“I don’t like this,” Therese said, huddling in her pocket.
Freya walked up to the doorway at the head of the room and looked about. She was quick and silent on her feet. Erik followed after her, in her shadow.
My hand, holding a dagger, was already growing sweaty. With any luck, we would go undetected for a while and could locate our friends before the witch even knew we were here.
But that was asking a lot. Even the Fates had their limits.
“Where should we start looking?” Freya asked as I joined them.
Erik looked up at the ceiling of the next room, as if expecting to be attacked from above. “In my experience, dungeons are buried in the bowels of castles, hidden from view and well-protected.”
“That’s assuming you’re not a crazy, all-powerful wizard,” I pointed out, then frowned. “And how would you know? Seen many dungeons, have you?”
“You broke me out of one,” he reminded me.
We shadowed Freya as she led us through another room that opened out to a balcony overlooking the lava moat. “Well, that’s a dead end,” Erik murmured.
I leaned out over the balcony and squinted. There were bars on the windows below us to the left. As if prisoners could escape this damned place surrounded by lava. I considered. I supposed flying prisoners could. Perhaps Narcissa had.
“This way,” I said. The others fell into step behind me, until I stopped at a doorway that had steps leading down, an iron gate barring our path.
I eyed the padlock. I knew a potion that could make the lock fall apart easily, if only I had my cloak. Unfortunately, all I had was a clunky dagger. I wouldn’t be able to do much with that.
Erik held up his axe, as if to strike the lock with it.
“No, no, no,” Freya put a hand to his arm. “I may be tired from that portal, but I can still create a small rune. I mean, unless you want the whole castle to know that we’re here.”
Erik blinked, then lowered the axe.
Smiling, Freya put a hand up until her fingertips glowed. Then she traced a few squiggly lines over the lock before it opened with a soft click. Much simpler than the portal runes.
“That was a lovely display of magic,” Therese complimented her.
“Thank you,” Freya said. “It was one of the first runes I learned. My parents locked everything, as if that would keep me out.”
“Yes, we’re all very impressed,” I said, looking around, “but let’s get moving before you-know-who shows up.”
Freya took the lead again, barreling down the stairs. I would have preferred a stealthier approach but followed in her footsteps without complaint. At the bottom of a long staircase, we continued down a hallway lined with torches that sent unnerving shadows flickering over the walls. At the end of the hall was a room with iron bars fitted along one wall. A figure was rocking on the floor, praying as we approached, but as soon as he heard us, he jumped up and peered out from between the bars.
I felt myself tear up as I took in Auggie. He looked just as before, not a scratch or burn on him. I rushed over to him.
“Thank God,” Auggie breathed.
“You’re okay,” I said. I was feeling rather more emotional than I was used to. I reached through the bars and squeezed his hand. I smiled. “He didn’t hurt you?”
Auggie shook his head. His eyes were shining with tears. “I thought you were dead.”
“Lucky for you we can take the heat.” I paused as I noted cloth wrapped around his ankle.
Noticing my look, Auggie explained, “It’s better, but I wrapped it. To compress it so it won’t be so easy to reinjure.”
I smiled. “My clever little human.”
“Humans have been doing this for a long time.”
“Hmph.” Humans may have been more clever than I gave them credit for.
“Were you praying just now?” Erik asked.
