A Trial of the Heart (Valdor #2)

Chapter Thirteen

T he grin on imposter Daxton grew wider, almost inhuman, as the gray coloring of his eyes turned crimson.

“Well, well. Clever indeed. It’s pleasing to see that your beauty is not just a front. You have a precarious mind to match.” His menacing chuckle sent chills along my skin, my animal finally returning. “Your mind effortlessly ventured to this figure,” he said in a sweeping motion, addressing Daxton’s form. “In your extreme duress, the details were so astonishingly exquisite that it took little to no effort to duplicate his appearance based on your memories alone.”

Black fog encircled Daxton’s figure as his shape changed into none other than Gilen. “I wonder…” The voice was now an exact match to Gilen’s, making me gasp. “Would this person have convinced you?” He flashed me a wicked grin that was anything but sincere. “No? Perhaps this, then?” With a wave of its hand, Shaw’s form suddenly appeared, and then Rhea’s.

“No, based on your memories, I was correct the first time,” the labyrinth said with a perfect imitation of Rhea’s voice. “The prince is the only one that could have tempted you through death’s door willingly .” The black fog rearranged and conjured Daxton once more, but instead of the stormy gray that I longed to see, his eyes were as red as blood.

“Death’s door?”

“Why yes,” it sneered. “This was a gateway to the great crossing. One that two champions before you willingly took. Yes, some trickery was involved that ultimately ended in deception… But some temptations are often too difficult to ignore. Was it not warned on the scroll to not abandon the path?” I paused, recalling the line in the writing Rhett had shown me. “Very good, you do remember. Now, if you could ease my curious mind, I wonder … what gave me away?”

The creature that I now knew was the labyrinth approached me with an inquisitive spark in his red glowing eyes. He still held Daxton’s physical form, his grin reminding me of a child anxiously waiting to play with their favorite toy.

“Your kissing was abysmal and lacked luster,” I said, bucking my chin and refusing to cower or back down.

“ Ha, ha, ha ,” he bellowed, folding over with amusement. “Mymy, you most certainly are a spitfire .” I narrowed my eyes and growled with displeasure.

“Move aside,” I demanded, trying to meander around him.

“Not yet,” he answered, rematerializing at my side and then appearing again at my front.

“What do you want?”

“I require an offering,” he stated, sweeping his arm toward the pedestal.

“What kind of test of the mind is this?” I said with a scowl. I didn’t have time for these games, and the air was getting thinner by the minute.

“Make me an offering worthy enough to pass. ”

I looked into the red glowing eyes inside Daxton’s body, and my stomach churned. “Take your true form. Leave Daxton out of this so I can think.” His eyebrows rose, and he pondered my request momentarily before nodding and disappearing into the fog. “Thank you.”

You’re welcome. Now, there are the manners I believe we have been missing.

“You just tried to trick me into walking through death’s door at the fucking crossing into the afterlife!”

Trial of the MIND. I never said I would play nice.

“And the part where I was dangling above an abyss with monsters ready to eat me whole if I slipped from the vine? How was that of the mind?”

You volunteered to be here. No one forced your hand. I was about to argue, but as much as I hated to admit it, the labyrinth was correct. You had to mentally push past your physical limitations to surpass the pit of monsters. Now, give me an offering. Our time together is approaching an end, and I would hate to see your demise due to the ticking of our clock.

I stared at the pedestal for a long moment, contemplating what offer I could give that would allow me to pass. “How about a wager?”

Intriguing. Enlighten me.

“What if we make a bet? Care to test if fate is in your favor? Clearly, it’s not in mine, so what do you have to lose?”

Go on …

“I wager that I’ll win the trial of the mind.”

It’s absurd! Even if you make it to the center, no shifter can pass the final test—none have.

“I wager I will.”

And if you lose, we both know you die. But I wonder… what more is there for me to gain? What else do you offer to entice me ?

