a second thought, Ayoki and Mai ran after them.

“Wait!”

He paused and looked over his shoulder.

“Wait for us. We want to come too,” Mai said.

He snorted. “Of course, you do.” He peered at them with those black eyes as they made their way beside him. “So, you’re a bit slow but not completely daft. That’s a relief.”

Gilly giggled, and they finally got a good look at her. She sounded like a bell when she laughed. Though her blue eyes were too big for her face, she was pretty with short bright blonde hair and pointy ears and chin.

“Let’s get a move on then. The fire will spread. We don’t want to wait and see if any of those Bellens survived my bombs.”

Ayoki’s brow lifted. He was rescuing them.

Impressive.

He turned a corner at the end of the hall and began to run. He paused. “I’m Hartwig.”

“Mai. This is Ayoki.”

He nodded, his eyes lingering on Ayoki’s face. Without warning, he turned and ran. Ayoki didn’t know why, but she almost felt safe. Mai took her hand, and they followed behind as quickly as they could, surprised at how fast the goblin was.

“Come on, slowpokes!”

Mai glanced at Ayoki. “We are Shadow Elves.”

“And as slow as my grandmother,” Hartwig replied.

Gilly giggled again, her small voice carrying down the empty hallways.

“We could outrun you,” Mai said. “If we knew where we were going.”

“Sure. That’s what they all say.”

Ayoki smiled. The fear and tension dissipated. She liked Hartwig. Perhaps there was hope they would survive after all.

Ayoki needed to.

Despite her fear and doubts, the
world
needed her.

After all these years, maybe she’d finally gotten some good luck.

THE AIR FELT SCARCE AS AYOKI
and the others went deeper underground into smothering darkness.

Used to living underground, her eyes adjusted, dimly lighting the area around her. They came to a dead end where a stone wall stood before them.

She touched the walls, feeling for any signs of life other than Ayoki and her companions.

A breath of relief escaped her lips. They were safe.

For now.

Ayoki hoped Hartwig would take them somewhere safe from the Bellens and their dark magic.

Ayoki rested her hand on belly. She bit her lip at the flutter beneath her hand. For once in her life, she had more than herself to think of.

Pretica still didn’t know. Maybe she was better off being as far from home as possible. Ayoki had already let her down. She’d let the world down.

But then, she’d never see Kenichi again.

Tears stung her eyes. She wiped them away before anyone noticed.

Hartwig tapped on the stone wall, and clicking sounds were heard. Ayoki’s eyes examined the stone wall curiously, but the goblin pushed the adjacent wall instead, revealing a secret door.

The stones shifted and twisted until the pattern changed and the stones separated.

Gilly entered the small room, filling it with light. A ladder that stretched high above was nailed to the wall.

Hartwig began climbing up the ladder with Gilly lighting the way. Gilly’s light made the slick walls shine, and Ayoki realized the entryway led to a cavern much smaller than her home in Gollush. She missed her home, even if there were a few dark memories she wished she could forget.

Mai looked around. “We must have gone quite deep underground.”

“Seventy-five feet,” Hartwig replied as he lurched himself up the final steps of the ladder.

He reached for Mai. She shook her head and darted up the ladder. She had a self-satisfied smile on her face when she saw Hartwig flinch when she appeared beside him.

Ayoki didn’t like drawing attention to herself, so she climbed up and accepted Hartwig’s hand. He helped her up and sealed the door to the temple closed.

Crystals clung to the ceilings of the cavern and red orbs the size of Ayoki’s fist protruded from the stone floor like flowers. They held light inside that flickered and moved slowly from side to side.

Ayoki bent down and watched the light inside. Something small writhed and spun.

“Better not stare,” Hartwig said and waved his hands before her eyes, breaking her gaze. Ayoki frowned up at him, but he simply began down the left path.

“How much farther?”

They had been walking for hours, and their clothing was still damp and clinging to them.

Hartwig’s brows rose. “In a hurry, are we?”

“Why, yes. You do know she is the Seer. She has to help the other chosen to save the world.”

“Oh, yes. That.” Hartwig didn’t continue then, and both of the girls looked at each other. His mind seemed to be elsewhere. Ayoki’s ears perked up; it sounded as if he was counting to himself.

“You are taking us home, right?”

Hartwig glanced over his shoulder. “Home? No miss. We are heading to the Goblin City.”

Mai skidded to a stop. “What?”

Hartwig shook his head. “Why are you stopping? We have no time to waste. You speak of the other chosen. Vaugner knows of all of this. You will meet in the Goblin City.”

Vaugner?
Ayoki knew that name. He was the one to organize the rebellion against Wexcyn and Inora.

“Well,” Mai said with disappointment. “I wanted to go home.”

Hartwig nodded back the other way. “You know the way back.”

Mai wrung her hands. “I’m not going back alone.”

“It’s settled then. You’re coming with us to the Goblin City,” he clapped his hands. “Now, show me some of that speed you keep gloating about. Hustle!”

THEY WALKED FOR MILES
until Hartwig began to slow as the ceiling went from low to much higher above them.

Gilly lit the way to a fork in the cavern. The walls were full of jewels and precious stones. One could travel three ways. Either they could go straight, to the left, which was too dark to navigate, or right, which looked like it dropped into another lower cavern.

The young women waited for Hartwig to direct them.

“Luc?”

Ayoki felt the hairs stand on the back of her neck as they looked into the darkness. Their eyes had adjusted, but still she saw nothing. A man emerged from the mouth of the path that led to the left.

“Aye,” Luc answered. He walked ahead, and the girls saw that he was a Shadow Elf like them. “This is the Seer?”

Hartwig hooked his thumbs in his belt loops and stood straight like he always did. “Aye.”

Luc’s bright blue eyes examined Ayoki from top to bottom. He looked as if he could be both of their fathers, with thin wrinkles set into his forehead like he worried too much. His hair was braided long and neat. He wore simple travel attire, leather pants, boots, and a belted green tunic.

“Vaugner has patrols set up all along the path from the fallen barrier to the Goblin City.”

“Goblin City?” Mai’s eyes widened. She glanced back at Ayoki. “I don’t know about this.”

Ayoki took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She nodded, meeting Mai’s eyes.

“You
want
to go to the Goblin City?”

Ayoki smiled and nodded. Vaugner would know what’s best. If Pretica trusted him, then she would as well.

Hartwig handed Luc a few of the jewels he had mined from the caverns. The Shadow Elf examined them, closed his fingers over them, and dropped them in his side purse. Luc finally looked satisfied.

“Nothing to worry yourselves with. Just don’t be seen by the people native to Eura. The humans don’t like the other races, and they really don’t like Shadow Elves. But Luc will take care of you.”

“But where are you going?” Mai asked, disappointed; they had already gotten used to him.

“Going to see a man about a dog,” he replied with a straight face.

Mai stared at him, her face twisted. “What?”

“Most of what he says is nonsense.” Luc scowled. “Isn’t that right little Wig?”

Hartwig chuckled to himself. “More people to save. Very little time. We will meet again, my friends.”

Mai and Ayoki nodded. They’d just met him. He’d saved their lives and would now be leaving them with another stranger.

“Do not worry. You are going to my home. The Goblin City is not a place to fear, I assure you. You just be ready. I will show you a real race,” he winked at Mai.

“We are always ready,” Mai smiled, exchanging a grin with Ayoki.