9
When I came back to my senses, I was no longer in the cave.
Master Pevus and Sion stood side by side, staring down at me. Pevus looked troubled at my appearance, but Sion’s expression looked like she was worried about me.
What happened? She asked. Where’s Maren?
I bit my lip and shook my head and I almost lost it. My eyes welled with tears and my legs started to tremble involuntarily. I clenched my fists and realized something was in my right hand. Spreading my mangled fingers open, I saw a golden key resting in my palm. I stared at it through blurred vision.
“How?” I asked aloud.
Master Pevus stepped closer and gently took the key from my hand. He turned around and stuck the key into the air like my mother had, then turned back to face me.
“I’m sorry,” Pevus said quietly. He clea
