“Here,” she says simply.
“Here what?” I stare at the wall, seeing nothing but smooth obsidian.
“There’s a door.” Isla turns to Riven, that unnervingly calm expression fixed on her face. “You’ll be able to open it. Just press your palm against the stone and let your power flow into it. Magic will do the rest.”
Riven’s eyes narrow. “How convenient that you know exactly how this works.”
“The Night Court has many secrets,” she replies, which isn’t really an answer at all.
Water churns beneath my skin as I study the girl. Everything about this feels like a trap. She’s too composed, too knowledgeable, and too willing to help after we threatened her life.
“You’re coming with us,” I decide, raising the Star Disc. “If this is a trap, you’ll die right alongside us.”
“Of course,” Isla says without missing a beat. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
I glance at Riven, a silent question hanging between us.
Can we trust her?
Assurance flows through the bond, but outwardly, he gives nothing away. Still, something about the knowing gleam in Isla’s eyes makes it seem like she believes she has control over this situation. I don’t like it, but what can I do other than trust that she cares enough about staying alive to have not agreed to come with us if this wasn’t a trap?
Riven shoots me a look that saysstay alert,and then he steps forward, placing his palm against the stone. His eyes close, frost dancing along his fingertips as it flows into the wall. The magic traces elegant, crystal patterns that spread like frozen vines across the wall, and ancient symbols emerge, glowing beneath the layer of ice.
With a sharp crack, the stone shifts and slides apart, revealing a narrow staircase that spirals downward, illuminated by floating orbs of light.
“After you,” Riven says to Isla, his voice deadly polite.
She nods and steps through the opening.
Riven and I exchange a look—both of us feeling the same unease through our bond—before following her into the passage.
The stairs are steep and seem to go on forever. Our footsteps echo in the confined space, and the orbs drift alongside us like curious spirits, watching our every step.
“How do you know this place so well?” Riven asks Isla. “A human wouldn’t typically know about secret fae passages.”
Isla doesn’t glance back. “Trusted humans gain certain privileges in this court,” she says, adding nothing more.
I’m understanding enough of her vibe to know she likelywon’tbe adding anything more. So, I gaze around, goosebumps rising on my skin from the cold, despite my ice magic.
Finally, the stairs bottom out at another solid, seamless black stone wall. Only the faint outline of ancient symbols carved into its surface gives it away.
“Press your palm against it.” Isla nods at Riven. “Same as before.”
Riven places his palm against the stone without hesitation, ice flowing from his touch. The symbols flare to life, glowing with cold blue light, and the door swings inward with a grinding sound that echoes through the narrow passage.
Beyond is another staircase, this one spiraling up into darkness.
“Care to explain why these doors are responding to a prince from another court?” Riven asks Isla.
She lifts an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth quirking slightly. “Maybe you’re more connected to this place than you realize.”
He gives her a hard stare. “That’s not an answer,” he says, but Isla remains silent, her expression neutral.
We’re not going to get anywhere with her. But wewillget somewhere if we go up these creepy stairs, and every nerve in my body urges me forward, desperate to find Zoey.
“Does it matter?” Water rises around me, droplets spinning in the air. “I don’t care if these doors open because Riven’s royal or because they like the color of his eyes. I just want to find my best friend.”
“It’s definitely the eyes.” Riven smirks at me. “Doors, dragons, princesses—they all inevitably surrender to these devastating silver eyes.”
