Dana Ilic and the Shadow Door (Lightwielder Chronicles #1) | ✔️

10 | I'm Rolling in the Deep

"The Sea Tzar? Is that like a King? So she's a... sea princess?" Max scratched his nape.

He can translate their names to English, and that's at least something.

"Are you the Custodian of the second ritual item?" I asked.

"I am." She nodded gracefully. "My father sent me here to the freshwater lands many moons ago, to fulfil the promise he gave to Belobog. But fear not. The second ritual item is safe." Her pale, elegant hand went to her neck.

A vivid cerulean amulet shone from her chest, droplets inside it whizzing left and right, restlessly and colliding.

"The Healing Water is here with me. And has been, for seven years now."

"The Healing Water?" Max asked.

"Yes, young demigod. The most potent healing water in existence is in this vial. If you pour a single droplet of it over the ailing body part: eyes, ears, or feet, and look at the sun, you shall be cured. It's the water in which a fairy used to bathe in."

"So what you're saying is... It can give back sight, and hearing? Even help those who can't walk... Walk again? Stuff like that?" Max shook his head incredulously.

"Yes. It cures all diseases."

"No wonder Chernobog is after it. Bla... I mean, the Shadow Drake may be planning to attack you and take it away," I said. "He already took a Golden Apple from Zhar Ptitsa."

"Did he now?" Her stormy grey irises fluttered left and right. "But he shall not get past us, that I can guarantee. For we are a formidable force."

"Gamayun said the ritual to free Chernobog is to happen at midnight. If it doesn't, it fails, and he'd have to wait behind the Shadow Door again," I said. "At least for another seven years, if we're lucky."

"Well, you are welcome to wait here till midnight," giggled the lime-green-eyed rusalka.

"Absolutely," Vasilisa the Wise confirmed. "Ivana and the others will make you feel welcome, won't you, Ivana?" She turned to the Gamora-faced girl who was now braiding Max's hair.

Their sweet laughter reverberated in the clearing like hundreds of tiny silver bells.

"Please, sit down," Ivana said, gesturing towards a pool of hot spring water.

"This is friggin awesome." I chucked off my trainers, enjoying the feeling of the silky liquid sliding over my skin.

"Now this is life." Max sighed. "My favorite place so far."

My toes sank into the gravelly bottom, and I leant against a smooth rock ledge. I breathed in thick and moist air, and the tight muscles in my chest unknotted.

It was so peaceful out here, and there was nothing to be heard but a whir of insects in the tall grass.

Condensation dripped off of overhanging bushes and trees, and I shivered a bit.

"You cold?" Max sat next to me. "Lemme try something."

He dipped his finger into the hot spring. The water temperature rose instantly.

"Better, D?" He smiled.

"Way better, water wielder." I nudged him with my elbow.

"Ooh, that's such a neat trick, my demigod," Ivana cooed at Max. "What else can you do?"

"Well, D and I are sort of new in this demigod business but..." Max flexed his muscles.

Ugh.

I disconnected from their stupid conversation. It was middle school all over again.