“Not worried. Scared.”
“I see,” he said, his gaze drifting toward the doors where our companions followed the witch. “In that case, the feeling is mutual.”
I glanced up at him. Kull didn’t get scared. I wasn’t sure the word was in his vocabulary. “You’re scared? That’s hard to believe.”
He smiled and took my hand. “I know it seems impossible, but it’s true. I have an ill feeling about this journey. We travel to a place unknown, where I put not only my own life in jeopardy, but also the lives of my men and my sister.” His smile faded. “Worse, I will be putting your life in jeopardy.” A haunted look crossed his face. He’d told me before that he could never go on without me. I believed him. “But,” he said, “we have to reclaim the sword. At this point, we have no other options. If we want to stop Theht and save our world, then finding the sword of Dracon must be done.”
“Then let’s get this over with.”
“I agree.”
I walked with Kull’s hand in mine toward the doors and out of the ballroom, casting one last glance over my shoulder at my stepfather. Somehow, I knew he would be okay. Silvestra could be irrational and cruel at times, but she would protect her own kind. Even if she had tried to kill him not long ago.
But she was different now. At least, I hoped so.
Kull and I caught up with our companions just as they approached the main gates leading outside. No one spoke as we followed the witch out into the night.
I wrapped my cloak around my body as the wind gusted. Silvestra, carrying a lantern with green magical flames, led us around her castle and onto a narrow trail leading up the mountain. Boulders and patches of snow replaced the vegetation as we climbed higher. The silver glow cast from a crescent moon shone weakly, although Silvestra’s lantern gave off enough light for us to see the path ahead.
My heart raced the closer we neared the cave. I wasn’t ready to go back and face the demons that haunted it. I held the staff of Zaladin in a firm grip, letting its magic infuse mine, helping to calm me.
In the greenish glow of Silvestra’s lantern, the scars on my wrists stood out more than usual. I hated those scars—hated the memories they brought up. And now I returned to the place where the creature who had put them there tried to kill me. But the bloodthorn was dead now, and I was pretty sure I feared crossing into the third world more than I feared him.
None of this mattered. Being afraid didn’t matter. I would face my demons any day if it meant I stopped that asteroid—and if it meant I rid myself of Theht’s presence.
The wind grew colder, and ice formed along our path. I slipped on a patch, but managed to stay upright and continue forward.
As we approached the mountaintop, the wind grew shriller, like the screams of lost souls all mingled together, a haunting sound that announced we’d arrived.
I stood with the others as we stopped.
In the eerie glow of Silvestra’s lantern, we stared into a giant fissure splitting the mountain—the entrance to the cave.
Chapter 5
Our group camped on the mountainside and got a few hours of sleep, although I wasn’t sure why we couldn’t have slept in the castle. If it was because Silvestra was determined to make it here before sunrise, I couldn’t blame her.
We awoke before the sun rose. The moon had disappeared, replaced by thick clouds that made the air smell of rain and hid the stars. After gathering our things and replacing our sleeping packs, we stood at the entrance of the cave.
A portal guarded the entrance, but the witch whispered a word of magic and stripped the spell away. We followed her inside. Walking the path through the cavern made old memories resurface.
Officer Gardener being held prisoner by the bloodthorn. What remained of the bloodthorn’s body smeared across the floor. Being horrified at how I was capable of such violence.
Worse, I remembered Theht infecting my mind with her presence.
My thoughts were interrupted when we reached the portal chamber. We crossed into the room, stood at its center, and faced the portal.
Blue light glowed from the reflective surface, taking up the cavern’s entire back wall—the largest portal I’d ever seen. Long streamers of sparkling magic danced through its surface. Reluctantly, I had to admit it was sort of pretty, even though it was leading us to a doomed world.
“What do we do now?” Rolf asked.
Silvestra spoke up. “Everyone except Olive must step to the portal and place their hands on its surface.” They did as she said, and then Silvestra glanced at me.
“Olive, whenever you are ready, place your hand on the portal and open the gateway.”
I approached, its magic making my skin tingle as I stopped in front of it. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and placed my fingers against it.
Magic punched me. I gritted my teeth against the pain and stood tall, letting my own magic balance the portal’s power. But as I did, a howling wind came from the surface, drowning out any other sounds. The wind tore at my skin and clothes, so strong it was nearly impossible to remain upright.
I turned to the witch. “What’s happening?”
“You must open the portal or it will tear you apart!”
“Couldn’t you have warned me sooner?”
“You must open it now!”
Turning to face the portal once again, I tried to focus on opening it. Usually I needed a clear mind, but concentrating on staying calm when I was about to be torn apart was slightly difficult.
Conjuring the spell word in my head, I attempted to say it aloud, but for some unknown reason, fear gripped me, making it impossible for me to utter it. I tried again, keeping my magic inside until the fear died down.
The wind’s intensity increased. Sparks of lightning shot
