Part 25 (1/2)

You escape and we answer for it, he said. Now shut up and listen. I cant let you go, but I can give you some info that might help you. First off, dont let Zunya touch you”ever. Youll lose your power for good after a few minutes of contact. Its way worse than my power-eater. You gotta avoid it at all cost, or youre done for.

Gee, thanks, thats really helpful, she said, not quite managing to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

You want to hear what I gotta say, or you want me to throw you in a dungeon cell thats infested with snakes? he said, towering over her threateningly.

She was still weak, but she was tempted to take him on anyway. Then Cyruss and Henrys faces flashed through her mind, and she thought better of it. If Shade had information that could help her, she owed it to them to listen. Sorry, go on.

Shade nodded, satisfied with her apology, and continued. Zunyas not the worst thing in this castle. Theres this crazy lady whos the boss of him, and you got to stay on her good side. If you dont, youll either wind up in a cell until the end of time or youll disappear forever. Even Zunya obeys her.

Is it only the two of them? I mean, if we all attacked at once, we could defeat them for sure!

Shade snorted. Not likely. Besides all the invisible guards they have with all sorts of powers, theres another guy who comes here, too. I dont know anything about him, except that whenever hes here, theres always lots of screaming. I get me and my gang outta here then.

Is he here now?

Nah, I dont think so. Its too quiet, he said as he opened a tall arched door. He led Valerie down a long hall lined with cells on either side. Inside, silent shadows hunched in the corners of the cells, barely moving. They were the prisoners, she realized. It was eerily quiet for a prison, and she sensed that terrible, unspeakable things had happened to make these prisoners so silent and motionless.

I know this is a lot to ask, Shade, but my friends are coming to help me. When they came before, they couldnt find the castle on their own.

He nodded knowingly. It can only be found if the person coming has permission, or someone who does have permission shows them the way, he explained.

Would you show them the path if”when”they come?

He glanced around nervously, and her heart sank. But then, to her surprise, he said, Ill do what I can. No promises. Im not gonna do anything that gets me or mine killed. All right, were here, he said, leading her to a cell. Then he whispered, Its the cell next to your friend, the lightweaver guy. Im not sure what happened to him, but he dont look so good.

If she didnt know better, Valerie would almost swear that Shade looked worried. Looking into his eyes, she said earnestly, Thank you, Shade.

My real names Jack. And, uh, good luck or whatever, he said, and then closed her cell with a clang. He and his gang scurried down the hall, clearly eager to be away from the eerie, dark prison.

Cy? Valerie called, wis.h.i.+ng more than ever for a little light. There was no response. h.e.l.lo?

Not a single prisoner responded. She suddenly wondered if Jack had lied, and she was alone here, buried underground, forgotten, forever. Her friends would never know what happened to her, and eventually they would forget about her while she rotted down here. She thought the darkness would eat her alive, and it would be as if she had never existed.

Chapter 41.

Panic rose inside of Valerie, and the Laurel Circle grew noticeably colder on her thumb. But before her fear could swallow her up, she heard the sound of someone moaning softly in the cell next to her. She went over to the bars that separated her from the cell next to her and called, Cy, is that you? Its going to be okay.

Val?

She looked down to see Cyrus curled into a tight ball, s.h.i.+vering. Tears filled her eyes, and she knelt down. Its me.

She touched his cold hands through the bars. Were going to die, arent we? he asked. His voice sounded lifeless.

Rage rose up in her. Whoever had taken away the light and life from his eyes would pay. Fury infused her with energy, and the magic that had disappeared when Zunya was near welled up inside of her. She allowed herself to relish the feeling before she turned back to Cyrus. What happened to you?

That woman, Sanguina, asked me questions about you. When I wouldnt answer, she hurt me, he said, his voice hoa.r.s.e. I tried to fight back, to use light to scare her away like I did last time. I did my best, Val, I swear! But there is so little light to pull from inside of this place not nearly enough to hurt her. Im sorry.

Without realizing it, she clenched her hands into fists. She had never yearned to make someone suffer before, but now there was nothing she craved so badly as to make Sanguina beg her for mercy”and then to deny her plea. The darkness inside of Valerie frightened her a little, and she forced herself to breathe slowly. She needed to channel her anger and adrenaline as Gideon had taught her, not waste it on her hate.

You didnt fail. This is my fault”she never would have kidnapped you if it werent for me. But one way or another, Im going to stop her, I swear.

No! Stay away from her and Zunya! Theyre too strong, and the more scared you are, the more pain youre in, the more they love it. Fear and pain are like food to them.

Hearing Cyrus sound so defeated made Valerie feel physically sick. It isnt over yet, she said softly.

I wish there was a little light in here, something to drive the darkness away. It feels like Im going to disappear inside it.

For the first time, she remembered the flower of light that she always kept in her pocket. Gently, she took it out and held it up to the bars. Cyruss face, streaked with dirt and blood, appeared in the soft, golden light. He looked exhausted and scared, but a small smile appeared as he took the flower in his hands. As she watched, the light seemed to put life back into Cyruss blue eyes, and he looked more like the mischievous boy she knew. She could hear the other prisoners stirring in their cells, aroused from their silent stupor by the little flower of pure light.

I know it seems hopeless, but I have a plan. Zunya captured me, but before he did, I sent my sword back to the callbox. This time, when I face Sanguina, Ill be ready. Ill be armed, and if I can channel my magic, I know I have a chance.

Cyruss face became thoughtful. Call the sword. I have an idea.

Pathos! she said, and it instantly appeared in her hand.

Hold it here, next to the bars, he said. Then Cyrus concentrated, staring at the flower that he held gently.

She watched, mesmerized, as the flower melted into a pool of light in his hands. Then he poured the light from his hands onto the blade, and Pathos glowed from hilt to tip. Now send it back to the callbox. With your powers, a weapon, and a little light, I think you can beat her, I really do.

By the glow of the sword, she saw that hope had returned to his eyes. Pathos! she said, and the sword disappeared. She heard Cyrus sigh softly, already missing the light. Then they sat back-to-back in their cells, whispering to each other about the best strategy to use when she fought Sanguina.

The sound of her cell door being wrenched open interrupted their whispers.

Sanguina is asking for you, a strange voice said, and someone grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the cell.

Val! Cyrus cried.

Im okay”Ill see you soon, I swear! she said, trying to sound brave.

In the dim light, she saw that it was a transparent Conjuror who was yanking her down the hall. He was much more difficult to see than Blake had been, so his power must still be new.

By the sound of the scuffling of feet all around her, she guessed that at least ten other transparent Conjurors were also guarding her to make sure she didnt escape. She tried to calm her thumping heart and concentrate on her plan”call for her sword, channel her magic, fight Sanguina.

If Valerie could take her down, chaos would ensue, and with a little luck, she would be able to rescue Cyrus in the mayhem. But she had trouble collecting her scattered thoughts, and her terror of facing Sanguina again seemed to choke her magic, making it feel like a trickle running through her body instead of the flood that she needed to win.

Suddenly, Henry pulled on her mind. She desperately tried to resist his call, but his terror was so great that she had no choice.

Venu stood out like a dark shadow against the verdant green gra.s.slands of the African landscape. He loomed over Henry, who was curled in a ball on the ground, his entire body shaking. Venu lifted his boot and kicked the boy in the back. The sharp pain rippled through his body, and tears streamed down his face.

Please, no more. Ill do it, Ill do it.

Venu pulled back his leg, preparing to kick him again when Sanguina appeared.