“My soul.” Silence followed my words, telling me I had the labyrinth’s undivided attention. “If I lose, I will not travel to the afterlife with my ancestors. I will remain here, forever, with you. I offer you my soul if I fail the trial of the mind.”

That… is some offer.

“But if I win…”

You earn the key and are one step closer to unlocking the heart.

“But since I am potentially binding my afterlife to you and this delightful place, surely you see the reason for giving me something in return. As you’ve said before, no shifter will be able to pass, so what is the harm in humoring my offer?”

Very well. What is it you seek?

“A favor.”

Elaborate.

“I can’t see the future. I’m not an oracle.” I swear I heard the labyrinth’s eyes roll—if it had eyes. “All I ask is that I can call upon you for a favor, and you must grant it.”

Hmm , the labyrinth hummed.

“What’s the harm in a favor? You said it yourself. No shifter can pass the final test. So, is this not a win-win scenario for you?”

Very well. Just for fun… I’ll accept your offer. The last champion offered me the sanity of his mind, but a soul? Now, that is truly a treasure.

Suddenly, a pit of despair opened in my stomach, but I refused to let it show. “It is struck, then?”

With blood binding, of course.

I nodded, stepped forward to the pedestal, and sliced my hand once more with a thorny vine to seal our bargain with blood. The magic of our deal swirled around me, and the fog dissipated, allowing me to enter the path again.

Tick tock, tick tock, little shifter.

As I raced along the corridor, I cursed myself for allowing Daxton’s false impersonation to cloud my judgment. How could I have been so foolish to believe that Daxton was here with me?

The mind is a clever tool , the labyrinth countered, reading my thoughts. Many things can be made real if the mind believes them to be true. The shifter champion worthy of the Heart of Valdor must be strong-minded and willing to choose what is right above all else. To prove your worth--- to do what must be done when the time comes.

“What else must be done?”

Perhaps you’ll be able to find out, but likely not.

“Humor the dying, would you?” I mocked. “Consider it a final request.”

The true champion, the one who could conquer the trials, must be unique and brave above all. They must embody what the heart represents and be able to guard and protect the people of Valdor with everything they are or ever could be. To be worthy enough to wield the power it holds.

“Outstanding,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “Not cryptic at all.”

Must I remind you again… that this is a trial of the mind? It’s getting ever so tiring having to repeat myself. Shall I simply open the floor and release my monsters to end this here and now?

“Where’s the challenge in that?” I asked.

True. What good is a trick already used? Besides, my final obstacle is one that is too good to miss.

“Good to know,” I said. “Now, butt out of my head and let me focus.”

One last thing — my pet .

Every nerve in my body and hair on my skin sparked with a sickening fear buried deep inside my soul. The voice of the labyrinth suddenly changed into the unmistakable sound of my most hated nemesis… Blade. I froze, collapsing onto the ground, the strength of my limbs vanishing like a drifting puff of smoke.

Ah, there she is. My prized experiment. Do you like how I am able to tap into your greatest desires and now dabble in your darkest fears?

“Stop,” I whispered, paralyzed with fear, trembling as my breathing became erratic. The air disappearing from the walls of the labyrinth.

Where would the fun be in that? We never did get to finish our final experiment. Do you recall the one right before I lashed you with my iron whip? I gulped as my hands began to shake despite my fingers digging into my palm. You do. I fondly remember it as well. During nights alone or when I am fucking a lowly mage or servant — I’m fondly imagining that it is you I am thrusting into, the fire dimming in those savage amber eyes. It saddens me that I never got to truly taste you.

“Enough!” I screamed as I pounded my fist into the ground, cracking the stone and cutting gashes into my flesh. “I remember the last time that thing tried to touch me. I broke his nose, or did you not see that in my memories?”

You can give up, you know. That is also an option others gratefully took at this point.

“I don’t have that choice,” I wheezed, my chest caving in like the walls of the labyrinth that began swirling around me. The never-ending hallways becoming a blur.

