Free Night of the Storm: An Epic Fantasy Novel (The Eura Chronicles Book 2) by K.N. Lee

deep at the floor of the lake, surrounded by the white mist and trees that stretched from the bottom to the surface.
    The stone temple stood there almost as if it weren’t submerged in water.
    Quiet.
    Abandoned.
    They swam at speeds that rivaled the fastest fish in the sea. The fire hovered above the water’s surface, keeping them from the air their lungs needed. Something told Ayoki that the temple would provide solace. It called to them, promising safety, and the young women rushed toward it.
    Mai fought the water to reach the large silver doors. She pushed with all of her might, and finally crashed into the inner corridor of the temple. The water would not enter. It remained formed to the entryway, unable to spill inside.
    Mai stood tall, her gray dress soaked and clinging to her strong frame as they stepped farther inside. The door slammed shut behind them, making both young women jump.
    A burning in Ayoki’s throat sent her into a coughing fit. She settled onto the stone floor, choking on water that had once been enchanted. It was stale and tasted salty and warm. Her choking ceased when she saw a light emerge from the dark depths of the corridor.
    Ayoki would have screamed if she had been born with a voice. So many things in her life would have been different.
    If only she had a voice.
    Ayoki scrambled to her feet and slipped backward until her back was against the doorway. The light became brighter and filled the room.
    Mai stood and shielded her eyes.
    “Ayoki, stay there,” Mai whispered.
    Ayoki watched the light. It shrunk into a small ball that hovered in the air and began to trail down the hallway. The women looked at each other and then back at the ball of light.
    “Come on. Let’s see where it goes.”
    Ayoki took Mai’s hand and peered at the light. She was unsure if it would take them to salvation or certain death.
    “Maybe it’s a sign?”
    Ayoki clutched her hand. They dripped water along the slippery polished floors as they crept down the halls. Mirrored ceilings looked down at them. Ayoki avoided glancing back up at them.
    She didn’t like seeing her reflection.
    “Hurry now. No time to waste,” a voice called from far down the hallway.
    They both stopped.
    Ayoki wanted to turn and run back the other way.
    “Calm down, Ayoki,” Mai said as her eyes strained to see past the light.
    Their cat-like eyes were better accustomed to darkness than such bright light.
    “I see a figure moving down there,” Mai whispered. “Who’s there?”
    “Are you hard of hearing?” A male voice echoed through the corridor as he slid toward them.
    Ayoki’s eyes widened, stunned by the sudden appearance of a goblin. He was as short as a child, with the face of an elderly man, beady black eyes, and gray skin.
    The goblin’s bushy eyebrows rose as he examined them. He threw his hands up. “Fine. You want to die? I’ll leave you alone.” He turned to go back the other way. “I was going to show you a path to Eura. Vaugner told me you were worth rescuing, but if you’d rather stay here, it makes me no difference.”
    Mai and Ayoki looked at each other then back to the goblin.
    “Come on, Gilly,” he said to the light as it followed him.
    It began to dim, and they saw that it was a small pixie. She was too tiny to make out her features, but they could tell that she was watching them.
    “I said come on. They want to be left alone.”
    The pixie buzzed off like a bubblebee, barely any bigger than one and without a second thought, Ayoki and Mai ran after them.
    “Wait!”
    He paused and looked over his shoulder.
    “Wait for us. We want to come too,” Mai said.
    He snorted. “Of course, you do.” He peered at them with those black eyes as they made their way beside him. “So, you’re a bit slow but not completely daft. That’s a relief.”
    Gilly giggled, and they finally got a good look at her. She sounded like a bell when she laughed. Though her blue eyes were too big for her face, she was pretty with