Her stomach felt empty and began to churn with anxiety. She needed to find the rift back to Aeris. She needed to escape this world and get back to her sister, now more than ever. No matter how much she wanted to deny it, she’d stopped thinking of the Unfaih as the enemy, and the realisation terrified her. Would her desperation to get back to Rowe lessen as time went by? Would she find herself actually wanting to stay? Could she abandon Rowe? The questions made her blood run cold and a fierce anger built inside her. She was not her father and would get back to Rowe if it killed her.
As Sloane moved deeper into the castellum, the walls changed from smooth frosted ice to uneven rocks that formed a natural tunnel. She didn’t pause to consider the change but continued into the dim tunnel, feeling a rush of excitement swell inside her. She didn’t know how far she had run from the great hall, but the tunnel had to be cutting into the mountain behind the castellum. A sense of certainty washed over her. She was finally onto something.
She met no guards as she entered the tunnel and hadn’t seen any while running through the corridors. They appeared to only guard the walls of the castellum, which she hadn’t been expecting. From what she knew, the Brakys had never breached the walls, so the Unfaih probably didn’t need guards patrolling the castle.
When she felt she’d put a good amount of distance between herself and the great hall, she slowed to a walk. The bulky skirt of her dress made it difficult to run, but she hadn’t seen any sign of pursuit. She expected Rhyn to have caught her by now, but perhaps he’d seen something when the orb changed colour and couldn’t bring himself to chase after her. Maybe he hadn’t watched her escape?
It was dim, but not dark in the tunnel. The black walls of rock glistened like they’d been coated in a slick layer of liquid metal. There were also large chunks of glittering crystal through the rock that gave off a soft, ambient light that Sloane could see by.
What really caught her attention was the ceiling above, which had small, shimmering flecks scattered across it. They looked a little like pieces of opal up there, but as she got a closer look she realised she was wrong. Instead, she saw the spots were in fact small insects with wings that glowed with an iridescent purple sheen. She never tired of how beautiful this world was, though the cold was certainly one thing she could do without.
It was quiet in the tunnel, and all Sloane could hear were her feet softly padding along the ground. There were several points where smaller tunnels branched off from the main one she followed, but she didn’t stray from the path she was on. If she got a chance later she’d follow the others to find out where they went.
A soft noise began to echo down through the tunnel, and she paused to listen to the sound. It was a light slapping sound that had a distinctive ebb and flow to it. It had to be water, but it wasn’t loud, like a rushing river, or pattering like raindrops drumming against a roof. It was more like the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore.
The sound became louder as Sloane continued through the tunnel, and when she caught sight of a bright opening up ahead she unconsciously rushed towards it. The tunnel grew brighter as she approached the opening, and when she reached the entrance she froze.
The tunnel opened out into a vast glittering cavern that housed a large underground lake. The walls that shimmered softly in the tunnel were as dark as night compared to the ostensible sparkle of the cavern. Every surface was covered in what looked like diamonds the size of fists. Light bounced off of each facet of every rock, and the whole place shone like the twinkling of a star.
The sparkling rocks continued into the lake, lighting it up from beneath the surface. In the centre of the lake there was a huge glittering rock that breached the water. It reminded Sloane of the story Kai had told her about the star that fell and landed in a mountain. Was this place what the Brakys were after? Why they constantly attacked? Rhyn had admitted the Unfaih guarded the Liftsal within the walls of the castellum. Was this place what gave them eternal life?
Initially, Sloane lingered just inside the tunnel, overwhelmed by what she saw, but her curiosity quickly overcame any hesitation. She entered the cavern, stepping carefully as she clambered over the bright shining rocks to explore the place.
She searched the area for the rift, checking behind large outcroppings of glittering rock and investigating small nooks in the walls, but she could quickly see it wasn’t there. The rift, with its glowing orbs of light and shimmering pocket of air, would be hard to miss in such a wide, open space.