It would be so easy. Just like you did before in the prison cell. I know your secret. Your shame. You gave up once before… you died in my keep .

My body convulsed as I folded over onto my stomach, my breathing becoming heavy. Regretfully I remembered each second alone in the dark underground prison when I welcomed the brush of death and embraced the call of the afterlife. At that moment, I had given up. I didn’t want to admit it to anyone, but I could not hide here inside the labyrinth.

Yes, my pet. Allow the memories to flood your mind. You performed valiantly in this trial, but let’s be honest, we all knew you would not make it out alive.

Tears pooled on the ground as I rested my cheek against the stone floor, immobilized by the fears lurking inside my head. The mists slowly gathered as my breathing became heavy. My will to fight faded once again. The connection to my animal dwindled as I struggled to find the strength to fight against my darkest fears. It felt like I was drowning on solid ground.

That’s it. Your mind now belongs to me. Soon, the rest will follow. I blinked slowly, closing my eyes for what very well might be the last time. That’s right. Just like before in the hunter’s lair — you are alone. No one is here. Give in to your fears. Death is the only escape for you, now, my pet. Unburden yourself. I promise you will not feel a thing once you give in.

The greatest weakness for a shifter was just that—isolation. The labyrinth knew it, and Blade knew it, too. Our people were stronger together, united as one. But divided, we were weak. I reached for my animal, but she was somehow being blocked. Our connection was muffled by the labyrinth’s magical control. My mind drifted into blackness as I tumbled into a dark abyss.

I will find you.

What was that? The labyrinth’s voice seemed panicked.

I recognized that voice .

Forcing my eyes open, I gazed into the midnight mist that encased me. I will always find you, Spitfire. We will always find each other. His voice sang to my soul and shattered the magical gag on my animal, awakening my power from within. I knew this was no trick of the labyrinth. It was really him.

“Daxton,” I sighed with relief.

Call it fate. Call it whatever the fuck you wanted. Titles didn’t mean shit right now.

Since meeting Daxton, I’d felt a spark, a kind of electricity that surpassed all logic or reason. Even in my darkest moments, he was somehow able to find me and help bring me back, and this trial was no different. I forced myself to stand on shaking limbs, leaning heavily against the wall to try and escape the invisible shackles of my fears.

“Seems I won’t be giving up so soon.”

The labyrinth cackled, recalling the deafening fog. Then, by all means, continue.

I took off at a slow jog at first, trying my best to put some distance behind me. The turns became more frequent, which meant I was winding closer and closer to the center—to the end of the labyrinth. On the final curve, I entered a large circular opening with twin pillars surging up from the floor along a red-carpeted walkway.

“A tad dramatic?” I asked aloud.

Again, rude.

“What am I supposed to do now? Simply walk across this carpet, and then a key will magically appear?”

At times, the most logical answer is the simplest one.

“But never here.” That was for damn sure.

Walk along the path. Once you reach the end, the trial of the mind will be complete, and you shall receive your first key to unlock the Heart of Valdor.

“What’s the twist? ”

Whatever do you mean? His singsong taunting voice was beyond annoying at this point, praying on my last viable nerve.

I glared at the blackened, non-existent ceiling. “What’s the catch? You’ve been going on and on about how no shifter will pass the final challenge. So, what is it?”

You must not turn back, regardless of what comes next. If you do, our bargain will be in my favor. Your soul will remain here with me for eternity.

“I’m aware,” I sneered. “No other hints?”

None.

“No pressure.” I gulped. I glanced at the twin towering pillars that stood at the start of the red carpet. “What happens once I pass through these?”

Always with the questions. The other shifter didn’t even have the intellect remaining or the audacity to ask. He simply stepped forward, and then well…

“Spare me the details, please.”

Manners! For once? I’m shocked.

I scoffed. “What happens once I step through?” I asked in quiet fury, my patience now non-existent.

Tick tock… Tick tock.

“Shit,” I cursed, realizing that I was running out of time to complete the trial.

