The Last Refuge by Christina Bacilieri

Author:Christina Bacilieri [Bacilieri, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crescent Ink Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-10-03T23:13:09+00:00

16

Ablaze

They journeyed deeper underground. The tunnel, barely wide enough to squeeze their shoulders through at first, opened into a cavern with a crystal-clear pool at its center. The air was damp and cool, and Kiera must’ve turned in circles three times to take in all the stalagmites and stalactites. She was examining a massive stalactite, staring up at it muttering, “A buildup of redeposited minerals…” when Attalin came to stand next to her, looking up too.

“That’s fascinating. How’d you know that?”

Kiera tilted her head thoughtfully. “From a book. When I was a kid, I was terrified of making friends. I was convinced that they’d sense I was different, like they could somehow see the dreams marked all over me like tattoos. Maybe some did get that impression, but it didn’t help that my own fear pushed others away. I ended up at the library more often than not. At the time, books tended to be better company than other people my age.”

Attalin blinked up at the formation. Her lips quirked up. “I’m glad you made an exception then.”

Kiera flicked her tail. “Only for shiny mermaids.”

Attalin winked at her, and then they turned their attention toward the pool. The water was so still, even as far down as they were, it felt unnerving.

Attalin cleared her throat. “Most people don’t know about this place. Gabby told me witches have been coming here to practice spells for generations, or that’s what the speculation is anyway.” Attalin pointed to markings on the far wall. “That’s supposed to be a language from a millennium ago. Gabby still comes down here sometimes, as do a handful of the other witches.” Kiera nodded, still not entirely sure why she’d brought them here.

Attalin crouched down, retrieving the small bundled item from her bag.

She unwrapped it from its casing and spoke in a hushed tone. “There are things we need to tell each other, and this is the only way we can do that.”

Kiera sensed a shift in the energy around her, she felt pulled toward the pulsing force of the object Attalin was holding. It was rough with jagged edges and was the color of the darkest night.

“What is that?” Kiera asked.

Attalin dipped her head toward it. “The stone is black tourmaline, but the spell inside of it is a cloaking magic, unlike anything I’ve experienced before.”

Kiera hovered her hand toward it and felt a calming sense of security. She furrowed her brow at the rock and stepped back, uncertain if she should trust her feelings.

She looked back to Attalin. “This must’ve cost a fortune.”

Attalin shook her head, her hair falling back over her shoulders. “No, this is what I went to Gabby for. She’s like a second mother to me. She was the witch who came to retrieve me the night my father was banished, and she’s looked out for me ever since. I’m not sure that I would have gotten through my time here without her.”

Kiera’s heart swelled for the kind witch that’d saved her life. Attalin held the stone between her fingers.

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