She hugged her arms around her body and looked back towards the underground lake, trying not to let her disappointment get to her. It was hard to ignore her heart breaking though, as another tendril of hope was destroyed.
Her gaze fixated on the lake as she tried to get her feelings under control. The surface was still and tranquil. Only the soft ebb and flow of water that lapped up against the shore disturbed the smooth body of water.
Sloane slowly made her way closer to the lake, entranced by its placid beauty. It was practically sparkling as it refracted the light from the glittering rocks beneath the surface. She stopped by the edge of it and stared down at the crystal clear water that gently embraced the shore. She was tempted to reach down and run her fingers through it, to feel the refreshing bite against her fingertips.
She slowly lowered herself towards it, her hand reached out and ready to touch the crystal liquid. She was mere inches away from touching the surface when she let out a sudden breath and she jerked back to her senses. Dragging her eyes from the lake and clenching her hands back at her sides, she took a step away from the water, not daring to entertain another moment’s thought of touching it. If this was the Liftsal, she couldn’t go anywhere near it, but she almost felt like the lake itself had been calling to her, luring her closer to it.
She took a seat on the glittering sand a few steps back from the edge of the water. Her skirt settled wide around her, and she hugged her knees up to her chest as she stared out across the flat surface of the lake.
The cavern was beautiful, but Sloane had never felt further away from her sister than in that moment. The place was so alien to her and only reminded her of how trapped she really was. She wanted to find the rift back to Aeris, but she had failed once again in her mission to get back to Rowe.
Hopelessness churned beneath her calm exterior. As much as she tried to ignore the feeling rising up inside, Sloane could feel the emotion tugging at her heart, battering at it and slamming it up against the walls she’d so carefully encased it within. She wiped a tear from under her eye and stared at the wet smudge on her fingertip.
She couldn’t remember the last time she had cried. It hadn’t been in many years, of that much she was sure. The sensation felt weird to her, but it made her feel a sense of release.
Closing her eyes, she bowed her head into her knees and took a deep breath. She was not supposed to be in this world; there was no way she could protect her sister from there. The whole purpose Sloane had given to her life was to look after Rowena, and without that, she was nothing.
Then there was her brother. She had promised Rowe she’d find him, but she had clearly failed to do that. She wasn’t sure if she should hold out hope for him anymore. It had been weeks since he disappeared. Maybe he had been found, or maybe he had been dead this whole time.
She didn’t want to be tied to this world. She didn’t want to have any reason to stay. She was already too close to Orelle and Kai, and even Emha she’d find difficult to leave behind. But, Rhyn. She didn’t dare think of how she felt about him. She had a feeling that if she did, she would never truly be able to escape this world, even if she left it behind.
***
Rhyn watched as the light from the glowing orb slowly dimmed, then flickered and died. His heart was racing, and he could barely bring himself to tear his eyes from the orb. It had been so close to settling on a colour and had looked like it might shine with the glittering silver of a match, or even the brilliant gold that meant he had found
the one.
He looked to Sloane to gauge her reaction, but found she was no longer near him. Instead, she was fleeing across the hall, her dress caught up in her hands as she ran for the far door. She must have moved away before the orb could reveal the truth. Every eye in the room was turned to him, many mouths were agape, and everyone had fallen silent.
He’d almost forgotten the whole village was there, but now he felt their presence keenly. All at once, the whispers began as people tried to understand what had just happened. He wasn’t entirely certain himself.
There was only one thing he was sure of: he had to know the truth. Sloane could be a match for him, and he would drag her back to the orb kicking and screaming if he had to.
He began to go after her, only to be stopped at the door by his mother.
‘Why did you do that?’ she asked, pulling him out into the corridor so they could speak in private.
‘It was an accident.’
She lifted one of her delicate eyebrows skywards. ‘I was not born yesterday, Rhyn. This was not your choosing ceremony, and you know perfectly well that you are not allowed near the orb.’
