“How do you defeat a fire lizard?” I asked, dreading the answer.
Penn stroked his jaw, no hint of panic on his face. I’d never understand how this man remained so calm in the worst of situations. “Arrows, swords, knives, heavy boulders that can squash them.”
“So everything we don’t have,” I said.
“That would be correct,” Shadow replied.
I glanced behind me, the fire lizards everywhere I looked. We couldn’t even run without risking being set on fire.
“Well?” I asked Penn. “What’s the plan?”
The lizards let out strings of hisses, a few stray fireballs whizzing past us.
“You do have a plan?” I asked.
Penn stayed silent.
“But you always have a plan.”
Those forest-green eyes turned on me. “Yes, I do. But someone decided to break into the prison and rescue me when I didn’t want to be rescued.”
I crossed my arms. “Hmm, that sounds familiar.”
“Not now, you two,” Shadow said, her gold hoop earrings glimmering in the light.
We all crowded together, our backs to each other as the fire lizards closed in on us. I looked up, cocking my head at the loose stone in the ceiling.
“What are you doing?” Penn asked as I reached up and touched little roots that hung over our heads.
I looked at him and Shadow. “Do you two think you have enough magic left for one final push?”
Fire scorched at our feet, and we pressed closer together.
“What are you thinking?” Penn asked.
“Use your magic and pull those roots down as hard as you can. Whatever plants they’re connected to above will create pressure on the soil, on the sewer.” At least, I hoped they would.
Penn and Shadow looked at each other, then above.
“We’ll bring the sewer down,” Penn said.
“Exactly.”
He paused, then gave a sharp nod as sparks flew at us. We stomped our feet, putting out the fires as quickly as possible.
“On the count of three,” Penn said over his shoulder.
Shadow tensed.
“One.”
Fire flew at my head, and I ducked.
“Two. Get ready to run.”
A stray blaze caught my arm, scorching me, and I cried out.
“Three!”
