Queen of Darkness WATTPAD VERSION [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 3]

77

"What are you doing?" Jay asked as the group stepped out of the rift.

Without lifting her eyes from her phone, Amneris said, "Texting a boy."

"Uh-huh. What does Leo say?"

"That there's no record of anyone getting this far anywhere in the database and that we're on our own now." The phone was pocketed. Amneris looked up and whistled. "Wow."

Jay followed her gaze and crossed his arms with a smile. "Well, shit."

The rest of the group had varying reactions of shock and awe.

They stood at the far end of a long, tall canyon. On each side was a thin winding pathway carved into the ancient stone, barely large enough for two people to walk side-by-side. It eventually led to a pedestal at the other end of the canyon. Beneath them was a fast-moving river. The reasoning for this was clear. If one wasn't careful as they moved along the path, they'd find themselves swept out to sea. The bodies scattered along one of the two paths made it obvious there was some form of trap system along the way. 

Ema huffed. "Well, it's safe to say we know how Nephthys has been trying to enter."

"And failing," Xix said. "Note how all the bodies are near the beginning of the path."

"Near the beginning of the path . . ." Amneris' eyes widened. "If they haven't passed the challenge, that would mean that they're still here!" 

As if on cue, the group was surrounded by Nephthys' warriors.

"You just had to say something," Jay muttered. Amneris poked her tongue at him. 

Nephthys stepped forward with a smile, clapping slowly. Aurelia remained close behind. 

"My, my. I am impressed." Nephthys lowered her arms. "I did not expect you to make it this far."

"Oh, you know me," Amneris said, eyeing those surrounding her, their various weapons. "I never was one to fulfill your expectations." She met her mother's gaze and smiled. "So, how's the Third Trial going?"

Nephthys' smile faltered. She waved a hand. Those surrounding them stood down.

"Not well, eh?" Amneris' smile widened. "Let me guess, because there are two paths they have to be done at a same time in, say, a race? And, going off the fact all the bodies are at the start of the path, no one can even enter until two opposing parties go against each other."

Aurelia nodded. "Good guess."

Colt raised an eyebrow at the ancient Terpolite. "Did you consider splitting your forces in half and sending one group down each side?"

At the looks on their faces, Amneris placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't antagonise them, love. That's my job."

Jay leaned down to say into her ear, "And how, pray tell, are we suppose to get to one of the paths with them surrounding us?"

She waved a hand. "Oh, that's easy."

Amneris snapped her fingers. 

* * * * * * * * * 

The group appeared beside the empty pathway on the left side of the canyon. On the right side, Nephthys cried in outrage, rushing her forces toward the path nearest to them.

Amneris spun to face the group. "Right, there's no way we can move quickly with all of us going in there. Four people max to trigger and disable traps."

"I'll go," Xix said. 

"That's two."

Axel stepped forward.