The Ancestors

Merlin cowered on the hard, stone floor, shivering and gasping for air. She heard the woman's voice inside her head and echoing outside in the chamber at the same time. She slowly raised her head and stared into her gold-flecked brown eyes. The woman's lips moved and this time she clearly heard her voice, soft and lilting,inside the chamber.

"Get up Merlin"

She struggled to her feet, using the sarcophagus for support while keeping her eyes on the woman in front of her.

"Who are you?", she ground out through clenched teeth.

"I am Angeline and we are the Ancestors"

As she spoke, her voice became amplified, sounding like a dozen or more voices, speaking in unison. Around her the air shimmered and undulated as more figures appeared like ghostly apparitions before flickering and fading out.

"Where is Juliette?", Merlin demanded, standing upright.

"She is safe"

"Show me"

"First we need to talk"

"No! Release Juliette and then we'll talk", Merlin countered.

"You talk as if you have a ch