Vermilion lands by a cove on the shoreline. Moonhowl woods is up ahead. The fire has destroyed all the trees. We walk over ash, burnt twigs and logs. It’s devastating to see these once-lush woods now destroyed. The smell of burnt wood is potent.
We creep behind boulders as we reach the castle grounds. We can hear Thypon yelling angrily.
‘I’m going to kill that Atlanta when I find her!’ he shouts as his large fists slam into the castle walls. Each punch causes more damage to the castle. The cages holding the sleeping children and all the vampires and werewolves rattle and swing into each other. I can see Nadia. She is clinging to the metal bars crying as she stares at the cage next to hers. Boomer and Krug are in there sleeping. She tries to reach through to touch them, but the children remain asleep. Nadia mustn’t know why they have been asleep for days and probably thinks the worst has happened. She needs to know they aren’t dead but sleeping. Magnus and Damon are in cages around the other side.
‘I need to see that Magnus and Damon are okay, but first, I need to get to Nadia over there,’ I point out to Alec.
Thypon lets out a roar that causes the ground to rumble.
Minotaur approaches him, but we can’t hear what they are saying to him, but he becomes angrier and yells again.
‘I cannot get through the veil! This has never happened before! I was going to return to the celestial world and gift them with destruction by destroying their realms and then return here to kill the rest of the living. If that little wench, Atlanta, has done something to keep me here. If she knows, then she would be the first I kill when I get out of here,’ he growls and slams his fist into another wall.
Alec and I approach the castle and climb up to Nadia while the creatures are distracted by Thypon.
‘Nina! Is that really you?’ she cries.
‘Yes, it’s me,’ I smile assuringly.
She reaches through the cage, hugs me, and then parts with sadness.
‘Boomer and Krug, and all the children. I’m scared that they have passed away from thirst and hunger,’ she cries.
‘No, Nadia. They are fine. They are just sleeping and will remain asleep until the spell is broken.’
‘Spell?’ she says.
‘Yes, the spell that kept all the supernatural children asleep has been recast. The children are meant to be in slumber during times of war. Once the war is over, they will wake,’ I tell her.
‘But what about Quinn? I haven’t seen her since the dragons attacked and took us away. Perhaps she is in another cage further around the castle?’ she asks.
‘Quinn is safe for now. She is in Mystic Pride with Queen Maia, not far from the forest border. She cast something over herself. It stopped her from falling asleep like the other children,’ I say to her.
‘Thank the gods,’ she says, clasping her hands together in prayer.
Thypon roars again, but this time it sounds closer.
‘Nina, we must go now before he sees us,’ Alec says.
I turn to Nadia, ‘We will be back as soon as possible. We will save you and your children. Just keep praying to the gods,’ I say to her.
She smiles and nods as we climb back down and hide in the bushes beside a low wall. Minotaur return to their posts. I crawl alongside the low wall until I reach the other side. Alec and I peek over and see Magnus and Damon in their cages. They look terrible.
‘You won’t be able to go to Magnus. There are too many minotaurs and harpies around, not to mention Thypon. The main thing is we can see that he and the others are still alive. You will have to mind-link him instead,’ Alec says.
‘Magnus,’ I mind-link.
‘Nina?’ he mind-links back.
‘Magnus, my beloved. Please don’t be in despair. Remain hopeful.
We have a plan to save you and the others, but you must be patient. I will never give up on trying to save you. I love you always and forever.
‘Where are you?’ he asks.
Reaper flies in the air to get his attention and lands in the tree on the branch above us. I poke my head up so he can see me.
‘Nina, I’ve missed you so much,’ he mind-links.
‘I’ve missed you too. I have to go now, but I’ll be back as soon as possible. The next time you see me is when I’ll be here freeing you,’ I smile.
‘I’ll be waiting. I love you, Nina,’ he mind-links.
‘I love you too,’ I reply.
As we leave Moon Crest Castle, I see the Covenstead in the distance.
‘Alec, I want to go to Yiselda’s place before we leave,’ I say.
‘But we need to get to Oakpaw mountain,’ he says.
‘I know, but this is important. I need to go there.’
He stares at me for a moment before nodding.
‘If it’s that important, then let’s go,’ he replies.
Reaper flies ahead of us to meet us there.
I use my Skedaddle Dash spell until we arrive at the Covenstead. I push the door open to be greeted by the magic broom sweeping the floors. Rabbits, squirrels and the odd cat sit, sleep or run around. I enter the kitchen on the right. It’s strange to see the kitchen quiet with no potion brewing in the cauldron. I begin to look through the shelves and in the cupboards.
‘What are you looking for?’ Alec asks.
I pull my head out of the cupboard I am currently rummaging through and turn to face him, ‘I thought there might be something here I can use to seal Thypon in,’ I explain.
‘Oh, I see. I’ll check the living room then,’ Alec says.
‘I’ll search the high areas of the rooms,’ Reaper mind-links.
I nod and watch him leave the room and return to the cupboard.
Eye of newt, spider legs, dragon’s breath. Yiselda has every ingredient in here, but nothing I can use for the spell. I sigh, turn and lean against the cupboard for a moment. Maybe I’ll search the dining room. I walk past the living room, poke my head in to see Alec checking the little set of draws, and continue to the dining room. I ignore the moving portraits trying to get my attention, but I don’t have time to focus on them. I go through the wooden buffet only to find kitchenware. I walk into the hallway Hands from the portraits try to reach out to touch me.
‘Look, I need to save Mysteria. I will look upon your lovely portraits next time I’m in,’ I say to them.
I notice Reaper in another room being chased by two cats. He perches up high on a curtain rail where they cannot reach him. I walk to the next door. It’s Yiselda’s bedroom. I open the door and enter. It’s a large room with only a four-post bed and a dressing table. I slump to the floor in defeat. The arm of a woman in the portrait near the dressing table extends.
‘Fine! What is it?’ I growl as I stand up and stomp toward the maiden in the portrait, only to realise she isn’t reaching for me but rather pointing at something. My face scrunches at her in confusion, but then I look to where she points. Sitting on the dresser is a rectangular silver box. It has intricate details and swirls around it, along with the odd Ruby. I notice a keyhole at the front of it. I touch the trinket box, but it doesn’t open. It’s locked. The Maiden’s arm changes direction and points to Yiselda’s bed.