Rhyn didn’t quake the way most would under Orelle’s piercing words. Instead, he responded, ‘It does not matter how it came about. All that matters is that Sloane could be a match for me.’
‘Perhaps,’ she replied cautiously. ‘But the orb did not settle on a colour. She may not be a match. Even if she were, what would you do about it? She is not one of us, and her life will pass in the blink of an eye for you. If you were to join with her then lose her, your life would be forfeit too. I cannot allow this.’
‘I could change that…’ Rhyn muttered.
‘But you won’t. Allowing a human to drink the Liftsal is forbidden; no exceptions. You know what she would become…’ There was no question in her voice as she said this.
‘But there were exceptions,’ he replied. ‘Not all humans who drank the Liftsal became Brakys.’
Her eyes grew sad. ‘It is not worth the risk. You need to send her to another village, as far away from the Liftsal as possible. You must not be tempted to give it to her. Darkness descended on our people the last time an Unfaih paired with a human. You know this.’
‘I will not send her away. Isn’t it bad enough that she can never go back to her people? You would have me send her to another village of strangers?’
‘It’s too dangerous for her here, Rhyn. It’s too dangerous for us.’
Orelle sighed and Rhyn stood taller. ‘I refuse to let her go. You don’t understand how I’ve felt about this girl since the second I saw her. I couldn’t possibly say goodbye. I have to know if we are a match.’
Orelle placed one of her hands on Rhyn’s cheeks. ‘I’m afraid, my son, you have no choice in this.’ Her voice sounded pained, as though she could feel how hurt he was. ‘Even if she were to stay with us, you would always live with the fact you stole her from her people. When you love someone you cannot bear to make them unhappy. You have taken away the life she has always known, the dreams she has always had and, if she is a match with you, you will not be able to live with it.’
Rhyn refused to meet Orelle’s eyes. He didn’t want to hear his mother’s protests, and more than anything he didn’t want to let Sloane go. He stepped back from her and turned to walk away.
She called after him, but he ignored the plea in her voice. ‘What will you do?’ she implored.
Her question was left hanging in the air as he stormed around a corner and disappeared from view. Even if he could answer, he had no idea what he would say.
As he moved deeper into the castellum, he pulled a dagger from his pocket and turned it in his fingers as he thought. He’d had it especially made for Sloane weeks ago, after she fought the Brakys. He’d been looking for an opportunity to give it to her, but it was hard to give someone a gift when they constantly scowled at you.
He smiled at the thought of how much she resisted him, despite the attraction he could see in her eyes. They were both extremely stubborn, and if they joined they would probably fight the entire time. She challenged him in ways he could never have imagined, but he couldn’t picture a life with anyone else. He didn’t even know if they were a match, but deep down he felt like they were.
He glanced down at the dagger he held tightly in his hands. What if Orelle was right and they couldn’t be together? Could he really steal her from her sister forever and expect her to live happily? Would he be putting his people in danger?
‘Rhyn…’
He whipped his head around at the sound of his second in command’s voice. ‘Elyx,’ he said, putting the dagger back into his pocket. ‘I wasn’t expecting you back from the World of the Woods until tomorrow.’
Elyx straightened his back so he stood tall. He still didn’t reach Rhyn in height, but he held himself with clear authority. ‘There’s been a development,’ he said. ‘More of the humans have arrived.’
Concern flashed in Rhyn’s eyes. ‘How many?’ he asked.
‘There were hundreds,’ Elyx responded. ‘They’ve set up camp in the woods, just beyond where the initial group crashed. We only watched for a day, but they had already cut down trees to build structures and the men who guard the camp carry metal weapons like the one you took from the prisoner.’
Rhyn swore and began pacing as he thought the implications through. ‘If the Brakys found a way to get through the rift, they could create an army out of them.’
Elyx shook his head. ‘I don’t think that’s our concern. The Brakys have never gone to the World of the Woods before. Why would they start now?’
