Chapter 8

8

I entered an ancient site right out of an Indiana Jones movie. The ball of light—that I conjured using fire magic—drifted up and illuminated my surroundings. The stone chamber was carved out of the very mountain, with a vaulted ceiling that helped me not panic with claustrophobia. Every shuffling step I took—because I actually chose caution lest a section suddenly sink, click, and send arrows shooting at me!—kicked up puffs of dust. It also revealed a smooth, marble-like floor that would likely gleam if washed.

I found it reassuring to see that only Clover and I disturbed the layer of filth. No signs of rodents or bigger creatures marred it. No cobwebs either. I hated spiders. But at least now instead of screaming while flailing with a shoe, I could just zap the eight-legged freaks.

"Where are we?" I mused aloud. More importantly, how had the voice known of this place?

As I walked further into the room, I noticed glass-like sconces on the walls. A flick of my hand sent fire to them, but they didn't ignite. I approached one to see it held nothing. No remains of a candle or oil or even a torch, just a round stone. On an impulse I couldn't explain, I willed electricity into that pebble, and it began to glow, brighter than I would have expected.

In short order, I had all the sconces glowing, even the one at the peak of the ceiling. I realized what I'd taken for a single large room actually had doors, not easily noticed given their stony surfaces blended into the wall, but the subtle seams gave them away. Before opening any, I chose to tidy up the main chamber. I envisioned a mini tornado, the rapid circling wind sweeping all the dust layered over the years into a mass that I ejected out the door.

"That's better." Also much quicker and easier than a vacuum. I'd still need to find a way to mop, seeing as how water was oddly something I couldn't conjure out of nothing like fire and air. The stone didn't have any hint of moisture for me to borrow and while I'd been taught that the body could provide, I'd prefer not to tap my own physical resources just to clean.

With the floor cleared, I noticed an intricate design in the center that reminded me of the dais in the woods by the castle but for the center where the rock changed from gray to a dark red. I knelt by it and ran my fingers over the grooves that formed the twining knotted pattern.

"Looks like an anchor, but a dead one," I mused aloud.

It didn't respond when I prodded it. Given the voice deposited me outside, I could only assume that it was like the dais in the woods and would only allow those with the correct talisman to use it. It made me wonder if any of them still existed for this portal. It would be nice to be able to come and go without heading into the cold.

Clover sniffed around the corners, tail wagging, not a care in the world. The sight of him made me happy. Would I regret choosing my dog over… well, everything else? Guess time would tell, but I doubted it. Despite the solitude of my new location, I already felt myself de-stressing. Living amongst so many people, with hardly any privacy and constantly being scrutinized—and judged—had me more tense than I'd realized.

"Shall we explore?" I rose from my crouch and headed to the nearest door. A simple press of my palm and it swung open. Once the scones were lit, they revealed a bed chamber, dusty with disuse. The bed remained intact, the platform carved from stone, but when I pressed my hand on the mattress, it collapsed, and I coughed as dust puffed up.

With my eyes shut tight against the stinging, I performed the same mini sweeping tornado to cleanse the space before continuing my circle of the space. Niches carved into the walls still held remnants of fabric, which, unlike the rest of the place, appeared intact. I pulled a folded dark garment from the shelf and shook it out to see a tunic. The size indicated a slender man or woman. Britches, a robe, shirts, a whole wardrobe from a time long ago had been left behind by the previous occupant. At least I wouldn't be running around naked.

I exited the bed chamber and headed for the next door which turned out to be a kitchen. Or so I assumed. It held a hearth, long cold. A metal pot hung from a hook over where the fire would burn once I found fuel to light one. A counter, lined with urns, ran along one wall. Cubbies underneath and more niches above, the dishes in them simple pottery, the utensils made of wood. Another smaller pot and two sizes of frying pans let me know I could at least cook once I got some food.

Most exciting? A basin jutting from the wall into which trickled water. I slid my hand through the stream, cold and clear. I cupped my fingers to capture the fluid and brought the moisture to my face for a sniff. Smelled fresh. I dabbed it with my tongue. No tingles or bad taste. A full gulp showed it to be refreshing if cold. Yay to having water.

I filled three bowls for Clover and the three heads slurped it happily. When done, he shook, sending droplets flying.

One last thing to check. A glance inside the covered urns turned out to be a bust, the contents long dried out, except for the one with some kind of grain, which if I got desperate might be edible? I hoped I never got the point I needed to try it to survive.

