What Beats Within the Tunnels (What Lies Beyond the Realms Book 2) by Ashley O'Donovan

Author:Ashley O'Donovan [O'Donovan, Ashley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 4Chamber Publishing
Published: 2024-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Lyra

We land smoothly on a craggy ledge, Colton’s arm securely around me until I find my balance. Chepi, restless in my embrace, wriggles free to explore our surroundings. We stand atop a high mountain range, and I’m drawn to the edge, mesmerized by the sight below. Endless mountain peaks pierce through a vast sea of rosy-hued clouds, their beauty breathtaking.

Muffled voices pull my attention back, and I realize we’re not alone. Near what seems to be the entrance to a mine, Dorian converses with two miners, their clothes stained with deep shades of blue and black. After a brief exchange, the miners vanish from sight.

I turn to Colton, curiosity piqued. “What is this place?”

“It’s one of Dorian’s mines,” he replies.

I glance back at Dorian, eyebrows raised in question. “And what exactly are you mining here, Dorian? What do you do?”

“I own a armory in Nitross,” he replies, waving an arm for us to follow him.

“An armory? What does that entail?” I probe as we start to walk toward the entryway to the mine.

“In essence, I craft and forge weapons and other military gear. I also trade in unique weapons and magical artifacts. Beyond that, I manage my staff and handle any repairs that come our way,” he elaborates. The profession sounds intriguing, and it strikes me that Dorian would be a valuable ally to have. His connection to Bim makes even more sense now. If Bim leads Nyx’s military, they must collaborate frequently.

Colton chimes in, “Dorian could craft something especially for you – maybe a custom dagger or a light yet powerful sword. It’s why I wanted you to come along today.” I remember the physical training back in Zomea, where I had grown fond of wielding a sword. They could be cumbersome, but Colton often reminded me not to rely solely on magic, especially after hearing about Z. I wonder how many places nullify magic like that. The question irks me, but I hesitate, not wanting to sour the mood with memories of her.

“A dagger sounds wonderful. I prefer a sword, but they can be a hassle to lug around,” I admit.

“How about I fashion you a sword paired with a magical sheath? When stored, it’d be no larger than a dagger, but once unsheathed it will reveal its full size,” Dorian offers.

“That sounds incredible.” I didn’t even know that was possible, but nothing should surprise me anymore.

“What kind of magic do you have?” I ask, changing the subject.

“I have a bit of elemental magic in me. I can do very basic things with the elements. My primary gift is necromancy,” Dorian says. As he says the word “necromancy,” his blue eyes glow briefly in the dim light of the mine.

“I’ve never met a Faery with necromancy magic before. I mean, I haven’t known many Fae, but still… Is it a rare gift?” I inquire.

“Having necromancy magic isn’t rare exactly. Many Fae possess traces of it, enabling them merely to sense the life force of another and gauge their strength.

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