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Hades was grazing beside Ares, as usual. Grabbing her leathers from a stump, she rushed over, threw the saddle on her and mounted. There was no time for a bridle.
Thessa grabbed the mane and roared, “Go.”
Hades bucked into a canter, bypassing a walk. Thessa’s mind buzzed while they flossed through trees and into the never-ending fields of Wilcrest. She knew this land well by now. The ground shifted from blades of green to a honeybee’s dream as she neared the sea.
The sound of strong hoofbeats thundered from behind her. A peek over her shoulder revealed Ares closing in. Thessa cursed the setting sun.
Reaching the cliff’s edge, she dismounted, tied Hades as quickly as she could, and started scaling the rocks. She needed to be alone. Soren was controlling and arrogant, and most of all, a liar.
“Thessa, stop,” Soren shouted down, seated astride a restless Ares.
“Why are you following me?”
“Why are you running away?” he countered.
“Just leave me alone. I need space,” she yelled as her feet landed on the smooth sand. “And don’t follow me.” He needed to let her have this.
Soren yelled back, “You shouldn’t go in there this late.”
“Just go away,” she bellowed from the shoreline.
He went silent.
Good.
Ducking into the sea cave Soren had taken her to when she first came to Wilcrest, Thessa crashed to her knees. Tears welled in eyes, but she’d be damned if they fell. Setting her forehead down, she formed a shell with her body and breathed. The cool, damp air soothed her, but the smell of salt air and fresh moss were too strong.
It reminded her too much ofhim.
She lifted her head, regretting her choice to come here. But it wasn’t like she had many places to go. She eyed the back of the cave, where the walls tapered into darkness. Desperate for a distraction, escape, or whatever it was she needed, Thessa stood.
One step at a time, she crossed the threshold she was told not to, entering a cavernous tunnel. The farther she walked, the less light there was. Even the air was heavier as water dripped down from the walls.
She was careful, avoiding the sharp, stony deposits scattered above and below her. Bending with the cave, she followed the path into … nothingness. Curiosity be damned, she kept going, running her fingers across the wet stone and dodging rocks along the way.
Eventually, the tight space led to steps.
Steps?
She ascended slowly.
They led to a chamber, but it was too dark to see anything. Thessa squinted, letting her eyes adjust.
Hundreds of thousands of tiny pearl-like eggs filled the space, and the largest serpent she’d ever seen—bigger than her—was curled atop them. Its forked tongue flicked once.
Then twice.
It launched.
39
LECTURE NOTES FROM REALM RULES & METHODOLOGY:
Keep your wits about you. The Immortal Realm may be a sanctuary for witches, but there’s plenty of trouble to get into.
Thessa whirled around, bolting down the stairs and back through the damp tunnel of stone.
The creature slithered behind her, hissing its wicked song. She wouldn’t dare look; the cave was full of sharp rocks that were just as threatening. She swept right, dodging the one to her left.