But I have a sense that what the invitation holds is to spend eternity lost in this subterranean prison.
“Is anyone else thirsty?” Donovan’s voice is deadened in the enclosed space. “I’d forgotten what it feels like to need water. And food. I could really go for chicken-fried steak and hashbrowns right now.” His wistful tone suddenly shifts. “Fuck! Guys! NO! If I’m hungry after being down here for just an hour, then Wes, if he didn’t find his way out…”
I can’t help but snap. “You just now coming to that realization, dumbass? That Wes and Maximus were probably fucked months ago?”
“Stop it! They’re alive, I know they are,” the dud says firmly as we enter an even narrower artery. “We can’t panic; all we can do is follow Ludo.”
This is what my life has come to, putting my faith in a bovine janitor.
The little gang ahead of me reverts to walking single file. I can hear Donovan mumbling to himself. “Spiders don’t exist in other dimensions. This is just a feeling. My thoughts are not facts.”
Oh yes. I remember his intense arachnophobia. Seems like some of the therapy he did stuck. I’ve never been claustrophobic, but now, with a giant dragon living beneath my skin, small spaces don’t suit me. The dragon wants the sky. He wants to spreadwings that I don't technically have right now. The rock walls feel like they are crushing me.
On and on we go. The janitor is a machine, taking twists and turns without a single pause for contemplation. He’s headed in one destination, and one destination only. I can only hope that it’s out of here.
Suddenly, the bull halts, turning on a giant heel and pushing himself in front of the girl.
“Something's coming!” Theodora cries out, panic in her voice. “And it’s not good.”
The minotaur spreads his mass to form a solid wall of muscle. Instinctively, I move to join the others circling the girl. My dragon growls a command in the back of my mind—Guard her.It’s annoying, but I can’t help but obey.
A growl echoes through the tunnels. Deep. Hungry.
And then again.
Sounding far too fucking close.
7
Aspine-chilling howl echoes through the tunnels. This terrain is a nightmare.
Too many blind spots, it’s a kill box in the making.
Ludo, Donovan, and I immediately form a shield around Theo. I jab a finger at the centaur. “Shit goes down, take Theo and get out of here.”
Surprisingly, Drakeward joins us in the defensive circle. “Drakeward, cover the back. Ludo, you’re the tank—front and center. Theo, move to the cavern wall.”
My eyes scan, assessing. Theo’s breath comes in short gasps against my side. “Ludo doesn’t know what it is.”
“Keep it together, pulu,” I tell her. My eyes scan the cave. This is, tactically, a shit position to be in.
Another howl.
Glancing at Donovan, I note his body is flexed and prepared to attack. Good.
I don’t need to check to know Ludo is ready to lay down his life for this girl. As am I.
The low growl sounds closer. Cosmo flinches, and I watch as a deep ripple travels down his spine; he’s holding his dragon in, but only just. “Don’t fucking shift,” I hiss at him. “You’ll crush us all.”
“Not as simple as it sounds,” he snaps back.
“Work on it.”
Drakeward takes another deep breath, and the rippling begins to subside.
I turn my attention to Theo. “Crouch down behind that rock pile, be ready to move.”
“I’m not leaving you all to fight while I hide,” she whispers. Obviously, I admire her intention, but she will just distract us from tackling the threat. We don't have the time for these conversations.
