Page 81 of Remnants: Disruption
“Let’s walk,” Mary says, gesturing to the path that goes left off the deck.
I nod and fall into step beside her.
“What do you know of the supernatural?” Mary asks, giving me a quirked eyebrow.
“Like vampires and werewolves? Only what I’ve read in the last few years.” I tap at my head and give her a self-deprecating grin. “I’ve got amnesia if you didn’t know.”
“I do know,” she says, but doesn’t expand. “I ask because what you are about to experience will likely be overwhelming.”
“I think ghosts exist, if you can believe it,” I say, giving her a sideways glance. “Though it took a while for me to comprehend that what I see and hear isn’t just my slow descent into madness.”
She puts a hand on my shoulder, and we stop short of rounding the first set of deserted buildings.
“You will have questions, and I will do my best to answer them. When we are done here, I would like to discuss next steps,” she sounds so formal. So different from the woman a few moments ago.
I hate it.
“I will do my best to hold until after the tour,” I say, giving her a look that I hope conveys my confusion. “Though I haven’t forgotten you’ve said the word magic twice now.”
Mary lets out what might be huff of laughter, but ushers me forward. The path dips low before widening considerably. At the basin of the cavern is a huge stone field with buildings that surround a center courtyard.
And that’s when I see them.
“What the fuck?” I whisper, slowing to a stop.
The courtyard vibrates with life. Except these aren’t humans. And I’m pretty certain most of them aren’t Remnants either.
“In 100 A.D., this place began a means to protect the supernatural world from the expansion of a new breed of humanity. It was only a few years later that we began to protect Remnants as well.”
My mind races as I take in the various shapes and figures. Like the bear guy from before, there countless large, biped beasts that mingle in one corner of the courtyard. Near them are what look to be dragon-like creatures.
And those are just the two groups that are easy enough to discern from this distance.
I swallow thickly before turning to look at Mary.
“What—” my knees buckle and I sit roughly on the stone floor overlooking the party.
Mary squats beside me, a hand coming to rest on my shoulder.
“Just breathe,” she whispers, breath feather light as it tickles my ear. “And do not be angry with me.”
“For what?” I huff out in a choked laugh.
There’s a shout from down below and the entire field falls into an uncanny silence.
“For introducing you to Tempest.”
Chapter 34
Hiraeth
One P.M., November 3rd, 1030 A.D.
Arya Skovsgaard has been identified as the Remnant who went by the identity of “The Dark One.” This is following an attack on the Guild of Defenders that left fifteen Guild members dead.
NC Today, October 27th, 1030 A.D.
“What?” I squeak, but Mary’s firm grip around my arm and waist pulls me close.
