Bastian walks over, and Jazmin smiles, “I know how to get into the palace, undetected!” She grabs his hand, and they run outside. Jazmin points and they see two stone turtles in the distance.
“There’s a hidden tunnel beneath one of the turtles, but which one?” She asks.
“Easy enough to determine, we look for the one that is the closest to the palace. They would not have been able to dig that far, without being heard or seen.”
As they walk away from the palace, they do not see the eyes watching them. The angel turns as though blown by the wind and watches the two figures. When the wind blows just right the trumpet sounds, and Jazmin jumps as the music floats across the grasslands. The first stone lion begins to crack, as it shakes itself from its thousand-year slumber.
“Bastian?” Jazmin calls in wide-eyed shock.
“We need to hurry!” They pick up the pace and find the giant turtle, with the carved stone scarf around its neck. Bastian looks around in frustration and attempts to push the turtle.
The trumpet sounds a second time, and cracking is heard beneath the fountain. A second lion blinks and begins to awaken. Jazmin drops down to try to dig around with her hands, while Bastian looks closely at the eyes. Bastian calls on his magic and tries to slide the turtle, nothing.
The third sound of the trumpet sounds and Jazmin jumps, and that’s when she notices her necklace. The stone turtle, the boy, gave her is lifting as though attracted to the larger turtle. A roar like the sound of lion cuts across the plains and Bastian pulls Jazmin to her feet. Looking behind him towards the fountain, he watches in horror as the angel spins pointing directly at them and sounds the horn again! With the final blow, the last lion breaks free! The leader calls to its brothers, and they bound towards them.
“Bastian, it’s magnetized! Look!” Jazmin drops to her knees and looks closely at the scarf. Her eyes fly open in surprise when she spots a space the exact size of the little stone. When she slips the stone into place, a great creaking sound is heard. They jump back as the turtle begins to slide forward revealing a set of stone steps. Bastian urges, “Go, Jazmin, I will be right behind you!”
The lion’s skid to a stop, showering them with debris. Bastian and Jazmin are now surrounded on all four sides by enormous stone lions. Jazmin screams when they roar in unison, covering her ears against the deafening sound.
“Go!” Bastian shouts in her mind and flashes away. He soars into the air and sinks his Golden sword straight down into the stone beast’s forehead. Jazmin hears the sounds of lions roaring as she runs down the steps and her heart drops.
“He’s Fae, Jaz. He’ll be okay,” she tells herself. She looks around the dark tunnel and walks back a few feet, turning when she hears the scream of a wounded animal. Another flash of bright light and a shadow fills the entrance to the tunnel.
“Bastian,” she calls out as she steps forward. Her scream dies in her throat as a lion makes it past him, into the tunnel. Jazmin knows better than to run.
Careful not to make any sudden movements, she takes a step back, and the lion drops his head stalking her. She freezes as his eyes go completely black; locking in on her movement, he leaps straight at her. Jazmin holds her breath and brings her pistol up and unloads into the demonic feline face. The third round shatters the beast’s face and sprays stone dust into the air.
Jazmin tries to stop the trembling as she stands over the dead animal’s body clicking her pistol repeatedly.
Bastian leaps down and flashes past the cat, pulling her close, he takes the gun from her hand. “You did well, for a human.”
Jazmin snaps out of her shock and whirls on him, only to find him smiling at her. His smile fades when he sees the tears fill her eyes, “Bastian, I thought you were….”
“I am Fae, I will not fade that easily.” He whispers softly pulling her into his embrace. “They know we are here now. We have to hurry.” He pulls her along behind him, as they move deeper into the tunnel.
Jazmin follows clutching his hand and notices that he is dressed in armor. Bastian looks every bit like a Master Guardsman, carrying a sword and crossbow.
Above the fountain, the angel sounds its mournful tune, and the four serpents break free. They slither down inside the top of the tree, to wait for the thieves who dare to enter this hallowed ground.
“Bastian, who knows we’re here?” She asks as they run through the tunnel illuminated by his magic.
Chapter 12
Caderyn follows the beautiful Fae male through space and is confused. Reese would have no powers if he were stripped of his gifts. She’s afraid, but she knows this is her last chance to save Drake.
“Caderyn, do not follow him! He is shadow! I command you, to turn around!” Drake insists.
With a grim smile, she snaps, “Stop distracting me! Save your energy, my love, you will need it to save our people!”
Rainbow strobes of light flicker past and begin to slow, and Caderyn’s feet touch down once more on the rocky ground from her dreams. A look of surprise shows on her face, as she turns to face Reese. The sound of the ocean pounds on the shore, and she struggles not to show her feelings.
“Which way to Drake?” She asks quietly.
“This way, my Queen,” he begins to walk quickly
