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  “Yes, I would.” My words were soft, lined with a hint of wonder and sadness. “I’m amazed, but we still have to find a way out of here, and I have to find Lucy…her…her body, first.” Remembering Lucy and the intoxication that Helsing’s scent seemed to cause me left me reeling to prioritize.

  “Ahh.” Helsing placed his right hand at the small of my back, guiding me towards, and past, Thedryk and the new mother. “She is accounted for.” Beyond the bend of the tunnel lay a coat, Thedryk’s I realized, over a small body. The white of the gown Lucy had been wearing was sticking out along its edges, a ghostly glow making it appear vibrant in the dimness of the tunnel.

  I didn’t noticed Helsing’s departure, but I was thankful for the privacy I had been granted. Kneeling, I pulled back the cloak gingerly, as though I were afraid to wake her from her sleep. She did not wake, and she was far more damaged than when I had last lain eyes on her. The trip down the tunnels had not been kind, and she had apparently landed in a less than pleasant way. Her face had been stripped of skin, torn apart, and her neck an unnatural bend. It was my turn to moan, but in horror, before Thedryk pulled me back, handing me to Helsing as he proceeded to re-cover Lucy with his cloak.

  Helsing held me only briefly before Thedryk pulled me away, back into his embrace. Wrapping my arms tightly against my body, I crumbled under the images my mind kept revising, focusing in on the different horrors I had not immediately realized.

  “Have you figured a way out of here, Helsing?” Thedryk’s voice was hard, but quieted, trying not to disturb me in my misery as he petted my hair with one hand and held me fast with his other arm. All the misplaced anger I had saddled onto Thedryk dissipated as I took comfort in his arms.

  “Not quite yet,” Hesling responded distantly.

  “That man.” I shivered as my body tried to stabilize itself. “He was one of Reegan’s men…of the Heruvish clan. He…opened a portal.”

  “Did he now?” Helsing drew nearer in the intrigue.

  “I recognized him, though I’m not entirely certain how—”

  “From the visions with Eliza,” Helsing finished.

  I knew that was the case for myself, at least.

  “No,” Thedryk whispered. “From since that time.”

  “History now, all that matters is…” Helsing took a few steps beyond where Thedryk and I stood, still embraced.

  Simon spoke, his high-pitched voice garnering everyone’s attention, “This tunnel is a dead end, this is the one we came from, and that is where we found the women and children.” He pointed from the direction Duval and I had come. Another tunnel intersected where ours met, with one more I had not noticed. “The only direction left to go is that way.” Simon pointed beyond Lucy’s body. “I can smell fresh air from that direction.”

  Helsing walked over to Simon, clapping him on the back. “Best nose and direction. I am surrounded by immeasurable talent.”

  Simon beamed a bashful grin at the praise.

  “We must move, now that we are all collected. If Felicity has taken a portal she has beaten us to the sanctuary. Though I have every belief Hadi has arrived before her.”

  “Then where is Xavier?” Extracting myself from Thedryk, I looked to each man, their silence speaking volumes.

  Duval tried to rebuff my doubts. “It’s too soon to assume—”

  “No, indeed, she is correct. Xavier should have been here by now, if not sooner,” Thedryk responded. “We have to assume we are on our own, for now at least.”

  “What about Anita?” The woman flocked by the remaining two children asked.

  “Don’t leave my mom!” one of the little girls cried out, three or four years old, separating herself and running to her mother’s side. She had the same dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. Freckles spread dark across her nose and forehead, a carbon copy of her mother.

  “No my little dear, of course not.” Helsing stepped forward carefully, gauging the young child’s reaction with each step he took. He motioned two of his men forward. “Merrick and Simon will help ensure your mother makes it out of here with us, without fail.” The two men smiled as gently as two vampires could, not abating the child’s fears.

  “You hear that, my little clover, we will be going home together.” Anita spoke warmly to her daughter, trying her best to assuage her of the looming doubts. “How about as we make our way you think of names for your new little brother?”

