“I’m serious, Kael. This could be it. The place it all started. But that also means it could be where someone’s coming back to. Using.”
Hesitation slices across his features. He wants to stay to discover the truth. Find answers and potentially put a stop to what’s going on. His emotions are crystal clear.
“We can’t stay,” I say quickly. “Dawson and Aelith need us.”
His jaw clenches, but he nods. “You’re right.”
“But we know where to return to, yeah?”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” I agree, relieved he’s focussed on the most urgent thing. Slinging the last of the scrolls into my pack, I say, “I guess we’re walking back to Varek and Pax? Through the trappy hall of doom?” Assuming we can of course. There has to be a way out of here.
Kael glances towards the dark exit. “We’ll have to find another route. I don’t trust the one that collapsed on us. And we don’t know if it was designed to separate us intentionally.”
“Well, if it was,” I mutter, dusting off my hands, “whoever built this place can kindly suck my?—”
“Sonny,” he warns, even as amusement slips through the bond.
“Fine. Let’s just not die on the way back, okay? I’ve nearly died enough this week. Honestly, my quota’s full.”
Kael pulls his sword again, light pulsing from his palm, and offers me his other hand. “Then stay close.”
“Always.”
I take it, and we begin our search for the way back.
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
It takesa while to find our way out. How long exactly or what the route is that we take, I have no idea, but as we finally escape through a door after climbing a narrow staircase that’s so steep, my calves are burning, I’m ready to collapse and get the hell out of here.
But first we need to locate Varek.
We venture through a room, one that I think is familiar. So much has happened since we entered the citadel that, honestly, it’s difficult to recall the details. Another door and another room and Kael pauses.
“Okay?”I ask, not sure if I could speak aloud without panting heavily. Thank Christ for our ability to talk mind to mind.
“This is where we last saw them.”
It is? Though from his tone, Kael doesn’t sound convinced either. I glance around. Nothing’s familiar. There’s definitely not a gaping hole in the floor. I take a couple of steps, though, gaze finally landing on the off-colour tile. It’s intact, looking innocent, and no doubt ready for its next victim. “So, what do we do?”
Kael’s jaw ticks. “Step around it. Carefully.”
“Thanks for the top-tier strategy, General.” But I obey, because that tile and I are never becoming friends.
We move slowly through the space, doubling back through the winding corridors of stone and faded glory. Eventually, we reach the chamber where we last saw all the sigils on the walls. Empty. No burnt furniture. No broken walls. No bodies, which… honestly feels like a win.
“Do you think they made it out?” I ask, my voice low. “As in, they haven’t been captured or something?”
Kael gives a short nod. “There’s no evidence of that.”
That doesn’t really answer the question, but I go with it.
We keep moving, each turn and shadow making me tenser. The air feels tighter the higher we go. And just when I think we’ve looped back again?—
Light.
