Bo grunts. “Well, not anymore.”
I touch it with the tip of my finger.
“It’s back.” Bo frowns. “It must be tied to you.”
The light pulses. Neon blue and green swirl together in an odd pattern. Moving in a strange rhythm it forms an arrow. Shooting itself like it was attached to an invisible bow and released, it flies high and lands on the ground a half foot away.
Crouching down, I brush away dirt and find a metal plate. I place my hand on the square. It warms under my touch.
The triangle on my upper arm warms. My fingers brush across the surface. Pain lances through me. I stumble back. Droplets of blood fall to the ground.
“What happened?” Kirk takes hold of my bleeding finger.
“I don’t –” The door rumbles and swings open.
“It was blood-warded to make sure no one but her family could enter,” Bo whispers.
“That’s powerful magic,” Kirk adds.
“Why would your family go through that trouble?” Bo’s brow wrinkles.
Excitement builds inside me like carbonation in a drink. “I don’t know, but we’re about to find out.”
“No.” Bo thrusts his arm in front of me. “You can’t go first.”
“If I don’t, you’ll probably be burnt to a crisp.” I thumb at the turbulent sea of energy. The pale bluish green energy rolls like thick smoke.
“We don’t know what it’ll do,” Bo protests.
“It’s almost like you care,” I stick my hand in and the others cry out in protest. The choppy energy fades away. “See I’m fine.”
“You’re a damned menace,” Cadoc growls suddenly beside us.
“That was reckless and stupid.” Fell barks.
“And yet, I’m fine. Let’s see what they worked so hard to keep hidden.” I aim my flashlight into the hole and find a built-in metal ladder.
“Shine a light for them, I’m going to keep watch.” Cadoc shifts. Man becomes wolf in a seamless transition that speaks to control and strength. Fur replaces skin and bones elongate. His frame increases to impressive proportions.
I use the beams of light to swing a leg over and begin my descent into the dark hole.
Carefully traversing the dusty tunnel, I sneeze. Grit sticks to my fingers. I shake the dust off, disgusted by the thick layer of grime. Thrown off balance, my foot slips. My body slams against the railing. Hooking my arm through the rung, I hold on tight.
“Yl?”
“Princess.”
“I’m fine. I just slipped.” Their protective instincts surprise me. As much as I hate to admit it, things are changing.
“Be careful.” Fell says.
I nod. “I wasn’t trying to break my neck.”
I reach the bottom. Grateful to have my feet on the ground, I wipe my palms on my jeans and pull the flashlight from my pocket.
The light slices through the darkness and I see the tunnel I’d traveled in my dream.
“What do you see?” Kirk asks.
“A hallway.”
“Wait for us,” Bo demands.
“Yes, Your Highness.” I roll my eyes.
“Finally, you acknowledge my nobility,” Bo says cheekily.
“Cocky bastard.” I hide my smile.
“Are you thinking about my cock, love?” Bo yells down.
“Yeah, ripping it off if you bring it near me,” I call back.
Kirk’s laughter drowns out his response. I grin. I love seeing the somber man lighten up. He’d been dealt a bad hand that changed him in ways that hurt my heart. Like me, he’s a victim of circumstances bigger than him.
They join me and we turn to face the darkness. Despite the filth, the enclosed space doesn’t feel negative. We walk down the hallway. I stop a few feet away from the opening. I’ll never be able to unknow whatever it is I’m about to discover.
“What’s wrong?” Kirk asks.