  At this the little girl finally broke her menacing expression. “Chipmunk!” the girl exclaimed, firmly believing that would be his name, which caused several to break their fearful silence with laughter.

  “How about we have your father approve of the name, too, eh?”

  I watched, with bittersweet emotions and a twinge of jealousy, as the girl produced a forced pout, accepting the terms.

  “Time to load up and move.” Everyone set into motion, and the group moved slowly but surely. I stood over Lucy’s body, not prepared to leave behind the niece I had so long believed would be coming home with me alive.

  Thedryk stayed behind with me as the others advanced. “Neva, we will come back for her, I promise.”

  “What if… There are things here, what if they get to her? It’s not safe to leave her here.” My eyes and nose burned as I tried to force back the heartbreak.

  Thedryk huffed a sigh, pulling me close and tight and kissing the top of my head. “Then she comes with us.” He deftly stepped away, bent down, and picked up the broken shell of Lucy, walking ahead without looking back. “Let’s not get left behind.”

  The gesture broke the control I had been fighting to keep. I cupped my mouth with my hands to force silence before following Thedryk to reach the others and hopefully an exit.

  We walked for an hour before finding the source of fresh air. A tunnel directly above was to be our exit, but it was not a way out. An iron grate covered the top, with an ornate design that outlined the sky still covered in stars, but the depth of the deep blue was beginning to lighten.

  “There has to be another way out.” Simon stood directly beneath the tunnel, examining the interior and distance. “This runs at least forty feet straight up and only four across, the walls smooth and seamless. It’s hard to imagine this and the other tunnels were the only possible way in.”

  “Another tunnel to burrow the others, bring in the stones and lanterns?” Merrick came to stand next to Simon, taking his own review of the disappointment.

  “What if there isn’t?” the other woman asked quietly as she stepped closer to the two.

  Simon and Merrick looked to one another, the answers not forthcoming in their own uncertainty.

  “Then we will make our own way.” Helsing stepped up behind the trio, not making a sound and startling the woman. “Duval, Thedryk, Neva, join us, won’t you?” I had stood off to the side listening to the exchange, considering all options as they reviewed the possibilities. Collected in the small space, all voices dropped, casting careful glances at the children and Anita with her newborn.

  “We can run the tunnels again. I know we missed a few on our way to finding you,” Duval offered.

  “What do you think the odds are they didn’t collapse the only exit after completion of this maze?” Thedryk asked, standing and rubbing his hand along his jawline with his thumb.

  “That is why we are talking about making our own way.” Helsing smiled curtly. “With a slight boost, at least one of you can climb up to the top and see if that grate will come off.”

  “Who?” Simon inquired, his voice not so high pitched when whispering, but still an octave off from what I expected.

  Helsing turned his eyes to me, a smile within them but his face set to stone. The others turned their gazes to me in response.

  “Then I should hurry.” I looked back up to the sky, seeing another shift in its hues. “Sunrise is coming quickly.” Thedryk offered himself as my boost, and I was up the tunnel and climbing as swiftly as possible. Arms and legs spread, I wondered how far I could fall
without breaking limbs or dying. It wasn’t something I had tested, but the coming sunrise might be the test I hadn’t planned. Ten minutes passed, then fifteen, before I reached the top, smelling crisp, cold air. Even in the Ruined Lands, I longed for the openness and freedom.

  Securing my legs firmly against the walls, I freed my hands, lifting them above and grasping the grate. I gave a hard shake, feeling it rattle but refuse to budge. No, I thought, we have to break free. I have to find us a way out. Shaking the grate harder, my footing slid, forcing me to hold on tight as my legs slipped out from their pressurized points. I cried out in shock, my voice echoing above and below. Concerned voices from below floated up to me as I fought to secure my feet once more, and then a shadowy figure appeared above me.

  Fear muted me as I thought the figure was one of the creatures, a warden left behind in case we escaped.

  Instead, a familiar voice spoke. “Can I help, now?”

  “Cheyne!” I cried out, relief filling me entirely.

