The Obsidian Quest [Search for Earthlight Trilogy Book 1] by Laraine Anne Barker

Author:Laraine Anne Barker [Unknown]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hard Shell Word Factory

Chapter 11

The Grotto

TWO SHOCKED and horrified pairs of eyes stared up at Peter. The twins’ faces looked white and strained in the yellow torchlight. With their mouths ajar, they were like people caught out of time and frozen. Even Dreyfus stood like a staring statue.

It was Peter who broke the silence. “The other coffin looks ... as though it's ... meant for—for Merlin."

His voice broke on the name. To his friends’ further horror and distress, Peter broke down. Grief caught up with him and great wrenching sobs tore through him. He clutched his chest, where it felt as though his heart was splitting in two, and sank to his knees between the two stone caskets.

Without warning the air started humming around him and he felt sick and dizzy. I mustn't faint, he told himself, making a supreme effort to overcome the almost physical pain clawing at him.

The humming became all but tangible and Peter felt all the hairs on his body prickle. He raised his head. The air was visibly shifting and changing. Realization dawning, he scrambled to his feet the better to face his Enemy.

The huge black cloud drew all the light from the torches, plunging the chamber into near darkness. Straining to see the presence inside the moving mass, Peter met a wall of violent resistance.

A volley of derisive laughter greeted his efforts. “So, my friend, it has come to this—as I could have told you. Your great lady is dead, and what's even better she lies with those easily-led doltheads who called themselves Erewhonians, which is only another word for nobodies, and whom I destroyed so effortlessly—because one of them dared help the cause of the Earthlight."

The final words exploded into the great cavern in a violent, uninhibited shout, echoing over the ranks of tombs. Flinching, Peter put his hands over his ears. As soon as the echoes died the voice continued: “It's a well-named country, Erewhon, for it is indeed Nowhere now. They used to call this enormous set of burial chambers the Hidden City of the Reborn. Ha! Ha! It's now the City of the Dead. For all Merlin's efforts, these once highly civilized people are still the barbarians they became when they started listening to ill-informed and wayward philosophers."

The voice chuckled with relish. “Make no mistake about it, young Chosen of the Earthlight: only because one of their kind gave assistance to the Earthlight was I permitted to take such revenge. The Absolute Law is very strict—and mercilessly just.” More chuckles came out of the darkness at Peter. “I've had my revenge on the Earthlight, for Merlin will shortly be joining all his friends in this magnificent place. I've also claimed full compensation for your meddling, as you will learn when—if—you return home. I've taken your aunt."

Peter grabbed the nearest object for support, the side of the Lady's coffin. With effort he found his voice. “You can't do that! She's done nothing. She's not part of Earthlight's mission. You can't harm her. I won't let you!"

Gales of laughter filled the mausoleum.

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