Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
So, I thought of no other possibilities.
We made it to Zoe’s room.
I knocked.
The door opened.
Yawning, Zoe slowly entered the hallway with his shirt in his hand. “This was an amazing night.”
I spied two male drummers on his bed. Silver dusted their naked bodies. They lay in the center fast asleep.
Grinning, I closed the door. “Was your bed comfortable enough?”
“Very.” Zoe put on his shirt. “This is my new home.”
I chuckled. “Is it now?”
Zoe scanned the warriors and fire sorcerers behind me. “I see we have a small army.”
“We do. Will you be able to take us all to the castle?”
“It will be easy. However, we must stand in a circle and hold hands. The problem will be if one breaks the chain. Then only a few will come, so hold on to each other, even through the spinning. Don’t let go.”
I looked back at them. “Do you understand?”
They nodded.
Zoe frowned. “But do you all understand what we will be up against?”
No one responded.
Zoe spread his hands to his sides. “Very powerful sorcerers. Ones that dabble in the dark arts.”
One of the fire sorcerers smiled. “Light always shuts away darkness.”
“Let’s hope you are right.” Zoe gave him his hand. “Because I very much want to return to this castle.”
In the narrow hallway, we formed a tight circle and grabbed each other’s hands.
Zoe looked at me. “Where do we go?”
“To the cells. That’s where Adae should have Azar.”
Zoe frowned. “Unless. . .”
“What?”
“Unless, he killed Azar immediately.”
“That’s not something I will ever consider—”
“Still, Fatou. We must consider—”
“We go to the cells.”
“And if Azar isn’t there?”
“Then, we go kill Adae.”
“We better safely return to the castle.” Zoe let out a long breath. “Everyone, hold on.”
Silver dust exploded from his skin.
The world moved in a blur, my view turned and twisted with speed that made me dizzy. Even though I had traveled with Zoe before, I wasn’t used to moving so fast. It felt like the wind was trying to squeeze out my eyes.
Loud wind whistled by my skin.
Then, the world turned, left, right, left again, and then the spinning stopped. I could only see a distorted view as I was spun around more.
I clenched my jaw.
We are coming for you, Azar.
Then, eventually, the world righted itself and my view cleared. Bright light poured from a large wooden door.
We stood in a darkened hallway with stone walls.
I glanced back at Zoe. Liquid silver sweat dripped on the side of his face.
I blinked. “Are you okay?”
His chest rose and fell. “I am. I will just need to conserve my energy to make sure we get back home.”
I smiled. “Home as in the castle?”
“Yes.” He gave me a weak smile. “That is now home.”
One of the warrior women chuckled.
I returned my focus on the door. “The cells are through here.”
The warriors raised their weapons.
Fire balls burst from the sorcerers’ hands and hovered above us.
One warrior asked, “How many guards?”
Zoe shook his head. “No one is stupid enough to break into his cells, so Adae doesn’t waste his sorcerers by having them sit down here. However, soon as they are alerted of our presence, they will come.”
I stepped toward the door. “Kill or be killed. There cannot be anyone that gets away. We have a small amount of time to grab Azar before Adae comes.”
“Adae is probably waiting for us. Azar gave himself up for you, Adae could be thinking—”
“We don’t have time for theories, just for killing.” I pushed the wooden door open a few inches and peered inside.
The cell lay deep under his castle. The walls were black stone. A dark liquid trickled down parts of the walls. A musty scent coated the cold air.
We entered and slowly stepped inside.
Darkened cells surrounded us, covered in shadows. I could barely see who or what was imprisoned in each one, but I did my best to make sure none were Azar.
Some prisoners groaned when I came by the bars. Others wept and spoke in languages I couldn’t understand. A few cells held massive monsters that were bound with magical glowing chains.
The fire sorcerers pushed their flamed balls through the pathway, giving me more light.
Suddenly, a dark growl sounded further ahead. And I knew the sound.
My heart beats increased.
“Fatou?” Azar spoke from within the darkness. “Do I smell you or. . .is my mind playing tricks on me?”
I rushed forward. “Azar, where are you?”
“Zoe.” Azar growled. “I told you to keep her away from here.”
Silver dust puffed from Zoe as he whispered to me, “He better not kill me.”
“He won’t.” I rushed in the direction of the voice. “I think it’s this cell.”
I stopped at a barred door made of granite and spotted with rust and age.
Excited and nervous, I looked through the bars.
Azar stood in front, gripping Soul-Breaker in his hand. A fierce expression covered his face. His nostrils flared as he inhaled my scent. “It is really you.”