The Shadow of the Serpent by Elena Kathleen Moriarty

Author:Elena Kathleen Moriarty [Moriarty, Elena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elena Moriarty

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I stalked the institute until I came across Raoul withdrawing from the kitchen. His gemstone-green hair was slicked back and he welcomed me with a hug. I pulled away and we began to walk to the elevators, heading for the basement. I was to see my father, Finnian, upon his request. Nerida was at the doors of the elevator waiting for us in robes that trailed after her when she moved. As we walked inside, the metal doors whooshed shut behind us.

The elevator glided to a halt on the bottom floor of the institute and Nerida told us, ‘Follow me. And keep close.’

We followed Nerida down a long metal corridor. Cells lined the walls, and when I peered inside them, I saw fabled eyes flickering and breath steaming. Growls and snarls shook the bars. Something nearby howled and I quickened my steps to keep up with Nerida, who was heading for a door at the end of the hall. A guard stood out the front in a uniform of black and gold, moving only when Nerida uttered a spell to him. I realised it was an enchantment.

As the enchantment stepped aside, the heavily bolted door opened and revealed a view of a large white pentagram drawn over a concrete floor. Before I could see it clearly, Nerida leapt forward, blocking my view.

‘Be careful,’ she warned me. ‘Finnian is bound in heavy confinement spells, but we must be wary of him. Do not touch the pentagram on the ground, nor erase it. And do not let yourself cross the barrier. He could hurt you.’

I nodded. ‘I promise. It’s alright.’

She gestured for me to enter. Raoul motioned for me to precede him and I stepped into the room, trembling a little and eyeing off the symbols and runes drawn over the walls and floor. The walls were silver which brightened the space, but it did nothing to cheer up the menacing and cold atmosphere. Darkness lingered in the cracks and crevices.

In the middle of the room was a figure bound in onyx chains that pulsed and vibrated with magic. The sound created a steady hum. As the door shut behind me, Finnian turned his face up to me. I caught a glimpse of a guarded expression before his features changed with a gentle smile.

‘Well,’ he purred. ‘Hello, little one. I see you’ve come to visit your dearest father. My wish has been granted.’

‘You remember me?’

Finnian chuckled, the sound slicing the air. ‘I’m not that old, Tabitha. We only met yesterday evening. You are my daughter and wield a blue flame just like me.’

‘I didn’t think you’d want me here.’

Finnian shrugged. ‘You wished for your father, to know where you came from. It’s alright to take extreme action for that knowledge.’

I smiled at him, stepping around the pentagram. His eyes followed my movements. ‘Can I ask you a few questions?’

‘By all means.’

‘I felt pain when we met last night. You showed me your flame and I felt a pain I’ve only felt once before, when Volker removed my glamour.

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