The Black Necromancer-Book 4

Chapter 45

                After what seemed like eternity, Hunter opened his eyes. Without speaking, he took the left hand tunnel. Tamarak followed him, still holding his and Dahlia's hands, and Dahlia took up the rear. The darkness seemed to swallow them, embracing them in its arms.

                Hunter led them back and forth through a winding mass of corridors and tunnels. Both afraid of setting off any traps that he did not, Tamarak and Dahlia literally walked in his footsteps to avoid tripping any traps. When they had walked for almost ten minutes without setting off any alarms, Dahlia opened her mouth to questions whether or not it was the right route. Tamarak kicked her in the ankle to make her shut up. There was no point tempting fate with a sound alert.

                Hunter beckoned them forward with his free hand; the others followed, trusting that Hunter had not gotten them lost. At the end of the long corridor, they found an entry to a large room with a throne in the centre; Dahlia almost gasped out loud when she saw the occupant of the throne.

                Varmer sat on the throne, his eyes closed. He was sweating and shaking from the effort it was taking for him to control something. But that image looked all wrong! Varmer was supposed to be all powerful. What was happening that was causing his magic to falter?

                Dahlia's eyes widened when she saw him and fear at being caught welled within her. Tamarak squeezed her hand comfortingly, but his palms were damp with sweat. Dahlia resisted the urge to wipe it off on her dress; if she let go of Tamarak's hand, she would become visible. Hunter readied his spear in his free hand and Dahlia tightened her hold on her dagger. Tamarak was the only one currently with his weapons sheathed; he need both hands to use his bow and arrows, but could not, due to the need to keep both of them invisible.

                A pillar on the left hand side of Varmer's throne was glowing golden. Without speaking, all three of them knew instinctively that that was the portal, the one that would lead them to the prison cells. Sweating profusely, Hunter took his first step into the room, gingerly put down his foot on the wooden floorboards.

                Then it happened.

                A dart shot out of the wall and imbedded itself in Hunter's skin. Unable to control himself, he yelped in pain and shock, crumpling to the floor. Tamarak tried to hold him up, but he wasn't strong enough to bear Hunter's dead weight. The Magician of Earth landed heavily on the ground, turning visible as Tamarak lost his grip on him.

                Cold, crushing fear filled Dahlia's heart, but she forced herself to remain still and quiet, still gripping Tamarak's hand tightly. The worst thing they could do now was panic, although in Hunter was dead, it was a pretty good time to panic.

                Varmer stood up, eyes flashing with flames. He flung out a hand in their vague direction. With no clue as to what magic Varmer was attempting, only knowing that whatever it was, it couldn't be good, Dahlia and Tamarak scrambled out of the way, ducking just into the throne room, praying that they didn't set off any more traps that Varmer might have laid.

                "I know you're here, Tamarak," Varmer warned. "Expose yourself and your accomplices and I'll spare Hunter's life Only I have the antidote for this poison; even Sapphire cannot fix him even if you miraculous get back in time. You have five seconds to decide before the poison kills him. Five... four..."

                Tamarak's grip loosened slightly. Dahlia felt sick to her stomach with fear. Tamarak could not and would not let Hunter die. Or would he? The two magicians were best friends, but she knew that Tamarak had been willing to sacrifice his life for hers. Would the same apply in this situation? If Tam gave himself up, he would also be giving her up, for she could not remain invisible without his help. But would he sacrifice the life of his best friend to save them both? Would he be willing to make that decision for Hunter?