Page 171

“You were wrong, Parys. Your strongest weapon isn’t your magic. It is your mind. Now use it and get us out of this cursed room,” I said, touching his shoulder.

“One more,” Lyrena breathed, fully upright once more.

The third portrait was of a child.

Dark haired, bright blue eyes, she looked like the miniature of the cruel queen. She stood in a massive doorway, darkness painted behind her. I didn’t know her name, though I was certain I’d find it on my own family tree. But I felt that I recognized her all the same.

“Repeat the third riddle,” I commanded, not taking my eyes off of the small, delicate female.

The dark queen’s voice echoed through the room once more. “The third portrait whispers secrets concealed, stowed within, a mystery revealed. In shadows, the truth unsealed. Unlocking the past, the present revealed.”

“The Queen of Secrets,” Arran breathed.

I pressed my eyes shut, unable to look into those eyes any longer—my eyes.

“I know this one,” I breathed, turning to face my dark-haired ancestor. Her eyes were heavy as she waited for my answer… as if she knew, and understood. “To unlock a secret, you need a key.”

There was no visible change in the chamber, but we all felt the shift. Lyrena swung her sword over the threshold, and when nothing happened, stepped over it herself. The others followed her, myself included. None of us looked back at the dark queen or her daughter.

Arran’s hand on my back was the only acknowledgment. There was no room for anything else. No time to question or wonder or go to pieces.

We went up, up, up, around the curving stairwell.

But this time, instead of being welcomed by candlelight, we walked into a wall of darkness.

79

VEYKA

“What is this? Lyrena, use your fire,” I said into the black.

It was darkness like I’d never seen, meant to steal every shred of light and awareness. As if I’d suddenly been rendered blind. I could only assume my companions had as well. But why wasn’t anyone saying anything? Why—

That was when I realized—sight wasn’t the only sense that had been stolen.

I strained my ears, but I was met with absolute silence.

“Arran?” I called tentatively. But though I could feel the vibration of my own vocal cords, I didn’t hear the words. I was certain Arran didn’t either.

Which was why Lyrena hadn’t used her fire. She had no idea where the rest of us were, and she’d risk injuring someone. Even a few flames around her fingertips… no, she wouldn’t risk it. There might be consequences, like there had been for the wrong guesses the level below.

We’d have to find each other in the darkness.

Arran would be the easiest.

As if in answer, a low rumbling growl filled my consciousness. Whatever magic had stolen our senses, it hadn’t touched that deep, unnamable connection between me and Arran’s beast. A second more, and I felt the heat of Arran’s body, his hand skimming over me, checking for injuries. Then grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers tightly together.

A warm wind licked at my neck.Parys.

I stepped tentatively toward it, pulling Arran with me.

Then I felt Parys, his hand on my arm. I could sense his other flailing around in Arran’s direction.

The rich scent of blood filled the air. Parys must have caught his hand on the blade of Arran’s axe.

Then everything was in motion. It felt like a thousand rats were scurrying past my feet, a moving mass all around us. I gripped Arran’s hand tightly, trying to make sense of what was happening.

Parys’ wind was gone, his fingers slipping from mine.