“There must be something else I can give you. The necklace holds sentimental value; it’s special. Please ask for anything else you want,” I beg. My scar is burning even more and I need to win, but is this worth it? Losing something so precious, because I want to get closer to Jorgen.
“You have no choice, young Wyvern. You either leave without the necklace, with your crystals, or we cut off your limbs. Make a decision. I don’t like wasting my time.”
Chapter 14
The thief.
“It was a pleasure doing business with you, shifter girl,” general Zishan says, holding my mother’s necklace in his hand. I can’t believe I’m doing this, giving away something that’s worth more than anything else I’ve ever owned – it’s priceless to me.
I wait for him to hand me the stones while an incredible sadness washes over me.
It’s a huge sacrifice and after everything that’s happened, I need to make sure Sebastian doesn’t come back first. I made a promise to myself I would do anything to avenge my parents.
The general goes back to his desk and opens the button drawer. He takes out three shiny stones. The crystals are blue, red and white. Their energy swells through me, similar to a blazing, ball of electricity—I’m instantly showered with warm and fuzzy feelings. It’s a small conciliation for what I’m forced to give up in exchange.
“The white protects your creature from fire. Red will help you find your way out of danger,” the general explains. “The blue sharpens your mind and soul. Use them wisely.”
I stare at the stones that have absolutely no meaning to me, breaking into a million pieces inside. At the moment, I have to do this, but once Jorgen pays for all the evil things he’s done, I’ll come back here to claim my mother’s necklace, with or without their permission. Or we’ll see just how much they enjoy my fire song—roasted troll. I’m sure it’s a delicacy somewhere.
I give him a stiff nod and try to find a silver lining in the whole situation, but there is none. Poppius vanished earlier and I wish I’d never trusted the lying scum bag, but at least I have my crystals now.
The general opens the door and I take my leave, escorted by Eleonora. Trolls are staring at me again as I pass through different rooms, but I don’t pay attention to them.
I feel like a piece of me is missing already. My chest cracks open and I can’t breathe. Everything I knew about myself before I was hit with my own blow-back spell is kind of blurry. It’s as if that part of me died with them and my own subconscious won’t allow me to remember. I often wonder if Jorgen placed a memory spell on me to forget them in that chamber of horrors. Did he know I lived? So many unanswered questions…
“Are you really the Wyvern creature? I can’t believe it. I thought most of your kind was slaughtered?” the female troll asks in a whisper once we finally get back to the wide tunnel.
“I’m sure there are other Wyverns out there. I can’t be the only one left,” I say, wondering why the trolls believe I’m something special.
Eleonora doesn’t seem to believe me. Her expression shifts from surprise to confusion. Other trolls go about their business, but a few stop and stare at me. I need to get out of here, and back to the castle.
“No, you’re wrong. The other Wyverns are all dead. They’ve been killed because of their magic. You must stay safe, because if other shifters find out what you are, you’ll be in great danger,” she says, then turns around abruptly and goes back through the tunnel. I’m slightly baffled, trying to figure out what the hell that’s supposed to mean. Eleonora works for the general. She shouldn’t know anything about Wyverns. Trolls have their own history and tradition. They don’t know anything about shifters. The crystals feel heavy in my pocket and I look around, wondering how I’m going to find my way back now without Poppius. The mine seems much busier than before, and all the trolls seem to be rushing somewhere.
I’m shocked to spot Poppius. He’s waiting for me by the trolley. I get inside without saying anything – I just glare at him. He lied to me and it’s because of him I lost the most important memory of my mother. Piece of shit traitor. Yeah, Linen is definitely rubbing off on me.
“The trolley will take you back to the end of the mine, you should find your way back from there, Wyvern creature,” he tells me, releasing a blockage by the wheels. The trolley starts moving and once I’m out of everyone’s sight, tears slip from my eyes. I should’ve fought harder to keep the necklace.
