• The Sorceress •

We tied the horses by the canyon entrance since paths undoubtably would get too narrow for them. Onix stood by the wall of rock, staring into the maze.

     "Onix?" I came up to him. "Are you ok?"

     He jumped and spun around. "What?"

     "Marie told me your name was Onix..." I blinked.

     "Of course she did." He muttered, facing back to the canyon.

     "Are you ready?" Marie walked over, anxious to go inside. I couldn't blame her, her mother was running out of time. I wondered what reasons Onix had for coming here.

     "Let's just go." He charged ahead.

———————

     We walked on for hours under the blazing sun. Marie had drained the last of the water from the canteen. We were expected to arrive at the Emerald Mine soon.

     "Sithra?" Marie wiped the sweat from her brow. "Is it close?"

     "It should be-" I was cut off.

     "-Shhh!" Onix held his arm out to stop us.

     "What?" I whispered.

     An all too familiar hissing sound snaked through the air.

     "Hello again, Sorceressss." We spun around to see Lintu standing there.