  “Hold on tight,” he warned, giving me seconds to secure my grip before he attached two hooks to the available lines.” Close your eyes. Pull!” The grate jolted with his command but did not fully come free. “Again!” Another jostling of the grate, nearly free. “One last time!” The grate was torn free, standing upright on its side, dragging me along a few feet before stopping. Cheyne gripped the side, maintaining its upright position and ultimately saving my fingers and hands from being crippled.

  “The others are below,” I huffed. As I was rolling away, freeing my fingers from their titan grip, I noticed several other figures standing nearby. Following the hooks and ropes led to what I assumed was a bull, sturdy and strong. “We have to get them out before the sunrise.” My eyes turned to see the skyline lightening to a bright blue just beyond fossilized forestry.

  We’re too late—the sun will be up and over us in minutes. My heart squeezed tight as despair gripped and whispered your fault, should have listened, naïve little girl. My throat clenched, stopping myself from any further statements, and I turned to see a waver in space between myself and Cheyne. A crackling filled the air, sparks blinking to life giving detail to the others where there had only been shadows. Men and woman from Cheyne’s village I recognized, and many more I had not seen previously. But there was no time to take count as I put myself on guard, certain Felicity would be walking through the coming portal.

  I noticed the liquid state as it formed, struggling it seemed, but finally managing to solidify and create an image beyond. I was unfamiliar with the place, and I felt the panic within me bubble up. I had left my satchel and sword below; the climb up had not allowed me to carry any other items. Scanning the area showed only an empty wasteland with rocks the best defense available. Taking a breath, I held it firm, only to nearly fall over myself in relief as Xavier stepped through, with his hands balled into fists, gloves covering his hands with spikes extended beyond the knuckles.

  I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms in a tight hug. “Xavier!” Finally releasing the tense breath I had denied, Xavier exhaled loudly as well.

  “We searched for you for hours, but you were hidden.” Xavier’s deep voice resonated through me, calming me only enough to stop the shaking that had lightly taken hold.

  “The others are below, in the tunnels. We have to get them out now! The sun will be upon us soon. Can you open a portal below?” I dragged Xavier to the opening in the ground, passing the grate on our way.

  Scanning the area, Xavier nodded. “Yes, I can now.” I cast a curious glance as he turned and gestured towards the grate. “That was a barrier spell, which has since been removed.” Xavier turned to regard the present company I had failed to introduce him to. “Powerful magic, more than I have seen in quite some time outside of Eliza and her mother. And you.” Xavier moved back from the opening and spread his arms out before him, all above ground watching in anticipation.

  I did not know how Xavier had opened the first portal I had seen as I saw only the final product. The only time I had witnessed Xavier opening the portal had been after I pushed Zachariah through the first portal, and Xavier had simply pressed his fingers to a wall and the portal took form. Witnessing how he opened portals from thin air, I appreciated his ability.

  With arms extended, he drew the outline for the portal in the air, giving it a sizeable width and height. The air sparked once more, the sound of fissures breaking, and I watched between Xavier to the changing, rippling space before him. Gasps came from all around, excitement and surprise. Xavier’s eyes glowed a brilliant golden hue, and when I turned back to the newest portal, I could see the others waiting just beyond. It struck me then, when I had looked to Xavier’s eyes, just how thin he appeared, his cheeks slightly sunken, and I recalled the warnings about overusing abilities and prices to pay.

  I stepped through without hesitation, finding myself once more belowground and reaching out to the others. “Quickly, Xavier is in a rough state, and the sun is rising.” I turned to find the women and children moving closer, warily, to the new doorway. “You either come now or can remain down here; the choice is yours.” Harsh, I knew, but I had grown tired from my climb and feared a fiery, ashy death for those of us who had an aversion to sunlight. Merrick passed me my satchel and sword, and Thedryk lifted Lucy back into his arms once more, preparing to leave.

  Helsing had not been with the others, I realized, when he suddenly appeared behind the women and children, physically shoving them forward and through the portal. “Time is of the essence ladies, pardon my present actions.”

