“We thought he might have used one because Decebel and Sorin said they couldn’t reach their alpha through the pack bonds,” Disir explained.
“It’s only in this room,” Peri’s face was a mask of frustration. “And it was triggered by something being touched.”
Elle rolled her eyes. “Who did that?”
Thalion sighed. “I did.”
Elle grinned. “Cyn will never let you live that down.”
Decebel noted no one bothered to mention that Cyn could only hold it over Thalion’s head if they got out of there.
A throat cleared, and everyone’s head turned to look at Clarion. He stood just on the other side of the tunnel opening. “This is one of those moments when I truly wished our kind had the ability to flash.”
“Yep,” Peri chirped. “Sucks to be a djinn.”
“Mate.” Lucian growled.
“What?” She huffed. “I just mean it sucks in this moment, not in general. Although I could go into a list of reasons why, in general, it sucks to be any other supernatural but a fae.”
“Too bad the nulling spell didn’t include taking away the ability to speak,” Elle muttered.
Peri opened her mouth, but Fane spoke before she could. “What options do we have? With Clarion out there”—he pointed at the elder—“we’re no longer sitting ducks.”
“I could find my way back out and get help,” Clarion offered.
“It’s a bloody labyrinth,” Sorin snorted. “By the time you make your way out, Alston could show up and take us out like a bunch of trapped rats.”
“That begs a question,” Synica said. “Where is Alston?”
Peri scanned the room. “Probably watching us from some hidden camera and laughing.”
“What happened to thinking positively?” Lucian raised his eyebrows at his mate.
Decebel blew out a breath and focused back on Clarion. “I don’t think finding your way out is an option. Like Sorin said, it could take too long.”
Clarion opened his mouth to speak but snapped it shut when the mountain suddenly gave a tremendous shudder. Small rocks fell from the walls, and the ground beneath them trembled.
“What the hell is that?” Elle whipped her head around as if she could see what caused the trembling.
Decebel watched as Fane closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The alpha opened his eyes and looked at Decebel. “How many of Alston’s people did you encounter while coming through the tunnels?”
“Only a handful,” Decebel answered.
“There should have been more,” Fane said.
Peri’s eyes lit with realization. “We followed way more people into the mountain.”
“You think they left the mountain once we were deep inside?” Lucian looked at Fane.
Fane nodded. “And if they did, that means they’re outside. I ordered some of our people to stay behind.” Fane tapped his forehead, indicating he’d given that command through the alpha bond.
“Who?” Decebel asked.
“Costin and Drake,” he answered. “And I told them to keep a djinn there as well.” He held Decebel with his stare.
“I wouldn’t have stayed if you’d ordered me to.” Decebel knew what Fane was thinking. Costin had a pregnant mate, and Drake had a young infant. Fane would no doubt try to protect those in their pack with vulnerable mates.
“Exactly why I didn’t try to.” Frustration laced Fane’s words.
