Chapter 270

Olivia

The sharp rapping echoed through the room like a forewarning, pulling both Nathan and me from our preparations. The sound was almost out of place in the tranquil ambiance created by the dim, candlelit room.

My fingers tightened around the backpack that I was holding, and our eyes met, a torrent of unspoken questions passing between us.

Before we could answer any of them, the old wooden door groaned open, revealing Angela and Levi, their silhouettes framed by the dim light from the hallway.

Angela’s usually gentle hazel eyes flashed with a mix of hurt and anger, while Levi’s tall form seemed to loom more prominently than ever.

As they entered, the scent of night air and salt from the ocean emanating from their clothes, a familiar smell in our coastal town, wafted in. It reminded me of simpler times, playing on the beach, chasing after the gulls. But now, that moment was marred by the tension building in the room.

Angela’s voice pierced the heavy silence, her tone accusatory and sharp.

“Really, Liv? You thought you could venture into this dangerous endeavor without us?”

Levi, attempting a diplomatic touch, chimed in. “We heard you from outside. An open window and wind-carrying voices can’t be too secretive, you know. Plans made in haste often lead to unexpected consequences.”

Guilt gnawed at me. They were right, of course. Angela, with her radiant hair cascading down her shoulders, was not just my closest friend but also my confidante in all things. Levi had been our unwavering rock, especially when situations became dire. Their loyalty was undeniable, yet here I was, contemplating a mission without them.

Feeling overwhelmed, I closed the gap and wrapped Angela in a tight embrace, my voice trembling. “I...I didn’t want to burden you further. But I should’ve known you’d always stand by my side. Thank you, Angela.”

She hugged back, her warmth providing momentary solace. “You don’t get to do this alone. Not when it affects all of us.”

I nodded, pulling away to face both of them. “I could actually use your assistance.”

My mind turned to the twins. “Someone has to ensure Elliot and Aurora are safe. If anything happened to them while I’m gone, I’d never forgive myself.”

Just then, a gentle cough from behind alerted us to Clint’s presence. The silver-haired, age-lined guardian of our family stood by the threshold, his deep-set blue eyes reflecting wisdom and understanding.

“I can take care of the twins,” he said. “They’re practically my ‘grandchildren’, aren’t they?”

“You were listening, too?” Nathan called out, his voice in a teasing tone.

Clint merely nodded. “I was. And I’m glad I did.”

Gratitude washed over me. Clint had been an unwavering presence in our lives for as long as I could remember. In many ways, he felt like a bridge between our past and present.

Gently, I hugged him, comforted by his familiar scent—a blend of freshly cut grass and woodsmoke. “Thank you, Clint,” I murmured, emotion making my voice quiver.

He gently pulled back, his eyes locking onto mine, and whispered, “Your aunt would be watching over you right now. Make her proud. Fulfill this ritual.”

I felt the sting of tears at the mention of my aunt. She had once stood where I was, faced with an insurmountable challenge and had paid the ultimate price. The weight of her legacy, and the hope for a better future for all of us, rested heavily on my shoulders.

I met his gaze, my voice soft but resolute. “I promise I will.”

Nathan, who had been silently observing until now, cleared his throat, drawing our attention. His voice was gravelly with emotion. “Clint, your faith means more than you know. And Angela, Levi, you two... thank you.”

Levi offered a playful grin, attempting to cut through the thick atmosphere. “Well, it wouldn’t be a proper adventure without the whole crew, now would it?”

Angela chuckled, gently nudging Levi with her elbow. “He might be onto something. This isn’t a task to undertake without backup.”

The room, now filled with determination and shared resolve, felt warmer. Nathan stepped closer, his fingers lightly grazing my arm. “Ready?”

I looked around, at the family and friends who had come together in this pivotal moment. The weight of the challenge ahead still loomed large, but the burden felt lighter, knowing I wasn’t alone.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I whispered.

…

The worn road leading to the mines was uneven and encroached upon by thickets of bramble and undergrowth.

A thin veil of mist hung over the area, giving the dense woods an otherworldly hue as twilight approached.

The car moved swiftly, the urgency of our task evident in our hurried pace and the palpable tension in the air. Overhead, the moon’s silver glint offered minimal light as it tried to break through the thick canopy of leaves.

Angela, hugging her jacket tighter around her, ventured a question, breaking the silence. “Olivia, what’s the plan once we reach the mines?”

Drawing a deep breath, I responded, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “It should be pretty straightforward. Get in, locate the diamond, and get out. How hard could it be?”

A wry smile touched Nathan’s lips. “Famous last words.”

I shot him a playful glare, though it lacked true heat. In truth, doubt lingered at the back of my mind. The vast network of tunnels and chambers in the mines was intricate, and the diamond’s precise location was a mystery, only hinted at in Freya’s cryptic message.

Before I could voice my concern, Levi’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “You know, during high school, some friends and I used to sneak up to the mines. Not for anything... heroic,” he added with a smirk, “mostly to drink, chat, and explore.”

Angela raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “Oh, do go on, Mr. Adventurous.”

Ignoring Angela’s teasing, Levi continued, “There was this one time we stumbled upon a chamber, larger than any other we’d seen before. It was hidden behind a narrow crevice, which led into a wider passage. If memory serves me right, it was marked with a peculiar insignia, almost resembling a serpentine dragon.”

A sudden rush of excitement coursed through me. “That sounds like it could be it. Freya mentioned something called the ‘Cavern of Echoes’. It might be the same place. Can you draw me a map?”

Quickly reaching into the glove compartment, I pulled out a notepad and a pen and handed it to Levi.

Levi pondered for a moment, his gaze distant as he tried to recall the details. “I believe so. It’s been years, but I think I remember the path. Once inside, you’ll need to take the leftmost tunnel until you hit a fork, then right, and after a while, the serpent insignia should be visible.” As he spoke, he scribbled on the paper, finally handing it back to me with a heroic grin.

I nodded, grateful for this unexpected stroke of luck. “Looks like your high school adventures might just save the day.”

Levi smirked. “Well, I always knew my rebellious years would come in handy one day.”

The path ahead began to steepen, indicating we were drawing closer to the entrance of the mines. Birds, sensing the encroaching night, chirped their final songs of the day, and a light wind rustled the trees, making the leaves whisper secrets to one another.

As the entrance to the mines came into view, the road narrowed again and eventually became blocked by a chain spanning across the pathway. Nathan drew the car to a stop, leaving the air silent with tension.

“Well,” he said, “we’re here.”