I emerged back into the main chamber. Two more doors remained. The one opposite the bedroom just about wet my panties.

It held a bathroom. A big one. Like, bigger than my apartment. It had a toilet, or so I assumed given the seat carved over a hole and the basket with rags beside it. Another basin was set into a counter with more trickling water, but the absolute most amazing thing? The pool sunk into the floor that had a waterfall pouring into it on one end.

I knelt to trail my fingers in it, the water chilly but clean with a slight current. Leaning over I could see it siphoning out from the bottom. Brilliant as it kept the bath always fresh.

"Gotta admit, this place isn't that bad," I murmured a second before Clover splashed me by diving into the pool.

As I blinked water from my lashes, I had to smile at the sight of my three-headed dog paddling around, his heated body causing the surface to slightly steam.

This was the puppy everyone wanted to kill? Whatever happened to judging people—and yes, animals—on their own merits?

As Clover swam, I explored. Small urns on the counter smelled nice when opened but the liquid within had hardened. I did find a rock-hard bar of soap, though. An alcove with towels that remained intact due to the traces of magic I could see in the weave, finished off the space.

One room to go. The moment I put my hand on that last door, it glowed bright enough I closed my eyes. Unlike the other chambers, this one lit itself upon my entry and the hearth, despite having no fuel to burn, also ignited, kicking out some welcome heat.

I gaped long and hard at the library. Dust-free. The first place with actual wooden furniture. The bookcases holding the books and scrolls still gleamed. The table and its chairs remained solid as well.

"Jackpot," I breathed, even as I wondered who used to live here. I walked to the books and trailed my fingers over the spines embossed with symbols and letters I didn't understand. Some of them tickled my skin with hints of magic.

Holy shit, had I found a wizard's hidden abode? That would be cool.

Clover chose to curl up in front of the fire, three heads snoring. Me, I pulled out a tome to peek at the pages inside. The writing made no sense to me, but the images proved interesting. The drawing of the demon looked just like the ones I'd seen that very first night when my power to see through their camouflage manifested. Gray-skinned, bald but for a few strands of hair, emaciated as if starved, and with razor sharp teeth. A few pages later, another illustration, this time of Moloch, or someone who looked just like him. The horns were smaller than when we'd met, but the sneer and the flaming eyes? Gave me a shiver.

More pictures of demons covered a range of species, including one of the corposse, the body possessing kind that ripped their way out of flesh when they were done wearing it. Some that I'd never encountered made me cringe. Like the demon with wings, shown in flight, clutching a human in its claws.

I put the book back and chose another. Monsters appeared to be its topic. The gigacerta I recognized, the dinosaur-like beasts liked to burrow underground and pop out to cause mayhem. I knew the roc as well, but the myriad other beasts were fantastical and terrifying. Interestingly enough, the Infernal hounds didn't get their own page.

Book after book, I perused, unable to read a single line of text and growing frustrated with how many didn't contain images. It appeared the voice had sent me somewhere with knowledge, but it all proved worthless given my inability to translate.

When my stomach rumbled, I gave up on flipping through the books and headed back to the main area. I'd seen no food and couldn't live only on water.

I'd have to fetch some supplies. I eyed Clover. I doubted bringing him to the grocery store would go well.

"Hey, little guy, I gotta pop out for a bit to grab us some num-nums. Can you be a good boy?"

His tail wagged. Probably didn't understand but at least he tried. I gave him some belly rubs and crooned sweet nothings before standing on the dais for shits and giggles while holding my talisman.

Nothing. Not even a whisper.

Ugh. Guess I had to go outside. The moment I exited the cavern, my talisman activated, and I found myself in the cold place.

Back so soon? asked the voice.

I need some groceries but I'm not sure how to buy them with no money. I didn't have anything left to my name. I'd fled the castle in a huff and neglected to even take a change of clothes or say goodbye. Mizuki would be pissed. I'd have to find a computer and send her an email since not everyone in the castle had a satellite phone.

A messovenata shouldn't have to pay. She is the protector. The people support her that she might do her work.

Yeah, maybe in your day that worked, but in this time, cash is king.

Where can you get this cash?

By working or stealing. Both of which aren't feasible. A job would be necessary but wouldn't pay me quick enough to feed me today.

What about trading your services?

I almost snorted. Trading what with who? It's not like I can be like, hey got any demons I can kill for some pasta and ground beef?

I know a place where your skill will be appreciated.

With that, I exited the cold, nothing place into brilliant sunshine marred by the sound of screams.