Page 182 of Where Darkness Falls

“No, no, no!” I cry out.

Emyr bangs against the door with all of his might, his shadows swirling viciously. “Open the door,” Emyr yells.

Just beyond the frame is a clicking sound, and eight rapid steps. Within moments, it opens just as the last of the lights fade.

We made it.

I grab Emyr’s hand, hauling him through the opening. “Close the door,” I command the arachnid.

“I know what to do, Chosen Daughter,” it clicks angrily.

We burst through the threshold, releasing several shuddering breaths. To our relief, the spider doesn’t immediately attack us, so I suppose that’s a good sign. “I didn’t think either of you would make it,” Riordan chuckles.

Turning around, I smile, finding our friends free from their bindings. Relief surges through me as I capture them in a tight embrace. Emyr even joins in the revelry, relieved that we made it through the chaos. “Are you both alright?” I ask.

“Of course, Mae-Mae,” Riordan answers. “I just had the best nap of my life.”

“Speak for yourself, mate,” Laisren answers.

“Laisy’s a little ill over being subdued by a spider,” Riordan whispers.

We laugh, embracing one another once more.

Pulling away, Laisren studies us. “Did you find it?” he whispers.

I nod, revealing the crimson diadem that I currently cradle in my hands.

“There’s much we need to discuss,” Emyr says. “But first, let’s get out of here.”

“Please,” the arachnid clicks. “Before I change my mind and decide to eat you after all.”

“You’re just upset we made it back in time, aren’t you?” Emyr mocks.

“It would appear so, Prince,” the spider seethes. “This is my last warning. Leave now, or I’ll make good on the promise of death.”

Riordan waves, walking toward the stairs. “Until next time, Archie,” he calls out.

“For your sake, I hope not,” it replies.

Then, the spider disappears beneath the landing.

As we ascend the steps, Emyr and I recount our meeting with the Basilisk to our companions, as well as our plans not to return to the king. Of course, they agree to this change of tactics, having despised the king for so long.

For the first time in ten years, it feels like there could be an end to the darkness.

Maevriana.

Now that I’mnot worrying about dodging limbs of wicked creatures, my mind dwells on the memory once more. Knowing a part of my full name brings me a semblance of comfort that I haven’t felt in years. This is the first time I feel parts of myself slowly coming back, and I desperately want to remember it all.

Whoever I was before is somehow linked to the Crógemma, and I need to find out how. The answers are so close, but yet they feel miles away. They’re buried somewhere within me, if I could only figure out where to find them.

I know someone who’d help you. Someone that knows you from before Aurelius,Saoirse interjects.

Is it who you’re taking us to once we’re out of here?I ask.

Yes, my dear.Saoirse replies.Once I’ve been released, I’ll bring you to them swiftly.

The gray sky of the world above the Abyss comes into view just as we climb the last of the steps. We’re so close to the freedom we’ve each sought, and perhaps the person Saoirse will take us to is the Na Fíréin. Saoirse has always been secretive, so perhaps that’s why… She’s protecting them as well.