Anger bubbled in my belly, overtaking my fear. Without Anwir to direct it at, I turned on his twin. “First of all,” I hissed, glaring at the shadowy outline of him. “You don’t get to tell me what to do. Second, dragging me along isn’t exactly quiet, if that’s what you’re hoping to achieve.”
“Do you want me to get you out of here alive, or not?”
“Well, obviously, but you don’t have to manhandle me. I can walk.”
He was silent for so long that I expected him to abandon me and leave me lost in the dark, but instead, he released my wrap, a little roughly, I had to say, and waited.
What an absolute crank. Still, my escape options were limited. Taking a deep breath, I sheathed a dagger and lifted my hand, groping blindly at the prince. Was that an arm? I squeezed. Yes, that was definitely a bicep, and a very nice one at that, as far as I could tell. The fae stood perfectly still as I slid my hand into the crook of his elbow.
“See?” I whispered. “Isn’t this civilised?”
I could almost see that unnaturally perfect face twisting into a sneer.
“Fine.”
“Fine. Lead the way.”
The sulking prince set off at a steadier pace, a silent, prowling stroll. I gripped his arm, hating myself for finding comfort in his presence. He might be a piece of work, but he was here. I wasn’t alone. I slid closer, until my shoulder pressed against his arm. He didn’t complain. He was no doubt biting back his reprimand, driven by his need for silence, but I honestly couldn’t care less, as long as he got me out of here alive.
We crept through the tunnel in silence, pausing while Idris peered around pitch black corners with his stupid fae eyes. The only sounds were the soft padding of my feet, and my uneven breathing. The prince was so silent that, if I hadn’t had a firm grip of him, I wouldn’t have known he was there. I was glad he was, even if I suspected he was hating every second of my company. To think, everyone this side of the rift expected me to marry one of these stuck-up royal brats. A life sentence. No, an eternal sentence, if Sage’s claims of me being given immortality could be believed. No, that was nonsense. These creatures might live forever, but I was human, and mortal. I belonged to a mortal world. I would return to it and live my natural life with people who loved me for who I was, not revered me for what I had been forced to do.
I allowed my mind to drift far from the dark, twisting tunnels, across woodlands and meadows and mountains, back to the human world. To my little house, with Dad busy in the garden, pruning his hydrangeas, and Mum fussing over me, telling me I worked too hard and should put my feet up. I would put my feet up. I would sink down onto that squashy, faded sofa and stay there for weeks. I’d eat my meals on trays, and I’d binge TV, and drink all the coffee Mum could make. I’d saved the world. God knew, I deserved a break.
Idris stopped so suddenly that I bumped into his shoulder. I fell still too, my daydreams melting away into the darkness. My skin prickled.
“What—”
“Shut up!”
But too late.
A screech pierced the still air, and Idris wrenched away from me. I threw myself to the floor, scrambling until I found the wall and pressed myself against it. Something scuttled in the dark, and metal rang, that beautiful shivering sound, almost like a note of music. My eyes strained wide, but I could see nothing. I felt more than heard something move nearby, followed by a soft whoosh and an ear-splitting shriek. Something wet pattered on stone. Shuffle, thump, scratch, hiss. I screwed my eyes shut, for all the good it did me. Splitting flesh. The familiar scent of blood filled my nose, and something crumpled to the ground with a thump.
Oh God, please don’t let Idris be dead.
If he was, I was next.
Something grabbed my arm, and I sucked in a breath, but instead of devouring my bones, my captor hauled me to my feet. “There are more. Move.”
I couldn’t find the voice to argue as I stumbled along beside him, his fingers biting into my wrist. We didn’t need to be quiet anymore, apparently. Idris dragged me along at such a speed that the soles of my boots slapped the floor, echoing along the tunnel.
We whipped around a sharp turn, Idris dragging me, but no sooner had we rounded the corner than the fae skidded to a halt, shoving me in another direction.
“Shit, they’re everywhere. Run. Run!”
I didn’t need to be told a third time. Clinging to his sleeve, my grip tight with terror, I ran blindly at his side. What sounded like hundreds of scurrying footsteps pounded along behind us, my ears full of chittering and shrieks. If only I could see, if only there was the slightest light, I’d be able to run faster. I was slowing us both down. If it came to it, would Idris leave me behind?
My insides hollowed out at the thought. Even with my daggers, I had no hope of fighting them off when I was blind. I’d still be alive when those things started eating me. How long would it take for me to die?
Something unyielding caught the toe of my boot, and I lurched, losing my grip on Idris. Pain bolted up my knees before my belly collided with the floor. My knuckles, gripping my dagger, cracked against stone. Something clattered beside me. Something small, a sound I recognised.
I groped my empty pocket.
“My phone!”
I scrambled, patting the floor in the dark. I couldn’t leave it. I needed it. My only connection to my world, my family. My frantic fingers scrambled over the rough rock, even as the thundering of many feet closed on me. Panic tightened around my throat. I couldn’t breathe.
Where was it?
My fingers brushed something smooth, and I let out a sob of relief as I snatched my phone up. A shadow darted over me, landing softly on my far side, and a heartbeat later came the whoosh of metal and the slice of flesh. Warm, sticky liquid sprayed over me.
“Get up!” Idris roared.
I couldn’t see him, but I sensed him, flitting through the endless dark, his swords swinging and slashing. Shrieks and screeches curdled. Bodies fell.
Someone grabbed the scruff of my shirt, half choking me as I was hauled to my feet. I was released, and I’d barely sucked down a breath before I was shoved away. I staggered, and almost fell.
“Run, you fucking fool!”
I ran. Or rather, I shuffled awkwardly, my hands held blindly in front of me, my feet wary of another fall. At my back, the fighting continued. Those screams. They slashed along my bones, making my hairs stand on end and my ear drums shrivel. But worse than that, I was alone. I might not be able to see, but I could sense it. Idris had stayed behind to fight, giving me time to get away.
I hesitated.
I shouldn’t leave him. I was a liability to him, but I shouldn’t leave him to fight alone in the dark. But what could I do to help?
“Get help,” I whispered to myself.
If I could make it out, I would find the witches and Anwir. The prince could help his brother, the witches too, if the wards could be broken. They were brave and fast. Useful. They were everything I was not.
