Dark Waters

Artemis POV

When Dragana opened up the portal, I did not know what to expect. I knew we were going into a treacherous situation – by all accounts. What I read about the Yamuna River, coupled with what King Solomon said, did not look promising or encouraging. Surely, we were walking into danger, but none of that mattered. I loved her. I loved her with every breath I took and would gladly lay my life down for her, as I would for Roman. My connection to him was different, but there was love in my heart for him too, love, loyalty and friendship that only came from years of shared life like we had. We live in a strange world, one that to humans, at least most, would be incomprehensible. When I was young, I thought about their ways, the way they love, the way they live. I wondered what my life would be if I were born a human. I observed them, read about them, and thought to myself. Imagine having to work so hard, continuously on the verge of injury or death, struggling for most hours of your life, wondering aimlessly in hopes of what they called love. I saw them.. broken hearted.. lonely… poor and struggling.. and those who, according to their standards, had made it.. I saw them unhappy. It was the only time I thought about being a human. Only time until now.

I wondered if I were human, would my love for Dragana have been simpler. Would it not be impeded by mate bonds, the nature of a Tribrid, my mate, that I had not found? I wondered if she would see me as somebody worthy of her love and marry me, have my children and not be slave to a bond, not be bound by the ancient rituals of our world. “She can choose, you know”, my wolf Emir puffed, obviously upset about my thoughts. Being human would mean I would not have him, and our bond – the bond to my wolf was sacred too. “I was just thinking Emir. I…” replied, struggling to clarify and explain myself. He did not reply.

The Silver Gate had opened to a misty, clouded, dark place. We left in the morning from the pack. However, where we landed was pitch black and weird. We could barely feel the ground, and having the ability to see in the dark came in very handy. “I bet you are happy you have your wolf now”, Emir sneered, snapping me from my thoughts about Dragana.

“We need to go south. The blade glowed in that direction. I believe it wishes to be blessed”, Roman’s strong voice boomed through the mind-link. We had agreed not to talk much out in the open where not necessary, our mission was secret and given what we were told about the creatures of Yamuna, we wanted to stay undetected for as long as possible, and come back before the Full Moon, otherwise our trip and sacrifice were all for naught. “Lead the way”, I answered. My mind started spinning again. I saw how she kissed him earlier, and even though it tightened my chest initially, in a lot of ways I was glad for both of them. It was obvious to me that their bond was there, that they had something special, and that she loved him. I did not know if she loved me the same, but I could sense she had very strong feelings for me. “She was going to gift you her virginity”, Emir chimed in again. “I do not think you need to doubt her. Besides, who says you are only destined for one love??? Especially somebody like her – a Tribrid”, he reasoned with me and I had to agree. However, I had long suspected that Roman was her mate, and now, all the signs pointed at that. How would her heart, or her mate-bond react to me, if he truly was her fated one?

We walked for some time in silence. Pebbles and sand beneath our feet were crunching and echoing an eerie noise that seemed to be the only sound in this God-forsaken dark, foggy, and misty place. There was no sky, no stars, just a dark pitch shadow of where the sky should be. No sounds of life or movement of any kind. Somewhere vaguely I heard water brushing up to the shore and I knew that we were on the riverbank. But that was our only clue. Trekking through the darkness, I felt something else. My energy was lower than normal. Somehow, this place was sucking the very life essence out of me, that I could feel. “There is a clearing coming up, I smell fresh water” Roman said and turned to the left. I followed him, and sure enough, we found a small spring of fresh water with a clearing. Two dark seeping willows stood over it, grass as brown as dirt, yet somehow as soft as grass back home. We sat down for a quick break. I walked over to the spring and was shocked by what I saw. The water was black.

I remembered Solomon’s warning. Roman was busy unpacking a quick snack and shuffling some things around. I did not know if I should tell him what I had seen when I heard his booming voice.. “Come over… we do not have much time.. There are some sandwiches and fresh water, some dried fruits and meat - let’s eat quickly so we can proceed”, he urged me.

I was stuck. I did not know if I should say anything, as I was sure he would insist that we return. “If the waters turn black… you must turn immediately”, Solomon’s voice echoed in my head. “Roman… Roman!!!” I called him over with urgency. He started mumbling and begrudgingly came over, chewing on a piece of dried meat and bringing me a portion too. “Look!”, I said, pointing at the spring, which glistened under the dark sky, its dark waters somehow standing out in this maze of nothingness. His eyes locked on me – I knew he understood what I was saying. Shrugging away, and his mouth still full while talking, he replied.. “Soo… hmmmhm.. And??? Solomon said.. if water goes.. yam.. mmm.. black… We found this black water.. I don’t see a problem”, he said, finally swallowing. “Besides, we are here for a reason. Caleb has smelled snow, and I know we are on the right path. I am not letting some tiny spring of water stand in our way”, he brushed it off completely. Part of me was relieved, but somewhere, deep inside, a sense of foreboding and something looming in the darkness came over me. I did not know what the dark waters signified. Well, not really. The books spoke nothing of it, but I trusted Solomon, and in reality, we likely should not be here. But apparently, we were sticking around to find out.