City of the Dead

Chapter 16

Nervousness doesn't begin to cover how I'm feeling right now. My face is wet with sweat, I feel like I'm gliding on air, and no matter what I try my hands won't stop shaking. It's not getting hurt or dying that has me anxious like this. It's me.

The feeling suddenly came along once Tinon was done casting his last spell over me. I slowly realized that I am far from just a girl anymore. I am a living, breathing weapon. I'm a cannon, I'm a firework, I am a magical bomb that could go off at any time. Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if I really know what I'm signing myself up for.

Stop. It's too late for second-guessing. What's done is done. You've thought this through already. You are going to do this for your friends, family, and everyone else.

"Do you remember everything I told you?" Tinon asks guiding me to the exit.

"Yes. I have the plan ingrained in my mind. It won't be too difficult since you've already done most of the work. All I need to do is get Delphine's attention. And I have a natural talent for that."

"Excellent. It's a good thing that I found you when I did. Delphine has been moving quickly to get to the ritual. I can already feel a shift in the balance. We'll have to move just as quickly if we hope to stop her. "

I look down at my shaking hands. "I've been failing at the simplest of tasks lately. With my horrible track record, I can't help but feel uneasy."

"Have faith, Freya." Tinon tells me noticing my grim expression. "I have the utmost confidence that our plan will succeed." Tinon waves his hand and the red barrier that once trapped me disappears.

"And what will you be doing while I face Delphine for the last time?" I ask curiously.

"Making certain that things are set right. And making sure that everyone plays their proper role." He says bluntly. "Focus on your task and I'll focus on mine. Now it's time for you to get back to your friends."He places his hand on my forehead and I get a glimpse of everyone as they frantically search for me. My heart leaps knowing that they're alive. Another image shows up and I see the entrance to the caves.

"What was that?"

"Just a trick I know. I showed you where to find your friends and the exit so you don't get lost on the way out."

"Thank you."

"I'm counting on you to restore the balance. We all are."

Way to relieve the pressure. You'd think someone who's lived for so long would easily be able to tell that I'm nervous as hell right now.

I waste no time and use the images Tinon showed me to race through the caves and towards my friends. I can barely see, I'm nearly out of breath, and I bump into several walls but that doesn't stop me. My heart pounds faster as I faintly hear voices in the distance.

I rush around the corner towards the voices and crash into Thomas. His weary eyes quickly turn joyful when he notices it's me.

"My gods, Freya. Where were you?" He asks hugging me tightly. "Don't scare me like that. We were beginning to think you were gone."

"Me, gone? Never. I'm here now so everyone can be put at ease."

"We've been searching for you for two days. I'm sure everyone will be more than at ease."

"Wait what?" I ask. My time in the illusions and with Tinon felt like mere hours. How is that possible? Maybe time works differently inside of that place. As curious as it is, it's a question for a later time. Plan first, questions later.

"Freya." Wren says with an excited grin as he sees me. "That talent of yours is going to give me a heart attack one day. Thank goodness we found you."

"It's alright. I'm fine now."