I don’t believe you have time to dawdle. My fog is encroaching behind you, and your air supply is practically gone.

“You don’t say?” I countered. “I was wondering why my chest was burning, and I was beginning to see stars.”

Eternity will never be dull with you around.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Well, here goes nothing.”

Throwing caution to the wind, I turned on my heels and took off at a sprint, deciding that a running start would be the best solution for crossing the threshold. The distance to the center of the labyrinth was in sight, only twenty or thirty yards at the most. I pushed my legs to move forward as I rapidly pumped my arms to keep pace. Leaping between the barriers, a pulse of magic tore a hole through the center of my body.

“Nooo!” I roared with a blood-curdling scream as I collapsed onto the ground. I screamed so loudly I swore the cobblestone walls and floor shook beneath me, as my very soul was ripped from my center.

I would have gladly broken every bone in my body, felt the iron tips of the whips tearing pieces of my flesh, or even the fiery pain of Seamus’s magic rip through my mind—anything but this. Everything inside of me was silenced. My animal’s spirit was gone.

This is indeed the best trick I have! Blissful pleasure and enjoyment rang through the labyrinth’s voice, but I was too numb and torn to even think of a reply.

All I could do was scream.

I screamed until I had no air left in my lungs. Until my voice cracked and then disappeared. Until all rational thought was torn from me. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even think.

My animal spirit was gone. She was gone, and I became an empty vessel. A story without an ending, a song without a melody.

What better way to test the confines of a shifter’s mind than to strip away a piece of them while keep them physically whole? I rolled over onto my side, clutching my knees to my chest as I roared into the emptiness of the labyrinth.

They can hear you outside my walls of stone. I ignored his taunting as I struggled to catch my breath. Just as the other before you. He made it this far… only to fall exactly where you landed .

I frantically looked around, trying to regain control of my mind as I succumbed to the emptiness of my animal’s absence. She was absent, and there was no trace of her left inside me. It shattered everything I was.

I could feel nothing… She’s gone , I repeated to myself. She’s gone. The world around me faded away.

Such promise, hybrid. The voice shifted once again, no longer belonging to Blade but to the original cold, inhuman labyrinth itself . You had such promise.

Hybrid …

I gritted my teeth, focusing on that one word echoing inside the confines of my mind. I wasn’t just a shifter . I was more .

I sucked in a breath, refusing to allow yet another scream to erupt from my torn throat. I pried open my eyes to see the end of the labyrinth only a handful of body lengths ahead. Near the edge of the crimson carpet, a glowing orb of bright red and orange light hung above a golden glimmering sun-and-moon-shaped key.

Your animal’s spirit is now bonded to the key. If you would’ve succeeded, both could have been yours. But now you will die without either. Pity. I always thought you shifters were stronger-willed than this.

If I were just a shifter, this would’ve been my undoing. The loss I experienced from my animal’s absence was blinding, but I knew I had to fight through it. There was no other option. My soul and the fate of all souls of Valdor were counting on me.

“Sorry to disappoint you—” I sneered as I crawled my way across the red carpet.

Fog curled around my feet, warning me of my impending doom. I dug my fingernails in the threading, causing my nails to crack as I dragged myself forward. Every muscle in my being shook with relentless suffering. I knew I would not survive long with my animal’s spirit stripped from my own. The loss was proving too much to bear. I could feel the pull of death calling for me. Ahead, I could sense my animal, her essence swirled around the key that dangled on the edge of the carpet, begging me to reach them.

Power thrummed inside me. Not the strength of my animal, but one of a different kind altogether. The strength of my human heart and stubborn will carried me forward inch by inch.

This… This is not possible!

I wanted to tell the labyrinth to fuck off, but I couldn’t spare the effort it took to speak. I had to focus all my energy on crawling across the crimson floor.

No—

Ten yards, and then finally five. There was only a body’s length distance between me and the end, but I stumbled as the pain seized my strength, bringing me crashing into the ground.

