Hayden’s library is a blend of dark brown, smoky grey, and forest green. The gloom still glows through the windows, but in this room, green globes are perched atop twisted brass lampstands. Enormous bookcases stretch for what seems like miles toward the roof, and they’re decorated with carvings of monsters and symbols of assorted images I don’t understand.
When I enter, he’s sitting on a brown leather sofa holding a green hardcover book. It reminds me of a church hymnal, and he sets it aside.
“How are you feeling today?” Rising, he crosses to me. He’s still wearing the leather body armor. I notice it has a series of buckles along his left shoulder. The cape is gone as is his crown.
“Trapped.”
His smile fades, and I go to a small table that holds a box shaped like a trunk. A deck of cards is also on the table beside one of the green lamps.
“If you’re looking for something to do, I had a pottery studio built for you. You could make something.”
“Are you trying to hurt me?”
“Not at all. I want you to have all the things you enjoy here.” He’s standing beside me now, tall as Koa. I scowl up at him.
“My art was my dream. It was how I was going to live my life on the coast, in the sunlight.” My eyes flash as I defy him. “Now it doesn’t matter.”
He waves a hand and goes to what looks like a fireplace. “There’s always an adjustment period following a change.” I watch as he holds his hands out, as if warming them by an invisible fire. Blue flames appear, dancing in the black hole, and he turns to me and smiles. “In any case, you know it’s there when you’re ready.”
My arms are bare. Cold covers them like a second skin, and I’m sure the flames are drawing the heat from the air. I shiver, and he returns to me.
“Here.” He lifts a filmy shawl from the back of a chair and wraps it around my shoulders. “It’s too soon, but I look forward to the return of that old spark. I miss your humor, my love. My little cabbage.”
My chest clenches, but I fight my tears. I have to hold on to hope. Koa will find a way. I won’t be trapped in this cold, dark prison forever. I will get back to my life and my dreams. I will find a way back to the sun.
Helpers
Koa
The trickle of water is in my ears. I’m cold, and I’m lying on a hard surface. Blinking my eyes, I sit up and look around, confused. I don’t know where I am or how I got here. The light is dimmer than it was before, but I can see I’m in a cave. I’m leaning against the wall, and I seem to be alone.
With considerable effort, I recall the man by the lake watching me. Again, a wave of dread moves across my stomach as I recall his face, his menacing expression. He was familiar — the identity so close, I can almost place him. Before I can do that, however, I have to remember why I’m here.
Clearly, I’m in a dark underworld. I’m cut off from the sun, but I’m not dead. Looking at my hands, I turn them over and stare at the backs of them. Making fists feels familiar. I’m a fighter. I can fight my way out of here, only I don’t know who to fight.
A scratchy hiss cuts through the silence, causing me to lift an elbow in defense. “Why have you come here, panther?” It asks me.
Straining my eyes in the darkness, I long to shift so I can see using my cat eyes. “Who are you?” My voice is strong and clear.
The stranger coughs and a shuffling noise above my head focuses my attention.
“Strong one, you are,” it rasps. “Haven’t heard a note that pure in centuries.”
“Where am I?” I don’t have time for games. I might not remember what brought me here, but my sense of urgency remains strong.
“Haven’t you figured that out for yourself?” More shuffling in the dark. “You’re in the underworld. Only, you ain’t dead yet.” A wicked cackle makes my skin crawl.
“I’m here for a reason,” I insist.
“A reason?” The voice is skeptical. “And what might that be?”
Forcing my mind to think, I encounter only mist. It’s as though I’ve taken a strong sedative, and I can’t shake off the hangover. “I can’t seem to remember—”
“Ahh, you drank from the Lethe. That’s good. Without your memories, you’ll adapt faster to your life here.”
“No,” shaking my head, I try again. “I’m not staying here. I’m here for something important. Something I lost…”
“Death is as important as life. You’re here now, panther, and here you’ll stay. No one leaves the underworld.”