My aunt refused to tell me if she had anything belonging to my parents, and I found the necklace in a pair of old clothes after I left the hospital. I never told them about it, because I knew they’d try to take it away. She said their house was burned to the ground, and everything was destroyed. She never allowed me to find out the truth. Even after I turned eighteen, I had no idea where to look for clues.
The trolley gains speed, and I close my eyes trying to forget about the bile rising in my stomach. The cold air feels great against my skin. I can finally breathe freely in the tunnels. Jorgen must have had a reason for murdering my parents. When the time comes, I’ll confront him. Maybe for once, he’ll tell me the truth, because I’m done with lies and deceit. I need to know about everything that happened the day my parents were killed.
When the trolley finally stops, pitch-black darkness surrounds me. I don’t have my fire torch, so I use the red crystal to show me the way back. I have no idea how much time has passed, but surely the others couldn’t have located all the crystals before me.
The crystal’s energy directs me toward the East, and I climb over the rocks. I pause for a second to hear loud rumbling up ahead. A few large stones drop next to me and I move away quickly, wondering what the hell’s going on. I’ve had enough surprises for one day. I officially hate trolls.
The other two stones are glowing, blue and white light illuminates through my pocket. As if in a living vision, I see myself lying on the ground. I’m hurt and bleeding, while Sebastian stands there, staring back at me with a sadistic smile. I’m really beginning to hate that shifter. He’s just as evil as the duke. No doubt, he’s probably killed before, but that’s just my own musing. He’s just a sadistic arsehole,
The ground underneath my feet begins to shake and stones are falling down all around me. Sharp panic claws my insides as I jump away when a large rock rushes next to me. I lose the red crystal, trying to save myself as more and more rocks fall, coming my way. The avalanche of stones forces me to jump again and when I try to move, my leg gets trapped between the edges of luminous crystals. Pain bursts out along my foot when I try to pull my leg free. Tiny, sharp edges of the crystal are piercing my skin and it looks like I’m stuck.
“Hey, little girl. Thanks for the present. I’ve been trying to locate these crystals for hours now.”
I turn around seeing Sebastian appear out of nowhere. He has the red crystal I dropped earlier; he keeps tossing it up and down, taunting me. Shock ripples through me, swiftly followed by hot fury and rage. This isn’t happening to me. No one can be that unlucky. Did that sorry piece of shit cause an avalanche? Is that what the stone was trying to show me in the vision?
“That’s mine, you thief! Leave it!” I scream, trying to pull my legs, but sharp pain nearly causes me to pass out. Sebastian’s lips curl in a mocking, almost knowing smile. He looks like he’s been through hell too, just not enough for my taste. He has large purple bruises all over his arms and his face is swollen in places. I could do better if I wasn’t stuck in these damn rocks.
“It’s nothing personal, Astri. I just need to win and I can’t be beaten by some scarred girl. I have a reputation to preserve. We both knew you never stood a chance,” he chuckles, winks at me and then disappears between the rocks.
I scream after him, my body’s in a rage, whirling through me mixing with frustration and a storm of other emotions. I should have known from the very beginning Sebastian was never planning to play by the rules. I need to beat him at his own game. Big girls don’t need to play fair and as f
ar as I’m concerned, he took my favourite new toy. Game on, Sebastian.
I do the only thing I can to get me out of here. I close my eyes and slowly unleash my inner dragon, knowing I have to take my time. Turning into a beast in such a small, cramped space is dangerous, but she’s pissed. I have to get to Sebastian before he reaches the castle.
A ball of pure energy travels down my arms, and my whole body starts to expand. The skin becomes rough, changing colour, and I scream with pain, finally able to release my leg when my foot grows in size. I take several deep breaths, and wait until my body changes back to normal.
I look over at my bleeding ankle and stand up. The pain makes me slightly dizzy for a split second, but there’s no way I’ll wait around here for someone to find me. Through gritted teeth and even more determination, I start moving through the rocks. I find a wooden stick to support my injured foot. Sebastian has the red crystal to show him the way back.