‘They will if they ever find out about the humans. They won’t be able to resist. I want you to double the guard on the rift. Actually, triple it and have men guarding from the other side. It’s not just Sloane we have to stop from going through now.’ Rhyn stood back and nodded that Elyx was dismissed, but Elyx paused.
‘There was something else,’ he continued, cautiously. ‘The humans have a girl there who looks almost identical to Sloane. She has scars on her face, but the resemblance is uncanny.’
‘Rowe,’ Rhyn responded. It had to be. His stomach dropped. How would Sloane react if she knew her sister was so near? Could he really continue to keep her there, with her sister so close by?
‘Did you overhear anything about Sloane’s brother and his team?’
Elyx shook his head. ‘The humans sent scouts to find the group, but they couldn’t located them. Their ship was abandoned and they were missing without a trace. What do you think happened to them?’
‘I really don’t know, and that worries me,’ Rhyn replied, his eyes troubled. ‘Was that everything?’
‘Yes,’ Elyx said.
‘I want you to send another team to watch the humans, and I want a full report on the layout of their camp.’
Elyx nodded and withdrew. As soon as he was around the corner, Rhyn smashed his fist into the closest wall, the ice splintering in response. He needed to find Sloane, but he had no idea what to tell her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Sloane wasn’t certain how long she spent in the cavern, but when her legs became stiff from sitting, she decided it was time to return to the choosing ceremony. The rift back to Aeris wasn’t there, and she didn’t want Rhyn to realise she’d found the cavern. If he found her there she’d probably be locked up in Orelle’s hut for the rest of her miserable life.
She thought about taking some of the Liftsal from the lake. Perhaps it would be useful to her if she ever managed to escape. She quickly dismissed the thought. The stuff made her nervous, and she didn’t want to go near it. It could turn her into a living monster, and she wasn’t about to risk that. Especially when she wasn’t sure how it worked.
As Sloane made her way back through the tunnel and into the icy hallways of the castellum, she heard two voices talking softly. The sound was coming from a room up ahead, and she paused by the open door. She recognised Kai’s voice almost immediately. He was
talking with Reetha and their voices were in such hushed whispers that Sloane could barely make out a word they were saying. Kai’s voice was interrupted by Reetha’s easy laugh.
It made Sloane smile to hear them talking to each other so easily. She wasn’t certain if Kai would join with Reetha, but at least they were both giving it a chance. Still smiling, she walked away from the doorway to continue on her way to the great hall.
She didn’t particularly want to return to the hall, but she was tired. The whole night had been an exhausting mess, and she needed to get back to Orelle’s so she could regroup. She had put so much faith into finding the rift in the castellum and failing to locate it was a massive blow. For the first time since she arrived, Sloane truly felt like she was stuck there. The hope that she had clasped onto for so long was gone, and the realisation that she may never see Rowe again destroyed her.
‘Sloane!’ She looked down the corridor to see Emha running towards her. ‘Did Rhyn find you?’ the young girl panted as she reached Sloane.
‘Should you be out here by yourself?’ Sloane responded, looking up and down the empty hallway. She couldn’t hear the sounds of music or anyone talking, so she knew they must be quite far from the ceremony.
‘Are the two of you going to try the orb again?’ Emha continued, ignoring her question. ‘I think you should. I think you will be a match.’
Sloane frowned. ‘Err…’
‘If the two of you are a match, will you join?’
Sloane instinctively took a step back. ‘I think we’re both too young to think of anything like that.’ She screwed her face up at the thought, before muttering, ‘I could think of nothing worse.’
Her stomach twisted uneasily inside. Emha seemed so certain that her and Rhyn would be a match. Was there something she had missed? She was fairly certain she’d moved away from the orb before it changed colour. The girl had to be guessing.
In Ice We Burn (The Liftsal Guardians Book 1) Page 23