“Skylar,” a soft feminine voice sounded to my right, causing me to lose focus for a second and turn my gaze away from the key.

She stood alone, masked in the ebony fog dusted with sprinkles of what looked to be starlight. She had tanned, sun-kissed skin with beautiful brown eyes and vibrant wavy golden hair flowing down to her hip. She smiled at me. A soft, tender expression that I recalled Julia giving to me and Neera countless times throughout our lives.

“Skylar,” she said again, causing me to pause. Her features were so familiar, almost like looking at a reflection on a lake. Uncanny, how close they resembled my own. All but the shape of my eyes and brow, which I knew came from my father .

“Mother?” I whispered. I had always imagined what she looked like, sounded like—anything about her, really.

“Yes, my daughter.” Her pink lips curled along her golden skin as tears began to form in her softening eyes. “Skylar, come with me. There’s another way out of all this,” she pleaded.

“What is it?” I asked, feeling myself rise onto my feet.

“You must relinquish your shifter soul. It can remain here per your bargain … Then, you can come with me. We can be together, my daughter—I can save you from this fate.”

Gods, this place had tempted me beyond reason, but this… This was something I never saw coming. “You—You’re not real!” I stammered.

Pain flashed across her face like I had slapped her. “I may not be alive, but I am real, Skylar.”

“No. No, you’re not!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “Because my mother, my real mother, wouldn’t ask this of me. She might have abandoned me, but I know that she did it to save my life… to give me a chance to have one.”

The figure of my mother stilled as the midnight fog drifted around her delicate, beautiful face. I wanted to run to her, wanted to believe this was not yet another ruse of the labyrinth, and give into a primal need to heed my mother’s call. I had never once cursed my mother for abandoning me with the Solace pack, but I had never told anyone why.

“I was born a hybrid. A half-breed. Mixed blood. My mother gave me to the people she knew would protect me. To the ones that would nurture me to become what I am today. ”

I was done giving up pieces of myself to fit someone else’s agenda.

Perhaps in another life, I would have fallen into the role as Gilen’s mate. But there had always been something inside me that told me I was meant for more. I now realized that fate had always been leading me here. I was done wandering and being afraid of who I really was. Nothing was going to stop me from completing this trial. Not when I was so close to the end.

The deafening silence told me I was running out of time. Illusion or not, though, I needed to speak these words aloud.

I turned to look at the image of what I believed was my mother. I didn’t know if this was real or some illusion, but regardless, the words needed to be said. “I forgive you for what you had to do. I was given a good life filled with love and a family. I knew true happiness, and even now, I know I’m never alone.”

She silently nodded, a shimmer of tears soaking her deep brown eyes. “Never give up hope, my love. The strength of your heart will carry you through.” Folding a hand to her chest, the sparkling starlight faded into the midnight mist. I forced myself to turn away from her disappearing figure and squared my shoulders to take my final steps forward.

The walls around me shook with anger. The monsters below growled with disdain and resentment at a meal lost to them. The fog encircled me as a coy smile reached my lips.

“Fucking low blow there at the end,” I cursed into the mist. “You’re really a fucking prick.” These were my final words to the labyrinth, which I felt were appropriate considering what I had been forced to endure inside these stone walls .

The red-orange light of the glowing orb encircled a golden key with the shape of an intertwined sun and moon on one end. It blazed to life as I curled my fingers around the middle. On a deep inhale of breath, my animal’s presence returned. She flooded my body with an overwhelming feeling of bliss. I couldn’t hold back the tears of pure joy that trickled down my face.

The next thing I knew, I was in darkness. The fog encased me in its magic, with flecks of stabbing pain bouncing off my skin.

One moment, I was standing at the end of the labyrinth, and then the next, I was magically transported back to the entrance.

I couldn’t believe it.

I had successfully completed the trial of the mind, and the labyrinth was in my debt. I held a favor from the most cunning creature of Valdor.

Until we meet again, hybrid.