Zara’s POV
“Perhaps we should have taken a map before trying the tunnels,” I muttered to myself, lost in thought. We were running for what seemed like an eternity, and I was fairly certain that we were lost.
“I am sure we are on the right track,” Kaya said as she heard what I was thinking. “I am still following Nic’s scent.”
“Are you certain?” I inquired. “It seems like Nic did not take this long to get to us.”
“Perhaps he simply ran more quickly than we do,” she said, refusing to back down. It appeared that she was confident we were headed in the right direction. “Remember that I am a little slower because of the backpack I am wearing on my back.”
“Should we ditch the bag?” I asked. “We can tie my clothes around your leg.”
Kaya grimaced with disgust. She did not like that idea, and there was no guarantee that my clothes would not get torn in the process.
“No need,” she uttered, reducing her speed. “I believe we have discovered something.”
I felt a chill go down my spine as I turned to see what Kaya had discovered.
Could it be?
Have we located the heart?
The temple in the middle of the packs?
“It smells deserted,” Kaya remarked, sniffing around us. “However, I am positive Nic passed by here. That is the direction he went.”
My eyes moved across the ancient, icy temple. I was interested in seeing what was inside.
“We can visit it on our return,” I said, pressing Kaya to move on.
“I think we should take a rest,” she said. “Even if it is only for a short while.”
Kaya began walking in the direction of the temple.
“In there?” I inquired anxiously.
“Yeah, why not?” Kaya let out a chirp.
“It is a place of worship!” I reminded her.
“And for the tired wolf to stop and drink,” Kaya said. “The Goddess would understand. She knows your intentions are pure.”
I sighed. There would be little use in arguing with Kaya. At this point, she desires to visit the temple. It would be nearly impossible to get her to reconsider. She can be just as stubborn as I am on some days.
“All right,” I said. “But we only stopped for five minutes at most.”
“Ten minutes, and it is a deal,” she stated. “I would like to rest. The hard, rocky surface of the cave is killing my paws.”
I let out a sigh but gave in.
We were standing at the massive temple doors less than two minutes later. They were covered in markings and symbols and were made of gold. Huge stone statues of wolves stood on either side of the doors, watching over them.
I shuddered.
They gave off the impression that they would grab us and throw us out at any moment.
Kaya gave me control, and I shifted back to human. Being naked in front of the statues made me feel vulnerable.
“Get dressed,” Kaya instructed. “I am interested in seeing the temple’s interior.”
“I do not think we should go in,” I said, taking the bag off my back and loosening the zipper.
“Why not?” she asked, shifting her head to the side.
“Because those two statues are warning everyone to stay out,” I said, and I pulled my shirt on. “The temple is being guarded.”
“They are just statues,” Kaya chirped, annoyed. “They are unable to harm anyone.”
They did, however, appear to be alive, and I kept getting the impression that I was being watched. I shook off the feeling and went closer. I was drawn to the symbols on the enormous doors and became obsessed with learning their meaning.
As my heart pounded in my chest, I reluctantly climbed the few steps to the double doors.
Goddess, why am I still feeling so terrified yet so calm? Why does this feel like home?
It was difficult for me to put my feelings into words.
Was that normal?
Was I going crazy?
Was this place doing this to me?
I stopped in front of the door and felt a wave of peace come over me.
“Why does it seem like I belong here?” I muttered. “Why does it feel like I am being called to go closer?”
“Maybe we should take a look?” Kaya insisted. “What could possibly go wrong?”
“The goddess could catch us inside,” I remarked.
“And? What is so awful about that?” Kaya asked. “We will be incredibly fortunate if we get to see her! Besides, it is a wolf temple. It is our responsibility to go inside and make our offerings and give our prayers.”
“Yeah,” I protested, “but I did not bring anything to offer.”
Kaya fell silent for a brief instant. Was she considering leaving?
“Do you want me to knock?” I asked, glancing over the symbols.
Kaya gave an eye roll.
“No one is here, Zara; it is a temple,” she remarked. “What makes you want to knock before you go inside?”
“Because it is rude to just barge inside,” I replied, and I stretched my hand out toward the door.
The symbols looked so familiar, as if I had seen them somewhere before.
I cocked my head to the side, squinted, and ran my fingers over the cold old door, unconsciously starting to trace the outline of the symbols on it.
The symbols went from being dusty and drab to flashing a brilliant golden color in an instant. Everything happened so fast.
A smiling woman with the purest white hair appeared in vivid images before my eyes.
I took a step back in surprise.
What just happened?
Bewildered, I glanced around, trying to find the woman I had just seen.
She was nowhere to be seen.
Was it just my imagination?
Should I be aware of the identity of that woman and the meaning of these symbols?
I quickly took another step away from the door, grabbing my backpack as I ran down the few steps.
Coming here was a mistake!
The heavy door behind me cracked, sending an unholy chill down my spine.
I stopped dead in my tracks. My heart was pounding outside my chest. I turned my eyes back to the door against my will.
“That’s impossible!” I whispered. “How the hell?”
With horror, I watched as the remaining symbols came to life and rippled through the rest of the temple.
Then, as if on cue, I screamed as the most agonizing pain tore through my body.
I must have displeased the goddess by coming here.
I shivered as though I were cold as a wave of flaming fire surged through me.
“Oh, Goddess, I am sorry!” I cried out in pain. “Forgive me!”
But the fire inside me grew and consumed me, leaving me out of breath.
I curled myself into a ball, praying the punishment for coming here wouldn’t be too harsh.
Will I survive this horrible punishment?
****