Save Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 3) by L.M. Fry

neck. “There’s a codex that suggests that the suffering of the Trinity will release Danu. Professor Scrod and I disagree, but the leadership is impatient. I was working on another way, but we’re out of time.”
    “What do you mean our suffering?” Julia shrieked.
    “The plan to sacrifice you, but I won’t let that happen. However, we don’t have much time…”
    “Are you kidding? Sacrifice? Danu’s Ass,” Julia growled.
    “Like Dr. Lawless said, we won’t let that happen. We believe that Aeda’s Sextant is the key to finding the tomb,” Professor Scrod said, scrambling around the room. “Valera, it’s up to you.”
    Professor Scrod held the sextant out to Valera, but Valera didn’t take it. Taking a step back, she shook her head. She didn’t like being the object of everyone’s curiosity. They all looked at her expectantly. She didn’t know how to use the Sextant. Professor Scrod had to be mistaken. Valera’s insides twisted. Even though the room was freezing, she felt beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Aether teased her, and the smell of salt burned her nose.
    “I can’t…”
    Theo took the Sextant from Scrod’s hand and approached Valera. “You have to try. We can’t stay here any longer. This is the only way. We’ll be right here with you.”
    Valera took the instrument. Professor Scrod picked up her notebook and prepared to make notes. Everyone else stood back. Valera felt like throwing up. She held the Sextant in her hands, turning it slowly before bringing it up to her eye. She channeled aether into it. The metal warmed in her hands. She pushed herself harder. A faint light flickered in the eyepiece.
    “All I see is a small light,” she stammered. “It isn’t working.”
    Julia and Theo stood next to her. She felt their hands on her shoulders as they added their power to hers. An intense blast of aether flowed through her. The instrument hummed and shook in her hands. She focused on aether and chanted “Danu” over and over again in her mind. The light became stronger and poured from the eyepiece, blinding Valera. She pulled the Sextant away from her eyes.
    “Look, on the far wall!” Eli pointed out shapes forming on the wall. “It’s a projection of….”
    Professor Scrod squealed, “A map!”
    An image of the world shone on the wall. The Arctic Ocean appeared, and, just north of Iceland, a small spot of light twinkled. Valera knew what the dot represented – the Sextant was showing them the location of Danu’s tomb.
    All three girls said in unison, “She’s there.”
    The professor marched up to the wall and squinted at the dot. “Are you sure? Perhaps it’s a piece of dust on the mirror.”
    “I’m sure. Hurry.” Valera’s voice shook, and her strength weakened.
    Professor Scrod scribbled the map in her book. Valera couldn’t hold aether any longer. The map faded in and out on the wall. She had to release aether or risk passing out. Theo and Julia let go of her, and all three collapsed to the floor. The map disappeared.
    “We know where to go now,” Valera breathed.
    Relief flooded her. She hoped that the nightmares would end, and life would return to normal. They were so close.
    “I knew you were conspiring against us! I’ve known all along,” a man shouted from the lab doors. “I want them arrested. All of them.”
    Slammy stormed into the room with a platoon of white robes. His men moved forward, charging at the relics room. Valera struggled to her feet, leaning on Theo and Julia. Professor Scrod handed her the notebook.
    “Keep it safe,” she whispered before leaving.
    She closed the door to the relics room, locking them inside. Turning on Slammy’s men, she held her hands in the air.
    “Stop, I… order you to stop… these people are here on my request… they are—
    “Enough Scrod! You have no authority,” Slammy screamed.
    The professor turned to face the relics room. She looked at Dr. Lawless and mouthed the word, “Go.” Grabbing a