Page 174 of Where Darkness Falls

Yet, in my weakness, I made a deal with Tiernan to bring back my family.

Does that make me a traitor or just a selfish creation?

You seem troubled, my dear,Saoirse says.

I worry that I made a mistake in bartering with King Tiernan,I reply.Since their deaths, all I’ve wanted is my family back, but now that the time has come to retrieve the Crógemma, I’m uncertain if I should return it to Tiernan. I fear what he’ll do to the Na Fíréin once he finds them, but I’ve been so blinded by my grief that I just didn’t care until this moment. What if I’m making a grave mistake?

I think,Saoirse begins,that when the time comes, you’ll make the right decision.

How are you so certain?I ask.I barely trust myself.

Because I’ve known who you were, I know who you are, and I’ve seen who you will be, Maeva. You can do this, and if you decide not to give Tiernan the blood gem, you only need to say that you release me, and I’ll come for you,Saoirse replies.

I pause, mulling over her words.

Who are you really, Saoirse?I ask. Saoirse has always been more private, but is it possible that she’s more than just a voice in my head?

I’ve never hidden my name from you, my dear. I’ve only ever hidden my nature. I promise that when the time comes for you to release me, I’ll come, and together, we’ll face whatever evil is thrown at us. Also, try to have faith in your Galrosan friends. Siorai placed all of you together for such a time as this,she bellows confidently.

I let out a long sigh, pondering all that we’ve discussed.

Suddenly, a knock on the door, followed by a muffled voice startles me. “Are you ready, Mae-Mae?” Riordan asks.

I summon my orbs back to me. “As ready as I’ll ever be,”I shout.

I may not know who I was before all of this, but I know who I am now:

I’m Maeva Cale.

Daughter of Amelia and Rolph Cale.

Sister to Cara, Aiden, Cillian, Deidre, Aine, and Fion Cale.

Beloved friend of the High General and the Cadre.

Chosen by Siorai.

I don’t fear the darkness, but I’ll make the Abyss fear me.

“ENTER THE ABYSS, IF YOU DARE.

REMEMBER… NOT ONE FAULTY MOVE,

OR YOUR SOUL WON’T BE SPARED.

THE BEASTS ARE HUNGRY, READY TO DEVOUR,

THE VERY THING THAT IN YOUR HEART SOURS.

ENTER IF YOU WISH, BUT A WARNING YOU MUST HEED:

BE WARY OF WHICH YOU SEEK,

FOR IN ORDER TO OBTAIN POWER,

YOU FIRST MUST BLEED.”

“That’s rather ominous,don’t you think?” Laisren retorts. He backs away from the sign posted at the edge of the vast monstrosity.