Chapter 24-

“Ow!”

Ravena hissed in pain. She had just tripped, and on her ankle revealed a large, bloody gash. She forced herself to get up, with only the image of her daughter in her head. Ravena nearly sank back down to the ground at the thought of Paris. Was she all right? Did this man who was holding her captive, Antony Turner, ever hurt her? Ravena shook those thoughts away. There would be enough time later on to ponder these thoughts later, but first she had to find the Star. She struggled to her feet and continued on. Ravena tried to ignore the stinging sensations rippling through her leg. Her gaze swivelled back to the silver coins in desperation. She was getting nowhere! The house of mirrors still held that mysterious luminosity, but frankly, Ravena was getting bored. She sighed, frustrated, and pulled away a strand of golden hair that was sticking against her forehead. It was getting extremely hot, and she had no idea why. Wouldn’t being underground get colder? Ravena found herself struggling to breathe as the walls seemed to close up on her. It was as if she was developing claustrophobia. She tried to loosen her shirt, to get some air in. Her breathing became shallow as she squinted in the darkness for any clues. Damn, there was definitely a corner coming up. When was this maze going to stop?

Ravena endured three more steps before arriving at the corner, then leaned against the mirrored wall, tugged sharply at the collar of her shirt, and let out a hoarse groan. She stared up at the endless ceiling, giving a silent prayer, before hearing a loud thump to her right. Ravena rolled her head to one side to investigate the noise. She lifted her head in surprise and gulped at the sight she saw. There, standing at the end of the illuminating corridor, was a mirrored door. Ravena gazed entranced as the shock that she might actually find the Star consumed her. She slowly started to walk towards it, hypnotized. She softly placed a hand on a glass handle that protruded from the door. Ravena opened it, only to see a magnificent white, bluish light, before darkness consumed her, and she flew back.

Ardeth and his men stared at the unconscious woman for half a second, before the Medjai leader pushed his men out of the way and rushed over anxiously to Ravena. It only took them about 20 minutes to reach where she now lay, but they did have to run. He kneeled down quickly and lifted her head and placed it on his lap. Ardeth leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Ravena? Are you alright? Please wake up.”

Ardeth placed two fingers on her neck, and sighed in relief when he felt a faint pulse. He turned his head towards his men and spoke in his native tongue.

“I wonder what made her unconscious.”

Sati inched his way around them and felt the door. He tore his hand away as tearing, hot pain flashed through his hand and up to his arm. Sati let out such a scream they could hear it’s echo bounce of so many walls. He cursed relentlessly and clutched his burning hand. He moaned crazily and wrapped his red hand into the cloth of his robe, as if thinking maybe the pressure would take away the pain. It unfortunately didn’t. Ardeth raised in eyebrow while his men struggled not to laugh.

“Are you all right, Sati?”, his leader asked nonchalantly.

Sati’s pained face glanced up and pulled out his hand. It was pocked with red marks, and ripped flesh that had blood pouring down his bronze arm. Everyone grimaced.

“Does it look like I’m all right?!”

With one more groan, Sati moved off to another Medjai so he could take care of his hand. Ardeth turned his attention back to Ravena. He gazed down at her heavenly face perfectly aware that he officially loved her. 130% in love. It had felt like an iron hand had gripped his heart and squeezed unmercifully when he saw his loved one lying on the ground, unmoving. Ardeth had promised to protect her, and for a moment it looked like he had failed. Noticing that the faces of his men were focused on Sati, Ardeth bent down and placed a kiss on her soft lips, but let it linger. He didn’t notice Ravena’s eyelids slowly open, but he did notice when her lips parted, welcoming him. They stayed liked that for a moment before their faces separated, and they smiled at each other. They turned their heads when they heard a cough, making them BOTH blush deep red. The Medjai were staring at them with goofy, child-like grins overlapping their face, it was cute. Ardeth jumped up, his face consumed with embarrassment and anger.

“Lets hurry up, we mustn't waste time.”

With that Ardeth held out a hand to Ravena to pull her up, and focused his attention back to the door. He took a ring that belonged to one of his men, and threw it at the door. They all watched in horror as it disintegrated into a million pieces when the ring rapped it. Another idea popped into his head. Ardeth took the amulet that rested in a pocket in his robe. He let the chain slide between his fingers before throwing it at the door. Everyone turned their heads to the side, expecting another clash. That never happened. They cautiously turned their heads back towards the mirrored door. The amulet lay at their feet‘s, because it had only bounced off the door. They all raised their eyebrows. The amulet was immune to the door! Ravena turned her head towards Ardeth and gave a half smile.

“The amulet is obviously the answer.”

Ardeth nodded, still memorized by the fact that it hadn’t crumbled like the ring. He picked up the amulet and stared at it for a moment. It was glowing a deep, magical blue. He gazed at the chain, realizing it probably was made out of strong metal, and riveted his stare to the handle. One had to lift it up to open it, but obviously no one wanted to risk getting burned like Sati. He stepped closer to the door, and carefully (without touching the handle) placed the chain underneath it. Swiftly he pulled the chain up, relief consuming him as he saw the handle lift up too. When everyone heard the click of an unlocked door, Ardeth turned to them and smiled. He turned his attention back to the chain and handle and pulled. Ravena, Ardeth, and the Medjai gazed in wonder as the door slowly opened, revealing a white/blue room. Ravena gulped and stared at Ardeth.

“Well, here goes.”

One by one, they all stepped inside.