PUZZLE PIECE 36
MERLIN’S CAVE
THE CREATURES’ REFRAIN:
If all fails, I’ll surely weep,
Dread buries deep.
In this sunken heart, I cry,
Sweet, treasured home, why?
Drive out the minutes of darkness,
Protect the cottage from intruders.
Krystallos heart permit no wrongdoers.
In the depth of the night, the disturbing image of Ryder’s portrait made me stir from my sleep. I could see his painting on the edge of my pillow, a chilling white spectre, with black veins spreading across his face, his tattoos moving, until his features became distorted beyond recognition.
I sat bolt upright, clinging to the edge of my bed, as if balanced on a precipice. Lifting my trembling feet out of my covers, I hesitated. The drop below appeared to stretch forever. Layer upon layer of carpets extended, cr
