“Where are these free Seventine and what are they doing?” Fury was leaning as far away from the light as she could.
“They’re gathering energy, severing tethers throughout all the worlds, and then consuming that now free energy,” I explained to her.
We’d started having this conversation the previous day, but had been interrupted by some Walker training.
“Could that be what happened to Kilkalow?” Dune said, facing Fury, his forehead furrowed.
“Our largest mountain, one which provided much protection for our people, disappeared thirty sun eclipses ago,” Fury explained. “None of us could understand what had happened. Many of the tribesmen perished. They left to hunt as usual and when they returned there was no Kilkalow, and no entrance back below.”
Occurrences such as this had been happening throughout the worlds. And apparently it was only set to increase with each Seventine release. The guilt churned inside me, guilt that I might be contributing to the death and destruction on the worlds. What was I thinking?
I couldn’t do this.
“The Seventine target tethers which garner a lot of energy, both in size and structure, but also ones that are important to the local population. If this mountain was utilized a lot, it would have had strong energy.” Josian’s expression was guarded.
“Can we close this doorway then?” Lallielle asked. “Since we’re now aware of the opening, surely there’s some way to close it?”
One of the Walkers shook his head. “No, I’ve been researching this subject and it’s the combined presence of the Seventine that created the vacuum of power and sealed the prison. It was designed by the original seven.”
“Did that reading give you any idea how we can get them into the prison? You know, except for waiting them out and it sucks them back in?” I asked.
“I can’t find that information. I need to keep researching. The problem is that Walkers have their scrolls and tablets scattered all around the star system. Much has been lost, or hidden away.”
“What we need to do is call a meeting of every Walker. The combined knowledge exists somewhere; it’s just that you don’t have access to everyone’s brain,” I said as I inched my way closer to the opening.
For some reason I was back to thinking it would be fine to let the third out. My moods were very up and down at that moment. The room fell silent and they all stared at me.
I crinkled my eyes. “What?”
Had they noticed my movements toward the vortex already?
“That’s a brilliant idea, Aribella.” Josian’s smile was blinding.
I chuckled in relief. “No need to sound so surprised. I’m full of brilliant ideas.”
Lucy snorted. “You’re full of something, that’s for sure.”
“It would take some time to get the word out, but I think we could organize a Walker gathering on First World. As soon as we leave here, I’ll get the Doreens to start the campaign.” Josian’s eyes were practically jumping out of his head. “We haven’t gathered in large numbers in so long, it will be like a reunion .”
“Remember those gatherings in the beginning? Crazy times.” Lanthorne shook his head.
The other Walkers laughed together as they reminisced about the ‘good old’ days, probably when they partied with the dinosaurs.
“First World might not survive it.” Josian’s laughter boomed loudly around the stone room.
The light seemed to react to the noise, the brightness more intense.
I’d continued to inch my way closer to the opening. The brighter light was actually camouflaging my actions. When I was over the top of it, I glanced down. Waves of light shined up at me from what looked like an endless hole.
It seemed as if part of the glow was from moonstale stones littering the side walls. There were countless numbers of them interspersed with another type of yellow rock. The prison was lined with a variety of colored stones which must be part of the protection. Without thought I reached down and unsheathed the dagger resting in the side of my boot. Clutching the handle in my sweaty hand, I released the golden cord.
Hello, sweetheart.
My skin crawled at the deep voice.
We’re waiting for you in the shadows. I’ll release your mate the moment you complete the ritual.
I didn’t like the word ritual. It gave me an uncomfortable feeling. Or maybe that was the smugness of its tone. It was manipulating me somehow and I didn’t even care. I couldn’t stop myself from lifting the knife and sliding the razor-sharp point across the pad of my hand. It cut quick and deep, droplets of blood raining into the glowing abyss below me.