When Storms Awaken (Realm of Istmere Book 1) by Michelle Frohman

Author:Michelle Frohman [Frohman, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Acorn Hill Press LLC
Published: 2023-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

I pressed my hand to the wooden door, and it opened under my touch, creaking loudly, revealing a long, dark corridor. I glanced back, but there was nothing, no indication of where I had just come from. There was nothing but suffocating darkness in every direction.

The only way out was onward, down into the dark passageway. I tentatively stepped over the stone threshold into the corridor, the door slamming shut behind me of its own accord. I started down the windowless passage and I could see the faint glow of torchlight that lit the path further down. I needed to get down there, get down to the light, then I could see. I ran my hand along the stone wall to guide me, the only noise the soft sound of my shoes against the uneven rocks.

When I reached the part of the hallway that was lit by torchlight, I picked up my pace. Where did this corridor go? Where did it end? I walked on for several minutes, and when I turned back, I could no longer see the door that had led me here. Did this corridor ever end at all, or was it infinite?

Just when I thought I might be stuck in this eternal tunnel, I could see something in the distance. Another door. This door was also wooden, but was adorned with a stained-glass window and a large iron handle. It wasn’t nearly as old or as worn as the door that had led me here. This door appeared well maintained, not aged by the weather of time. Where did it lead? I grabbed the handle and pushed, bracing myself for what might lie beyond.

When the door swung open, it revealed a long spiraling staircase made of stone, lit by the same sparse torchlight. I gripped the iron railing and started down, down, down, into the infinite darkness.

After many long minutes of descent, the staircase came to an end on a shallow landing, with only one way forwards, another door. This door was made of stone and appeared as if it had been built into the walls itself. It seemed as if it was meant to be hidden and not easily discovered, blending into the adjacent masonry seamlessly. When I grabbed the large iron handle, it didn’t budge. I tried pushing with all my strength, but still the door did not move. Would I be stuck here, in this endless maze, forever? What lay beyond this door? Was it stuck, or was it locked?

I could feel a surge of energy deep in my core, begging to get out, begging to be released. I pressed my hand to the door again, closing my eyes in concentration. I pictured that energy traveling up my body, through my arms and out my fingertips, seeping into the cold granite stone.

“Open,” I commanded, snapping my eyes open. The door did as I commanded, swinging open to reveal what appeared to be an old laboratory of sorts. The windowless room had a large wooden table running the length of it, covered in books and beakers, herbs, and liquids.

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