Chapter 3 3

Secrets and Shadows

Morgana's voice cut through the strained stillness of the cabin, "Don't move." Her tone was as soft as silk yet loaded with threat. With a frigid delight, her green eyes glittered as she completely entered the light. Lily felt her heart thumping her ribs as the atmosphere turned ominous.

Adrian tensed up next to her. With his stance defensive and every muscle taut, he moved between Lily and Morgana. "Morgana," he said, his voice a low rumbling of repressed rage. "Why are you in this place?"

A sly smile curled Morgana's lips." Is it not apparent? What's mine is what I've come for. And it appears like I've located it." With a calculated sparkle, her eyes moved and locked onto Lily.

Lily forced a deep breath and tried to hold it in. Morgana's visage was covered in flickering shadows from the fire, giving off an eerie yet alluring vibe. She tried to sound confident, but her voice trembled as she questioned, "What do you want with me?"

Morgana grinned more broadly. "Little one, you're more significant than you think. Adrian's relic has a connection to your destiny. and thus, your life."

Adrian had a startled look in his eyes. "You have been deceiving her." She is unrelated to the item."

Morgana's eyes did not stray. "Here's where you're mistaken. All things in our world are interrelated. I've been looking forward to today."

The room had an obvious strain about it. Lily's thoughts raced as she attempted to solve the riddle of Morgana's statements. Which artifact? Why did she find her so fascinating? Her perplexity and worry were further heightened by Adrian's protective posture.

Adrian said, "Enough games," in a cold tone. "What are your needs from us?"

Malice gleamed in Morgana's eyes. "I've come for what I want." I refuse to go without it." Her eyes darted over to Lily. "I feel like you could be involved in this after all."

Morgana shifted abruptly before Lily could respond. Adrian outran her in a whirl of movement as she extended her hand. He moved in front of them to stop Morgana from approaching. He fixed his intensely determined gaze on hers.

Adrian growled softly and said, "Leave her alone, Morgana." "You will have to go through me if you want to fight."

A sarcastic smirk curved Morgana's lips. "All right, then." A burst of black energy crackled around her fingers as she raised her hand. "Let's check the strength of your resolve."

Adrian lowered his gaze and assumed a combative position. The energy that flowed from Morgana caused the room to appear to shift, as Lily gazed in breathless dread. The fire's intensity intensified, blending with the villainess's eerie, chilly atmosphere.

Morgana launched herself into a lunge. Adrian stiffened his muscles in response to her strike, causing their shapes to blend. As Lily witnessed Adrian's might against Morgana's evil sorcery, her pulse raced. The weight of their conflict seemed to reverberate with each blow and parry.

Lily's trepidation soon gave way to resolve. She had to contribute in some way, anyway. She fumbled with the ancient map she had packed in the hopes that it might provide some direction or insight. The struggle went on, and it looked like the cabin was spinning around her, with every second seeming to go on forever.

While Adrian and Morgana engaged in combat, with their swift and intense moves appearing almost unearthly, Lily caught sight of something in the cabin's corner. Beneath a stack of worn blankets was a little, dusty chest. A faint glimmer came from it, creating unsettling reflections on the walls that made her eyes widen.

Lily instinctively reached for the chest. She unsnapped the clasp and opened it, showing an assortment of antiquated treasures and antiquities that caused her hands to shake. She was particularly drawn to a glistening charm that pulsed with a gentle, golden glow.

A piercing cry interrupted, bringing Lily's focus back to the struggle. Adrian staggered back, breathing in short breaths as Morgana managed to deliver a blow. Lily felt her heart race up her throat. She needed to take action.

Lily took a deep breath, clutching the necklace firmly, and walked forward, her voice shaky but resolute. "Cease! I think I may be able to assist."

Adrian glanced in her direction, a fleeting expression of despair and hope on his face. A sly smirk twisted Morgana's face. "How do you suppose that trinket will function? It has no significance."

Adrian ignored Morgana and concentrated on Lily. "Please give it to me. Right now."

Adrian was thrown the amulet by Lily. A golden light exploded from it as it sailed through the air, forming a barrier that forced Morgana back. A brilliant brilliance flooded the room, and Lily covered her eyes from the unexpected brightness.

Morgana was shaken when the light went out, her black magic flickering and growing weaker. Adrian seized the opportunity and pushed forward with fresh energy. The power of the amulet changed the odds in their favor as the conflict went on.

With one last, ferocious gaze, Morgana withdrew after the struggle, her body melting into the darkness. Breathing hard, Adrian walked over to Lily. "Are you okay?" he said, sounding both relieved and worried.

Even though Lily's legs felt weak under her, she nodded. "I believe so. How did that come about?"

Adrian removed the amulet from her and gave it a critical inspection. "This is not your average trinket. Morgana had to be frantic to get her hands on this powerful treasure."

Lily had a mixture of terror and amazement in her big eyes. "How does it function?"

Adrian wore a grave face. "It is capable of both healing and protecting. That probably explains why Morgana was so focused on obtaining it."

The residue of their meeting was palpable in the cabin, which was suddenly silent. Adrian glanced at Lily, and his eyes grew softer. "You performed admirably tonight. I am appreciative."

With her pulse still pounding from the exhilaration, Lily forced a wobbly grin. "I wasn't able to choose. Either assist or risk being taken away."

Adrian's hand momentarily touched hers, a comforting yet electrifying contact. "We must continue to be alert. Morgana is coming again, and this time she won't back down so lightly."

Lily sat down, her head spinning after the previous night's events, as Adrian made preparations to lock the cabin. There was an obvious tension between them, one of appreciation mixed with something deeper, a bond none of them quite understood yet.

They heard a squeak from the cabin door and looked up. With a gradual swing, the door opened to show a shadowy figure. As Lily attempted to identify who it was, her breath stuck in her throat.

The moment the figure entered the light, Lily's heart skipped a beat. She was shocked to see someone she recognized from her past someone who had been close to her but had vanished into thin air.