Chapter 14: Enemy’s Den
Melissa’s POV
As we moved closer to Damon’s stronghold, the haunting silence of the dark woodland persisted. Every rustle of leaves sent a chill down my spine as shadows swirled around us. With his quick and strategic actions, Kane took the lead, with Zane trailing closely behind. Holding the blade Kane had handed me, I came up last.
Over his shoulder, Kane murmured, “Keep your eyes sharp.” “There are many traps in this area.”
Zane grinned and stepped over a tripwire as if it were easy. “Traps I know how to avoid,” he murmured.
I wasn’t sure I trusted him. His unexpected arrival and his familiarity with Damon’s hideout felt too easy. However, we were forced to depend on him for the time being.
“What is that?” I pointed to a row of sharp stones up ahead and asked.
It’s camouflage,” Zane said. Under those, there is a pit. You’re wolf chow if you make one incorrect move.
I mumbled, “Lovely,” as I cautiously followed his lead.
Kane’s eyes briefly softened as he looked back at me. “Remain near me, Melissa.”
Even though my heart was racing, I told him, “I’m not going anywhere.”
We proceeded into the woodland, dodging concealed obstacles and barely missing Damon’s wolf patrols. My nerves grew weaker with every interaction.
Zane muttered, “We’re almost there,” as we came around a sharp bend. “Just over this ridge is the entrance.”
With his hand never far from his sword, Kane whispered, “Let’s hope you’re right.”
A huge fortress cut into the mountainside, and the stronghold loomed ahead. As we squeezed through a small opening Zane had indicated, my breath caught.
Tension permeated the air as we made our way through the dark hallways. I couldn’t understand the meanings of the odd symbols that studded the walls.
“This way,” Zane said in a whisper as he guided us farther into the maze.
I had never seen a chamber like the one we entered. The walls were packed with shelves that held disintegrating books and old scrolls. A pedestal with a bright orb on it stood in the middle.
“What is this location?” My question was hardly audible above a whisper.
“That’s a library,” Zane declared. “Damon has spent years gathering information about your lineage and the curse.”
I took a stride toward the pedestal, my face glowing uncannily in the orb’s illumination. I reached for one of the scrolls, my fingers shaking.
“Melissa, exercise caution,” Kane cautioned, looking around the room for danger.
I unrolled the scroll and said, “I have to know.” Even though the words were written in a language I didn’t understand, I appeared to pick up on their meaning as I read them.
“The curse is the reason,” I whispered. “A strong force is connected to my lineage. Damon hopes to utilize it to bring something to life, something destructive and old.
Kane stepped forward, his face serious. “We must depart. Right now.
A menacing laugh reverberated across the room as the door slammed shut and we turned to leave. My heart fell.
“Well, well, well,” Damon muttered as he emerged from the darkness. Malice shone in his black eyes. “What are we holding here?”
Kane snarled and pulled out his blade, saying, “Damon.”
Damon looked directly at me and stated, “It’s too late.” “You’ve directly stepped into my trap.”
Damon waved his hand before I could respond, and I was thrown to the ground by a sudden surge of electricity. When Kane pounced at him, Damon was too quick and easily avoided his blows.
Grasping the scroll tightly, I stumbled to my feet. I answered, trembling but defiant, “You won’t win.”
Damon chuckled. Yes, but I’ve already done so. I want you to be exactly where you are.
Zane took a step forward, his hands up. “Hold on! I didn’t consent to this.
Damon smirked as he turned to face him. “Zane, you’ve fulfilled your duty. Now move aside.
“You misled us,” I yelled, my rage rising. “You were always employed by him.”
Zane’s face wavered, his eyes glimmering with shame. “That’s not what you believe.”
I lifted the scroll and directed my energy into it before Damon could hit again. A ray of light burst forth, striking Damon directly in the chest. His smirk turned to a sneer as he staggered backwards.
He screamed, “You’ll pay for that,” yet he moved slowly, as though the strength of the scroll had worn him out.
“Now, Kane!” I yelled.
Kane sprang at Damon and struck him, sending him spinning. But before we could gain the upper hand, Damon disappeared into the darkness, his laughter resonating throughout the room.
As Kane turned to face Zane with his blade still drawn, the tension in the room was evident. “Speak up. Right now.
Despite the threat, Zane’s voice remained firm as he stated, “I was never working for Damon.” “I’ve been working undercover, attempting to dismantle him from within.”
“Do you think we’ll believe that?” Kane narrowed his gaze and demanded.
Zane looked directly into my eyes and replied, “I don’t care what you believe.” “I’m here because, like you, I want him dead.”
“So why did you not tell us the truth right away?” My voice trembled as I asked.
“Because I couldn’t take the chance,” Zane stated. “Damon would have killed me and everyone I spoke to if he had known.”
Kane’s visage stayed grim as he gently lowered his blade. “I’ll kill you myself if you betray us once more.”
Zane grinned grimly and replied, “Fair enough.”
I kept thinking that Zane wasn’t telling us everything as we got ready to leave the room. His actions had put everything into disarray, and his motivations were still unknown.
Cliffhanger: The earth started to shake as we left the room. The stronghold reverberated with a low rumble, and the walls began to fracture. “What’s going on?” Panic rising in my chest, I asked.
With a pale expression, Zane said, “It’s Damon.” “He’s arousing it.”
The floor collapsed beneath us, leaving us in complete darkness before I could inquire what “it” was.