The red lights had stopped moving. Each person in our group had been hauled to the side by a Hush.
“We will lead them to where she is hidden. Where they are both hidden,” Thrum said. “But you must remain.”
It was a trick. It had to be a trick. But then Lu was in front of me, her eyes narrowed, her teeth bared, weapon raised.
“Let him go,” she snarled.
Thrum released me and somehowflowedout from behind me, reforming just out of Lu’s reach. Another Hush, who had been behind Lu formed next to him.
“We will lead you to the Rabbit and Shadow. But he must stay,” Thrum said. “Mother Hush will know if he enters the chamber. He bears her mark.”
“Let them all go,” Lu demanded.
The Hush released Pamela, Elmer, and Josie. The hunters backed up to us, weapons raised.
“We will help you find them,” Thrum said. “We will take you to them.”
“Why should we believe you?” I asked.
“If they try anything, I’ll kill them.” Val and his wolf appeared next to Lu, the wolf growling, Val looking like vengeance unleashed.
The Hush moved backward, away from him.
“What?” Lu asked.
“Val,” I said.
“Mother Hush’s mistake was killing me the first time,” Val said. “I know her now. I know how to destroy her, and I know how to destroy you.”
Thrum was the only Hush who stepped forward to face him. “Tell them to follow us. We will take you to the Moon and Shadow.”
Lu caught my eyes in the low light. “Yes?” she asked.
“Val?” I asked.
“Tell her yes, Brogan,” he said. “Abbi’s down there.”
“Val says she’s down there,” I said. “He also said he’ll kill the Hush if they lead us into a trap.”
“Itisa trap,” Thrum said with what sounded like exasperation. “But if we are quick, we may escape before it’s sprung. You should stay here,” he said to me.
“No,” Lu said again. “We don’t separate.”
Thrum tipped his head and made a sound that might have been a sigh. “More important for her to be taken from here. If you insist on risking him, come.”
He stepped past Lu and pressed something on the right side of the steep tunnel. The stones opened to reveal a wide tunnel. Lichen glowed a delicate blue from floor to ceiling in beautiful lacework patterns.
“Maybe I should stay,” I said to Lu.
“No.” The one word was fierce. “I’m not losing you.”
Lu moved, swiftly following the Hush into the indigo-blue light.
I glanced at Val. “Stay with us. With her.”
“I know.” He split again, his wolf leaping away from him and moving to the back of our group, while the human shape of him ghosted ahead, catching up with Lu.
I jogged after them, Elmer muttering and cursing about the damned shady Hush were not to be trusted, and that youneversplit up the group in caverns where it would be too damn easy to get so lost you died.
