“Excellent.” Chuckling like a cartoon villain, L’zar wrinkled his nose above his predatory grin and nodded. “That’s good, but we have to be sure. Check the Cuil Aní, Cheyenne. Have Corian bring it to you, wherever you are. Tonight. Use the Don’adurr again as soon as you know what’s happened. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Come on, I don’t even—”
The world spun madly around her, then she felt like she was falling through the sky before her eyes flew open. Cheyenne gasped and doubled over, her head jutting over the side of the bed as she heaved. Nothing came up, but she gave herself a moment just in case. Once her breathing had slowed and the dizziness had faded, she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling of her old room.
“I should’ve dumped that stupid potion on the ground.”
She snatched her phone from the bedside table and texted Corian.
Had another visit. Anytime you wanna bring that box over would be great. Call first if you’re gonna show up.
Double-checking to make sure the phone wasn’t on silent, she turned the volume up all the way and put the phone back down on the nightstand. Then she turned over again with her back to the bookshelf and closed her eyes. He’ll call or he won’t. I’ll check that stupid puzzle box tomorrow, but I’m not gonna lose sleep over it tonight.
L’zar paced back and forth in his cell at Chateau D’rahl, whispering to himself in the darkness of Alpha Block. “It’s been three goddamn hours. What’s taking them so long?”
Some asshole several cells over let out a massive fart. The orc in the cell next door turned over in his sleep with a grunt, the cot squeaking and as his hand and forearm thumped against the stone wall.
The drow glanced up at the red light keeping watch beside the guard tower, then spun around again and paced back across his cell. Something’s not right. Another portal, right there in front of her. If she told him about the fire, he’d know we’re close. He’d get her that fucking box already.
Another frustrated growl escaped him, but he squashed it back down again before it grew any louder. I have to be sure. This whole thing’s a waste of time unless I’m sure.
An inmate fell into a fit of dry, hacking coughs, and L’zar shook his head. “I can’t. She’ll reach out.”
His other neighbor smacked the wall, either in sleep or to get the muttering drow to quit talking to himself.
For two more hours, L’zar paced back and forth across his tiny, useless cell, turning the old crone’s prophecy over and over in his mind. I can’t risk it, not after I’ve gotten this far. Not after twenty-one years of breaking through the veil.
He felt the tug at his core again; had been feeling it since before lights out, when he thought he’d lost another young magical he’d been so sure would make it this time. Not just another one. She’s different. She found me. That’s worth something.
The door to the guard tower creaked open and shut with a bang as the night guard on duty stepped out to relieve himself. The drow heard the man muttering about drinking too much coffee.
But she’s not safe. L’zar spun again and paced back toward the bars. That’s what this is. If Corian can’t find her tonight, it’s over. And I can’t do anything from this fell-damn joke of a hellhole.
When he reached the bars at the front of his cell, the drow slowly reached out and curled his fingers around two of them. Gripping the bars, he pressed his face against the cold iron and glanced at the empty guard tower. He took a deep breath and tried to dampen the urgency overwhelming him, stronger than it had been almost twenty-two years ago.
By the time he opened his eyes again, his rapid breathing had calmed, and he’d made up his mind.
I can’t let her face this alone. There’s still a chance she’ll make it, but not if no one’s with her when the Crown makes her move.
He released the bars and slowly withdrew, his gold eyes glowing in the darkness. Then the drow who’d spent the last seventy years in Chateau D’rahl by choice turned toward the back of his cell and glared at the stone wall. Fuck this. I’m getting out early.
The End
The adventure continues in The Drow There and Nothing More. Dark magic is seeping into this realm from the other side of the portal. Cheyenne Summerlin is mastering her abilities, completing the Drow trials to unlock that puzzle box. Now, to claim her true legacy and the only power strong enough to stop the coming threat. The Goth Drow halfling must cross the border herself to face the enemy in her father’s world.
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Dark Is Her Nature
For Hire: Teachers for special school in Virginia countryside.
Must be able to handle teenagers with special abilities.
Cannot be afraid to discipline werewolves, wizards, elves and other assorted hormonal teens.
Apply at the School of Necessary Magic.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON RETAILERS AND IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!
The Magic Compass
If smart phones and GPS rule the world - why am I hunting a magic compass to save the planet?
Austin Detective Maggie Parker has seen some weird things in her day, but finding a surly gnome rooting through her garage beats all.
Her world is about to be turned upside down in a frantic search for 4 Elementals.
Each one has an artifact that can keep the Earth humming along, but they need her to unite them first.
Unless the forces against her get there first.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AND IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!
Author Notes - Martha Carr
March 31, 2020
Afternoon everyone. Notes from the dream house where
