A rhythmic beating and a rush of air past her face startled Nova.
She opened her eyes, then quickly closed them again, sunlight piercing her skull.
Her body swayed back and forth to the same strange rhythm. One of her legs ached and there was a heaviness to her limbs. She could not move freely. Her wrists were strapped tightly above her head and her entire body felt like lead as she chanced a glance downward, away from the light.
Nova stood upon a stone platform, her ankles shackled in heavy chains embedded with stones, black ones that glowed amber. More of them were tethered to her body, starting at her neck and running down both arms and legs.
What were they? She wondered.
What were they?She wrenched her wrists and ankles against her bindings but felt immediately drained of her powe