Pathetic, piece of sh—no. I need to savor my anger, let it simmer into a quiet burn. He has no idea who the real Astri is—the free Astri. Let him think I’m just a stupid, scarred, little girl. It works to my advantage. If only I can find my way out of here first. Priorities, Astri. Safety first, then sweet, sweet revenge.
He cheated, but I don’t have any proof. It’s my word against his. I consider going back to the mine, but that isn’t even an option. I have nothing else I can trade for the red crystal.
I begin to wander in the darkness for some time; my throat’s dry and pain in my foot forces me to stop a few times. The temperature is rising fast and soon I stumble upon a tiny waterfall and swallow the dry herbs I still have in my lower pocket. Luckily for me, Poppius didn’t take them away too. Smarmy bastard. I start jogging when my leg becomes numb enough.
After at least an hour of a light jog, I’m back in the tunnel beneath the castle. My goal seems further and further away with every passing minute, and I can’t believe Sebastian stole my crystal right under my nose. Relief washes over me when I inhale fresh air into my lungs, and see the sun hiding behind the horizon. I managed to make it back before the cut off time.
A hushed whisper moves through the crowd when people see me. I see Jorgen and other citizens of Rivenna. It seems everyone’s waiting for me. I look out for Sebastian and others, but don’t see them in the courtyard yet.
“Astri! You’re first, and you kicked that arsehole, Sebastian out of first place!” Lenin is screaming in my ear, flying over my head with Jetli.
I smile and jog toward Thayer, thinking this is impossible. I didn’t hear him correctly. Sebastian stole my red crystal. Heat travels across my back when I glance at Jorgen. He smiles and the crowd erupts with cheers. Moments later, I collapse on the ground, exhausted.
“Astri’s the first to arrive and if she has all the crystals she’ll be in the lead,” Thayer announces, then I remember I failed to come back with all the stones. Doctors and healers are rushing to me. I tell them my leg is badly injured and I took some numbing herbs on the way back.
“You have the crystals, right? I know you wouldn’t have come back without them?” Lenin asks, excited and I don’t know how to tell him I lost a freakin’ crystal to Sebastian, that he stole it. The crowd cheers again when Sebastian shows up. He bows to everyone, but his smile fails when he spots me on the ground. He didn’t think I’d get to the castle before him. I know there’s no point explaining anything to the duke or Thayer. No one knows what happened in the cave and I have no proof Sebastian stole my red crystal.
“I only have two crystals. Sebastian stole one from me,” I finally say, ready to burst into tears, knowing I traded my mother’s necklace, hoping to be a winner. Lenin’s swears are lost in the cheers from the crowd. Other contestants start showing up too. The night falls on the castle as people of Rivenna are waiting with anticipation to see who won.
“Ladies and gentlemen. It’s time for the contestants to reveal their crystals. Astri, let’s start with you,” Thayer says, smiling widely.
I get up and, with the heavy heart, place the blue and white crystals on the table, already sensing the disappointment in the audience. Then Sebastian approaches and he places his own three crystals next to mine, and gives me a challenging look. I clench my fists, knowing I’ll look weak if I accuse him of stealing from me.
The other contestants either haven’t managed to collect all the crystals, or gave up. I can taste the bitter anger in my mouth.
“Sebastian has returned in second place, but Astri failed to collect all three crystals. With these results, she remains in a second place,” Thayer states, and Sebastian starts throwing his fists in the air. The crowd goes wild for him. It’s over. I lost to him again.
“Astri, do something. He’s stealing your glory. The duke must know he’s a cheater and a scumbag,” Lenin says, flying in front of my face. I try not to show I’m devastated, especially after losing my mother’s necklace.
I grab my stuff and head over to my chamber, while the other contestants congratulate the cheater. And I have to force Lenin and Jetli to follow me. No one will believe me.
“I have no proof, Lenin. It’s his word against mine. No one knows what happened in the cave, only the two of us. Please, let it go,” I say, swallowing my tears. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I should have never trusted Poppius in the first place. I should’ve roasted his lying arse.
“That manipulative scumbag, I’m going to sneak into his chamber and release as much gas as I can. And with Jetli’s magic he will have to sleep outside for days,” Lenin says, rubbing his hands together while his sister agrees with him.
