“That was an elaborate welcome.” Cadoc peers into the darkened space.
We step across the threshold and a strange burnt yellow glow begins to form in the small space. Fenrir’s blessing covers the inside of the shanty.
Cautious, Cadoc steps inside. He nears a lantern with pieces of flint beside it.
“He was incredibly committed to living off the grid,” Bo he looks around. His face is twisted in disgust.
“Or he was that old.” Fell lifts a copper kidney-shaped canteen.
“Why would he not have been a part of the pack?” Kirk asks.
“I don’t know,” A spark catches onto the wick. Light illuminates the small space.
Beautiful depictions of wolves on handmade papyrus in chalk and ink hang on the walls. A cast iron cauldron hangs in a corner of the fireplace.
“He’s been living here off the land a long time,” Fell observes.
A twinge of pain hits me. I understand what it is to be alone in the world.
“And not always alone.” Kirk nods his head at a large drawing of a woman with kind eyes.
“What do you think happened to her?” Impressed, I study the crisp lines, and detailed shading.
“Old age? Maybe a run-in with a bear out here?”
Fell gives possible answers.
“None of this explains why he was looking for me, or even how he found me.”
We investigate the room. A dim glow stands out on the ground beneath a small wooden table. Crouching, I touch place my hand over the strange spot on the floor. A cold draft caresses my palm.
“The energy feels different here.” I knock on the ground. It echoes.
“It’s hollow.” Fell shoves the table aside and brushes his hand over the area to remove the dirt. The floor shifts.
An old burlap sack’s been painted to blend in with the floor. Pitching it, he reveals a metal door with a round handle.
“What in the Nancy Drew mysteries is going on here?” I whisper.
Kirk clears his throat. “Something tells me all our answers are going to be behind this door.”
“I’m afraid to find out what would make a man this devoted to protecting it,” Bo says.
Cadoc knocks. We wait in silence, straining to hear the sound of something stirring.
“Nothing.” I bite my lip.
“Grab the lanterns, we’re going down.” Cadoc opens the door with ease.
A waft of stale air slaps us in the face. I cough as the dust kicked up. Holding out the lantern, I look down and find an underground tunnel.
“I’ll go first,” Bo volunteers. “If your gigantic shoulders aren’t going to fit, we want to know before we’re down here, Cadoc.” Prick.
Bo takes the lantern and disappears down the hole. My stomach clenches and I hold my breath as he begins to crawl, dispersing earth. I hear clumps falling like raindrops.
If anything kills him, I want it to be me, not something lurking in the darkness.
“Oh, it gets bigger, and opens up into a cave,” Bo’s voice drifts up a few moments later, and the tension in my spine eases.
“You can all fit through the tunnel. It’s actually been well maintained. Send Princess next. I don’t want her up there in that creepy shack alone.”
“Careful, I might think you’re starting to care,” I fake the playful tone to hide how concerned I was about him. I lower myself into the cold, tight tunnel opening.
My hands brush over the packed earth. With only the beam of light to guide me, I’m forced to trust him. The trek is spooky as my shoulders brush damp earth. My hand swipes a cobweb, and I jerk.
Just focus on what’s ahead of you. Don’t think about the walls boxing you in. I breathe easier when the area widens. Seeing Bo at the end of the tunnel is a massive relief.
He helps me stand and I exhale.
“Okay Princess?” He smiles crookedly. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the dark.”
“I’m fine, your Highness.” I pat his chest and smirk. “You have dirt on your face though.”
Scowling he swipes at his cheek, spreading the dust. I giggle. He lifts his sweater and my laughter dies in the face of his six-pack with a happy trail disappearing into his pants. I admire the muscles until he lowers his top and I peer away.
“You can look anytime you want, Princess.”
Heat floods my cheeks. I ignore his teasing. The rest of the clan joins us and we walk forward. When we exit the cave, I marvel at the large arches carved into stone.
