Kamrynn’s POV
“Sherelle?” My voice trembled, hope and disbelief warring within me.
“Kamrynn, it’s me! Please, come this way!”
I turned toward the sound, my breath catching. I had longed to hear her voice again for so long. Our memories came flooding back to me all at once. Without thinking, I took a step forward, my eyes scanning the thick fog that hung like a veil in the distance.
“Sherelle, where are you?” I called back, desperation lacing my words.
Her voice came again, stronger now. “I’m here! Hurry!”
I broke into a run, the fog growing thicker with every step. The world around me became obscured, the faint outline of the ground beneath my feet the only thing I could see. My heart raced, torn between elation and unease. Something wasn’t right, but hearing her voice-my sister’s voice-overrode all else.
Then Aryna’s warning flashed through my mind like a bolt of lightning. “They will try to lure you, to trap you.”
I skidded to a stop, my chest heaving as I realized what I was doing. This isn’t her. It can’t be.
I took a cautious step backward, my breathing shallow. And as I did, the thick fog ahead of me began to shift, retreating like a ghostly curtain being pulled aside. As the haze cleared, my stomach dropped, and I felt bile rise in my throat.
Before me yawned an enormous pit, the edges jagged and uneven as if the earth had been forcibly torn apart. From its depths came a racket of hissing and slithering. I stepped closer, my breath shallow, and peered over the edge.
It was a pit of serpents-massive, grotesque creatures with scales that glistened like oiled metal, their black, forked tongues darting out hungrily. Their eyes glowed a sickly green, locking onto anything that dared approach. Some of them writhed and twisted together in a revolting dance, while others snapped their venomous fangs at unseen prey. The stench of decay wafted up from the pit, overwhelming my senses.
I staggered back, my knees weak. My gaze darted upward to where the fog still clung, and my blood turned cold.
The soul that had been calling to me-Sherelle’s voice-was caught in the serpents’ grasp. Or at least, what I had thought was Sherelle’s voice. It wasn’t her at all, just a hollow, tormenting echo that had taken her shape.
The figure, pale and translucent, screamed as one of the serpents coiled around it, its scales slicing into the misty flesh. Another serpent lunged, its jaws snapping shut on the apparition’s shoulder. The soul writhed, its wails piercing through the underworld, and I couldn’t look away.
“Oh, Selene,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “This could have been me.”
My legs felt frozen, but I forced them to move. My instincts screamed at me to run, to get away from this horrible place. Slowly, I backed away from the pit, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The serpents hissed louder, their glowing eyes tracking me until I was no longer within reach.
When I was far enough, I broke into a full sprint, tears stinging my eyes as I ran aimlessly through the desolation. My heart pounded painfully, and I barely noticed the shadows that seemed to shift and reach for me as I passed.
Finally, I ducked behind a jagged rock formation, collapsing to my knees. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and my mind replayed the horrifying scene over and over again.
“I can’t stay here,” I whispered to myself, clutching my arms for some semblance of comfort. “I can’t stay here.”
I closed my eyes, desperate for clarity. “Selene,” I prayed, my voice barely a whisper. “Please guide me. I don’t know where to go.”
Warmth blossomed in my chest, faint but undeniable, and I gasped. A vision unfolded in my mind like a gentle push, showing me the way-a small cave nestled in the distance, faint light emanating from within.
“Thank you,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks.
Pushing myself up, I set off toward the cave. The ground seemed rougher now, the cracks deeper, but I didn’t let it slow me down. Every step was driven by a renewed sense of purpose, even as the cries of lost souls and the lurking shadows tried to pull me back into fear.
When I finally reached the cave, I hesitated. The entrance was dark, and the light from within was faint. It seemed to pulse, glowing softly and then dimming again, like a heartbeat.
“Sorceress!” I called, my voice echoing into the void. “I know you’re in there. Show yourself!”
There was silence at first, followed by a low, amused chuckle that sent chills down my spine.
“Come inside, Kamrynn,” a cold, feminine voice called out. “You’ve come so far. Don’t stop now.”
I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening. “No. Come out here. We’ll speak where I can see you.”
The voice chuckled again, sharper this time. “Do you think you’re in a position to make demands? Come in, or turn back. But know this-I do not come out for anyone.”
I clenched my fists, torn between my fear and the urgency of my mission. Time was running out, and I couldn’t afford to waste any more of it.
“Fine,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “But if this is a trick, I’ll make you regret it.”
Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the cave.
The air inside was different, lighter yet tinged with something ancient and powerful. The walls were lined with glittering Amethysts, their violet light casting an ethereal glow that was almost hypnotic. The floor was smooth, a stark contrast to the cracked terrain outside, and the faint hum of energy vibrated through the space.
And there she was.
At the edge of the cave, chained to the wall by thick, shimmering bonds, was the sorceress. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing eyes locked onto mine with a mix of bitterness and curiosity. She seemed both regal and broken, her presence commanding despite her restraints.
Before I could speak, she tilted her head and smiled faintly.
“I know why you’re here,” she said, her voice cold and sharp. “But you should just go back to the world of the living. Your quest is already doomed. The Amethyst bloodline will never be forgiven!”