  Oh’s and ah’s came from the group, but they were ushered through successfully, and we pressed through without delay.

  “Thedryk.” Xavier smiled. “Helsing, gentlemen,” he greeted warmly. “We received your message. Eliza is waiting.” His gesture brought their attention to the other portal that shimmered in the coming dawn.

  “Cheyne, could you take these women and children? I’m sorry but we can no longer remain here.” I was pleading, fearful for them all. I knew we could not bring them along, but we could not abandon them either.

  “They will be returned to their villages.” Cheyne stepped closer to our group. “But they never passed through our lands. We followed you here, but none passed through.”

  “I see.” I closed my mouth from its open position. “Thank you, for everything. We will repay this debt one day, I promise.” I stepped forward knowing the dark tidings I had to bear. “Cheyne, were you missing people?”

  Cheyne’s eyes hardened at the question, and my insides twisted nervously. “Yes. I know where they are; you needn’t worry about that.”

  Tears brimmed in my eyes as I felt his pain, and those all around him, seeping into my pores. I had suddenly become a sponge of all emotions, nothing was sacred, and I could not wash away the shame of knowing what we had done to their people. No matter the situation. “I am so, so terribly sorry, Cheyne,” I whispered, keeping my eyes locked on his. I would not falter; this I would bear for sincerity.

  Cheyne only offered a sympathetic smile in response as I felt a hand grip around my waist and guide me away. I turned to find Helsing smiling, but not quite smiling at Cheyne in return. “We shall meet again, and perhaps we can discuss your history.”

  “As soon as you’re able,” Cheyne responded, sounding both hopeful and expectant on the promise.

  The odd exchange was over before I had a chance to question it, as Helsing pulled me through the portal. I turned back to find the portal had vanished, and only a dark, blank wall greeted me in return.

  “Xavier must remain in rest here. We are well hidden for now.”

  Hearing Eliza’s voice, I slowly turned around. Her back was to me, and the others had crowded around in an attempt to help adjust Xavier. A quick assessment of the room left me with plenty of questions. It was a windowless room, domed, the air felt dank, and it smelled of deep soil. On a table opposite the makeshift bed Xavier had been laid upon was Lucy’s body, still covered w
ith Thedryk’s cloak.

  “Where are we, and where is Felicity?” My voice was cold and disconnected, drawing Eliza’s attention.

  Her face was a blank canvas. I could not gather her emotional response, just a placid expression that screamed beneath the surface of her eyes, a squall destroying the oceans upon which we were all sailing. Eliza walked over to me, no indication of intention, so I had no defense when she struck me, backhanded me, across my face, knocking me to the ground. I heard hushed shouting, but I was up and striking Eliza without hesitation. I returned the favor, a backhanded strike without holding back, planting her into the wall.

  “You selfish girl!” was her first response after her own recovery from my returned blow.

  “I have no use for your hypocrisy, no more of your shadowed truths!” I spit back, the taste of blood pooling in my mouth.

  “Hypocrisy? Shadowed truths? What are you talking about?” Eliza appeared truly offended by my accusations.

  “They may all buy into your act, but it is very clear now that you have known far more than you let on, even to Thedryk or anyone else. Did Zachariah even know the truth? Oh, I believe you’ve known for long enough that we could have avoided all that has happened.” I hadn’t noticed Helsing inching closer, trying to quiet me from my fury.

  “If you mean Felicity, of course not. My regret is that you hold so little trust in me, but she is powerful.” She was hiding behind Felicity’s abilities, and it stirred the distrust into a tempest.

  Taking a step forward, I wanted to beat the truth from Eliza, mother or not, reasons or not, she had known all along. My nerves throbbed, beating with the tightness of my skin as I felt a shift throughout my body, and Eliza’s eyes widened as I managed to take two more steps forward. The others had made sounds, but they were not really there in my mind. I registered the terror on her face as she realized she would not get away with her lies this time, and I took one last step before I felt a sting sharp as any bee or wasp. I turned to the source, prepared to knock it clear from my vicinity, only to find a mirror thrust in my face.