“Just don’t, please. I need to sleep. I’m exhausted. Promise me, Lenin, you won’t do such a thing,” I say when I reach my chamber. Although it would be funny, I can’t encourage them or they’d never stop torturing people who are mean to me. I need to fight my own battles.
Lenin starts agreeing with me and I fall on the bed, wanting to close my eyes and just forget about the past several hours–forgetting I no longer have my mother’s memory close to my heart.
Chapter 15
A favour for the duke.
I sleep well through the night, but sometime later, loud voices outside my chamber stir me awake. The clock on my dresser is showing a few minutes after one a.m. I cover my head with my pillow, but after a few attempts of trying to get back to sleep, I give up.
Lenin and Jetli, as usual, are snoring loudly, not bothered by the shouting right outside my door. My foot doesn’t look too bad and I feel a little bit sore—well, everywhere.
“It’s over, Diana. There’s nothing we can do. He’s going to die tonight. The elders asked me to pray to Hommis,” Jorgen shouts. I raise my head and rub my eyes for a second.
It sounds like Hans might have taken a turn for the worse overnight again. Jorgen doesn’t believe there’s anything more he can do. I get up and move closer to the door, but the voices begin to fade away slowly.
I quickly use my invisibility spell and open the door discreetly. I start moving through the empty corridor, following Jorgen and his companion. Part of me knows this is none of my business, but my parents always respected Hans. I want to know if there’s anything I can do to help. It’s strange, but I feel comfortable being able to move around undetected right under the guards’ noses. Around the corner, I hear muffled voices and see Jorgen talking to someone. I spot him with a female shifter. They’re both in their dressing gowns. Curious.
She has long silver hair and delicate eastern features. She’s beautiful and I automatically feel a little self-conscious about my scar.
“I know what you’re saying, Jorgen, but this whole thing sounds so complicated. Even if you have all the ingredients, you don’t have the golden cup,” the female shifter says, placing her hand on Jorgen’s arm. She must be someone from his family or maybe even his girlfriend. Either way, it doesn’t matter. All I want to know is what Jorgen is planning to do.
“My advisors are already brewing the potions, but y
ou’re absolutely right. The core potion will be useless without the cup,” Jorgen admits and sighs loudly, running his hand through his hair.
If Hans dies, then Jorgen will finally experience the pain of losing someone close to him. His grief will destroy him the same way it shattered me eleven years ago. I know I should be glad, but I’m not.
Most of my memories about my parents are in pieces, but a few years ago I read letters my mother wrote to my father. In them, she told him all about Hans, and his treaties between shifters and humans. I’ve read enough about Rivenna’s history to know Hans established many laws protecting both humans and shifters alike. He was a big fan of equality between mages and ordinary shifters.
The contest isn’t important right now. Sebastian defeated me, but everything can still be redeemed in the last and final round. I turn my bitter disappointment into an even greater motivation to beat his cheating arse in the next round. Sebastian will not defeat me. My eyes are wide open now. Two can play his little game and I have an ability he doesn’t – invisibility. Eat that, shit for brains.
I know what cup Jorgen’s talking about. It’s one of six magical artifacts created by mages, even before the Great War. The dragon’s cup once belonged to me. I inherited it from my parents, but my aunt and uncle confiscated it as soon as their remaining possessions were shipped back to their mansion.
“This cup is made from pure gold, and it belongs to us now. Your uncle should sell it in order to pay for your hospital bills. Besides, you’re under age, and I, as your official guardian, will look after it.”
It was a few months after I moved in. Most of my parents’ possessions were burned in a fire, but the cup was one of the things they kept locked up in a safe. My uncle sold the cup several years later. I overheard him talking to my aunt. Apparently, a private collector from another city offered him three times its value. I remember it well, because a week later, the cup magically reappeared again. No one in the house was able to explain how it happened. My aunt and uncle told me not to ask any questions, and they refused to believe magic had anything to do with it.