Chapter 37 A Deal with the Past
As Sharon went along the packhouse's dimly lighted corridor, the curse of the symbol weighed heavily on her. Since the shaman's invocation, the glow from her wrist had subsided a little, but she still felt a sensation of dread. It felt like the curse was draining her strength with each stride. She kept thinking about Rever's remarks about finding a cure, but she couldn't wait around aimlessly.
A slight buzz caught her attention when she arrived at the old library. The sound, which sounded like a heartbeat, appeared to originate behind a shelf of old books. Curious, Sharon started carefully taking out the dusty volumes one by one. A concealed panel's chilly, smooth surface touched her fingers. It creaked open with a light push, exposing a secret compartment.
A little artifact, hardly bigger than her palm, was inside. Similar to the sigil on her wrist, the pendant had a faint, pulsating glow and was formed like a crescent moon with elaborate engravings. She felt a rush of energy and her knees gave way as soon as her fingers wrapped around it.
"Sharon!" Rever rushed into the room, his eyes wide with fear, and his voice thundered. He caught her before she hit the ground and he hurried to her side.
Despite her shaking hands betraying her words, Sharon muttered, "I'm fine." Her eyes reflected the pendant's brightness as she held it up. "I discovered this. It beckoned to me.
Rever's visage clouded as his eyes moved to the relic. In a cautious tone, he remarked, "That's no ordinary trinket." "Where was it found?"
"It was concealed by the books," Sharon clarified. "I believe it has something to do with my wolf. When I touched it, I experienced a strong sensation.
Rever's mouth clenched. "Safety does not always equate to power. We need answers, and I know exactly who can provide them.
Rever stood at the forest's edge, the trail ahead glowing eerily in the moonlight. Lasmay, who had grudgingly consented to go with him, turned to him.
"Are you certain they'll assist?" Lasmay inquired in a doubtful tone.
River narrowed his eyes and said, "No." But there is nothing we can do. They are the only ones who are aware of the relic and the curse.
"Them?" Lasmay's forehead wrinkled. Are you referring to the Shadow Seers? They are more fiction than fact.
"They're genuine," River stated somberly. "They also owe me a favor."
It was a perilous voyage to the Shadow Seers' stronghold. The air became colder, the trees became denser, and the shadows appeared to move on their own. Every twig snap and leaf rustle placed Rever's nerves on edge, and his senses were always on high alert.
They arrived at a clearing at last. A tall monolith with bright runes covering its surface stood in the middle. Stepping forward, Rever repeated the ancient spell in a calm voice.
The air shimmered as the runes burst to life. A black-clad man with an air of unearthly strength stepped out of the darkness.
“Alpha Rever,” said the person, their voice resonating strangely. "You dare come back to us?"
With a resolute tone, Rever stated, "I'm here to call in my debt." The artifact that Sharon discovered is connected to both the curse and her wolf. We need your assistance.
The pendant that Rever was holding out caught the figure's attention. The figure's pupils narrowed as a faint hum came from it. This artifact is more than just a trinket. It's a key. However, keys have the power to unleash horrors or open doors.
"What horrors are they?" Lasmay stepped up and demanded.
The stranger looked only at Rever, ignoring her. There will be a cost if you try to get solutions. Will you make the payment?
Rever nodded despite his clenched jaw. "Whatever it takes."
The figure reached out and touched Rever's chest, causing a sudden, intense pain. His vitality seemed to drain into the image, and he clamped his teeth, not wanting to scream. Rever stumbled but did not fall when they finally withdrew.
The figure stated, "The artifact contains the answers you are looking for." However, there will be a high price to harness its potential. Alpha, take caution. There are shadows all along your road.
With the pendant tightly grasped in her palm, Sharon paced her chamber anxiously back at the packhouse. An inexplicable tug compelled her to activate the symbol on her wrist, which had started to pulse in sync with the item.
Rever's movements were slow and his face was pallid when he returned. With a worried expression on her face, Sharon hurried to his side.
As she assisted him to a chair, she inquired, "What happened to you?"
With a strained voice, Rever remarked, "I got us what we needed." He gave her a rune-covered sheet of parchment. The power of the item can be unlocked using this incantation. However, we must exercise caution. The Seers cautioned that it might be harmful.
Sharon's eyes moved from the pendant to the parchment. "We must attempt, risk or no risk. This could be the only way to break the curse and comprehend my wolf.
Reluctantly, the reverend nodded. "Then, together, we'll do it."
Sharon and Rever got ready to activate the artifact that evening in the ritual chamber of the packhouse. Long shadows were formed on the walls by the flickering flames of the candles that lined the room. Despite the strain in the air, Rever's voice remained steady as he uttered the incantation.
The pendant's light filled the room as it grew brighter. Squeezing her eyes shut, Sharon gripped it hard as a wave of energy swept over her. In her imagination, she saw a white wolf sprinting beneath a blood-red moon, two strange faces gazing lovingly down at her, and Pier's icy, cunning eyes.
The pendant's brilliance suddenly grew stronger, and a shockwave erupted from it, sending Rever and Sharon to the ground. The item was now lodged in Sharon's palm, its glow blending with the sign on her wrist as she opened her eyes.
Her voice was shaking as she said, "What just happened?"
The sound of breaking glass filled the room before Rever could respond. Their eyes gleaming with ill intent, they turned to see Pier's men charging in.
"Stand by me!" Putting himself between Sharon and the invaders, Rever yelled.
However, Sharon took a step forward, feeling a surge of power. When she lifted her hand, the radiance from the artifact flared, forming a barrier that kept the assailants at a distance.
Among the males, one grinned. "We underestimated your strength. Pier had good reason to mark you.
"What is it that he wants from me?" With rage in her voice, Sharon demanded.
The man grinned more broadly. "You'll learn soon enough."
He then hurled a smoke bomb, and mayhem broke out. Rever battled valiantly, but the men withdrew, leaving only more questions and strange statements.
With determination hardening her features, Sharon gazed at the shining relic in her palm as the smoke cleared. Pier isn't getting anything he wants. I'll do whatever it takes to uncover the answers.
A hand was placed on her shoulder by Rever. "Sharon, you won't have to deal with this alone. Together, we will discover the truth.
The chapter closes with Sharon staring at the artifact, its light pulsing menacingly, while a faint voice that closely resembles her whispers in her mind, "The time is near."