“Who knew the Underground was actually underground?” I grumbled as I almost lost my footing on a loose rock.
This entrance was at the base of a mountain, likely an old mine shaft they had repurposed for their dealings. It was dusty and smelled like old blood.
I had left Vesper and Cedar at home, telling them I was going to meet Caspian, and gave them a task to find something in the palace. Since I didn't let Cedar go to the witches, we were running on the little information we knew.
And because we were assuming this had to be some type of witch ritual, I asked them to find runes. I wasn’t sure if they truly bought it, but it would at least give me some time. I needed to keep my feelings in check so as not to disclose anything through the bond.
I was starting to doubt if Adrian truly was using a witch ritual.Especially after what Solei said.But I didn't have time to entertain silly notions such as that.
I wrinkled my nose as I walked further in.
There were no lights, with likely all their people relying on their vampire senses to make it in safely.
“Sometimes the best disguises are the simplest ones.”
A voice came from the darkness. I squinted, but even my vampire sight felt useless here. I could make out their movements as they walked, but the darkness seemed to cling to them, creating a shadow of a person.
Then I smelled it. A pungent, burning smell of wood.
“I didn’t know they accepted witches,” I noted and tried not to freeze when the voice spoke right by my ear.
“We have creatures you never even thought walked this earth hidden away. But one thing’s for sure: we don’t accept your kind,Princess.” The voice was clearly feminine. Her hand reached out to touch me, and I turned to face her.
The sunlight coming from behind her blocked out the majority of her features, but I could make out the white-streaked short hair and glowing red eyes.
“You found this place, which means someone has a big mouth. Either they decided you needed our help, or they sent you as…” She was suddenly behind me again. “Bait.Which is it?”
“I’m surprised you don’t know. After all, you are the ruler of this place, are you not?” I asked, ignoring a shiver. “There is a thorn in my side, and I am in the process of getting rid of it. I came to inquire if the Underground would like a stake in it.”
The chuckle she let out had the smallest bit of fear spiking in my heart. She sounded almost as crazed as my brother.
I just hoped she was more willing to listen than him.
After all, she would get the most out of this.
“I never said I was the ruler,” she said.
“Don’t try to act modest now,” I answered with a smile.
She scoffed.
“We don’t want anything to do with the above-ground world. All you do is fight us. Harm us. Throw us away like trash.”
Her hatred feels real.
“I see you care for your people,” I told her as her magic surrounded us. It went around my arms. My legs. Throat. Then it squeezed. “I care for mine too, that’s why I’m doing this.”
“I don’t take kindly toliars. Try again.”
She squeezed harder, making it difficult to think through my panic.
“It’s truly a part of it,” I forced out, my hand coming to grasp at nothing.
“But not all,” she hissed. “One more time,try again.”
“For the people I love!” I said hastily. “For us. I want to end this prophecy and live the life we deserve.”
She let the words linger in the air as if tasting them.
