The Temple of Indra’s Jewel: by Rachael Stapleton Read Free Book Online Page B

until it turned right into an alley, wondering all the way if I was making the right decision. As I came to the cliff side, I spotted the set of stairs.
    The breeze was a whisper, softly blowing the cloak hem around my feet—not enough to send chills dancing down my spine and yet I shivered. I halted at the top in the shadow of a large tree and watched the familiar stride of Enzo as he crossed the harbour below toward a band of guards. At his side was yet another traitorous face, Gabriella. Silent and still, my gaze fixed on Enzo, I watched as he stretched his arms out, presumably giving instructions to search all corners. This was far worse than I’d thought. I headed back into the laneway, clutching the cloth of my cloak tight to my body. I hugged the shadows along the alley walls, and like a shadow myself I flitted back to Rochus. He would not be happy, but what choice did I have?
    As I grew close, the clacking of hooves on the cobbles drew my attention. I heard voices, and something told me to be wary. Wisely, I peeked around the corner. The road was blocked off. Guards on horseback stood in their stirrups, surveying the area. In front of Rochus’s cottage I saw a good-looking blond with a chiselled jaw carrying a walking stick. He handed some coins to the man from the apothecary store and then walked toward the front door of the old alchemist’s cottage. I didn’t recognize the man, but his style, the way he moved, suggested he belonged to the palace. I was trapped. Racing back down the lane, I emerged and noticed the guards were now standing at the cliff’s edge. I looked behind me and saw stairs leading upward through a forest of trees. It was going in the wrong direction, but I didn’t have a lot of choice. I climbed the stairs two at a time; the journey seemed endless until at last I found myself at the top of the cliff.
    The guards below were unable to see me. The harbour shore ended, and only the cliff side was visible to them. I could see almost the whole of the island from here. It was much higher than the palace. My nerves danced as I looked to the sea far, far below. I continued to follow the edge until I found a part that jutted out far enough beyond the shore. There were no visible rocks sticking out of the water, which should allow me to jump safely, as long as the fall didn’t kill me. At least I hoped that was the case. I stepped to the edge, gripping the vial from Rochus, and a wave of nausea washed up my throat. Bile threatened my tongue, but I bit down hard, took a deep breath and fought the urge to vomit. The vial’s liquid was a dark muddy colour, and my stomach refused to stabilize. There was no other choice.
    Bottoms up.
    The shot tasted of black liquorice and mushrooms. I looked down to see if I could see a swirling cavern and then back to make sure no one was behind me. But I was suddenly very sleepy, and all at once the trees began to spin.
    The sensation of falling suddenly overwhelmed me. Wind rushed up my sleeves, causing pinpricks of goosebumps to rise on my flesh. My cloak tumbled around me. I didn’t know up from down. The wind screamed loudly at me as I plummeted to the sea. Then it dawned on me that the screams were coming from me.
    I could see the water through a swirling haze of lights. It felt more like the air was pushing at me now as opposed to falling through it. I experienced the familiar feeling of being hypnotized and pulled toward something. The rush of cold wind made it difficult to breathe, snatching each breath before I could form the next one.
    At once the loud whirring wind in my head became an intense beeping. It was as if time slowed down. Even my slightest movements felt incredibly fast and disorienting. I could no longer see anything, except perhaps the inside of my eyelids. My body tingled and buzzed. It felt as if my hands were linked together like two magnets; when I tried to pull them apart, the buzzing sensation in my bones intensified.

CHAPTER SIX
    I