Gathering Darkness

Cleo studied the map, which had closed in on a section of land that looked to be smoldering and smoking. A symbol had already been etched into the map’s light. A triangle.

Fire.

“It’s different here. I feel that this crystal has already been awakened.” Lucia shook her head. “But that’s impossible, isn’t it?”

“Of course it’s impossible.” Alexius studied the map with a concerned expression. “Princess, this could be a sign that your magic is growing weak—”

“Fire,” Lucia said, ignoring him. “I awaken you. I awaken the fire Kindred here in this chosen place of power.”

Three crystals. Cleo couldn’t believe it. But it was true: Three crystals had been awakened, ready to be claimed.

“One more,” Lucia whispered, her voice weaker now, though her eyes were as bright as tiny suns. “I can do this.”

“Lucia.” Alexius reached for her and grasped her wrist. “This is too much for you.”

“You’re wrong.” She tried to pull away, but failed. “I’m strong enough!”

“Yes, you’re strong. But this is enough for now. I insist.”

Cleo watched as Alexius’s hand began to glow. Lucia drew in a ragged breath, finally breaking her concentration. The purple light in her eyes faded as she turned a furious look upon Alexius. But then, the next moment, she collapsed in his arms, unconscious.

The ring stopped spinning and its magical light went out.

The map disappeared as if it had never been there in the first place.

“You did that,” Cleo said, her voice hushed. “You stopped her.”

Alexius glanced at her. “She was harming herself, pushing herself too far. I couldn’t let that happen.”

Lucia began to rouse. She blinked and looked up at Alexius, who cradled her in his arms. “How long was I asleep?”

“Only moments. And before you ask: No, we will not be trying again today.”

“But we were so close! The water crystal—”

“Can wait until I deem it’s time to do this spell again,” he said, more sternly than any tutor Cleo had ever had.

Cleo leaned over and picked up her ring. She held it tightly as they all rose to their feet, Alexius assisting Lucia. She wanted to pinch herself, to know for sure that this had really happened, that it hadn’t only been a dream.

Earth, air, fire. She knew where they were and how to claim them.

Three out of four wasn’t bad at all.

But she knew she had to do something that couldn’t be postponed a moment longer.

“Lucia,” Cleo said, moving toward the princess. “I’ve seen for myself that what Alexius said is true. I don’t know how this ring came into my family, but now that I know what it really is, what it can do . . . I want you to wear it.”

She pressed the ring into Lucia’s hand. The other princess looked down at it with amazement.

Lucia could have taken this from Cleo easily, but it was best to give it up of her own free will before the sorceress had the chance.

It was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do.

Lucia looked at her, her blue eyes filled with genuine gratitude. “This ring is proof that we were meant to meet. It was fate that our paths crossed the way they did. You’ve proven yourself to be a true and loyal friend today. Thank you.”

Oh, it was definitely fate. Of that, Cleo had no doubt. “I ask only one thing in return,” she said.

“What?”

Cleo forced confidence, bravery. She would not show any weakness.

“That when you go to claim the first crystal,” she said, “you’ll let me join you.”

Lucia slipped the ring onto the middle finger of her right hand and stared down at it, transfixed.

Then she grasped Cleo’s hands in hers before pulling Cleo into a tight hug. “Of course. You’ll be with us, I swear it.”

CHAPTER 21

JONAS

AURANOS

Tarus’s parents, still in mourning for their younger son who had died after being forced to fight in the battle for the Auranian palace, received him with tears in their eyes and words of gratitude toward Jonas and his friends.

After a full week of travel to and from Paelsia, Jonas, Felix, and Lysandra returned to the village of Viridy, and they went immediately to the Silver Toad. After several nights of sleeping outside under the stars and braving the elements, Jonas decided they’d stay at the inn for the night.

“This is because of me, isn’t it?” Lysandra said outside her room. “I don’t need a soft bed and a roof over my head. I don’t need to be pampered.”

Jonas disagreed. Although she’d been making a valiant effort, he knew it would take her much more time to move past her ordeal in the dungeon.

“Speak for yourself,” he said. “You might not feel like a little pampering, but I do. So we’re staying, no more argument. Just try to get some sleep. I’ll check on you later.”

He closed the door and descended the staircase to the tavern, which was currently deserted. The owner, a man named Galyn, wasn’t here tonight, but his white-haired father, Bruno, was behind the bar, rubbing it vigorously with a cloth.

Felix sat at the same table they’d occupied back on the Day of Flames, when they’d recruited Petros to their cause. Jonas wasn’t sure what had become of the boy after the attack, but he hoped never to cross paths with him again. Irresponsible fool.

“Sleeping beauty’s doing well?” Felix asked, his hand curled around a tankard of ale.