My sister isn’t weakened by iron, so if there’s a way out, she can find it.
Evie,Aspen says into my mind, cutting through the chaos of my thoughts. His voice comes across barely louder than a whisper, expressing just how weakened he’s becoming.You don’t have to leave her in there if you aren’t comfortable with it.
I bristle at that, even though I know my irritation isn’t meant for him. I’m more annoyed at myself for wearing my internal debate so clearly that he could see it.
I sense Aspen’s approaching presence before I feel the brush of his hand on my lower back. It soothes me, steadies my mind.
I turn to Fehr. “Thank you for showing me the dungeon. I think it will serve me quite well should anyone give me a reason to utilize it.” I enunciate this last part, flashing my sister a warning glare.
Her eyes widen, and I’m not sure if it’s from fear or surprise that I’m not locking her up. I hold her gaze, letting the veiled threat hang heavy between us so she understands what I’m trying to convey. I’ll give her a chance to prove me wrong, but I’ll be watching her every move, waiting for the moment she tries to betray me. And if she does, I’ll be ready.
Fire burns inside me, so hot it helps drown out the hidden truth I refuse to acknowledge—that maybe I’m not keeping her close just to catch her in the act of betraying me. Maybe I’m doing it because, somewhere deep down, I want to trust her.
* * *
The first testof the strength of my commands comes when I order Amelie to remain in the dungeon hall with the guards and Breeda while the rest of us make our way downstairs. Foxglove and Lorelei only make it to the bottom of the final stair before the scent of iron overcomes them. Fehr’s flame has completely extinguished, leaving only my blue fire to light our way as the djinn, Aspen, and I make our way down the black hall. Our pace is agonizingly slow, considering the weakened state of my two companions, and only adds to the eerie quality of our surroundings. The hall is made of the same volcanic rock as the dungeon, but there are no caverns or corridors along the way. There’s nothing but a winding black tunnel that makes my skin prickle amidst its eerie quiet.
“You’re sure it’s at the end of this hall?” I ask, my whispered voice creating an unsettling echo.
“Like I said, I’ve never been able to get close enough to see it for myself.” Fehr’s voice is even weaker than it was upstairs, for once devoid of its bitter edge. “I’ve glimpsed a door though. Also, I know this tunnel is where Ustrin often took his human allies.”
His human allies must refer to Mr. Duveau, who I’m sure is responsible for providing these weapons in the first place. They’d formed a secret truce, one I’m not sure I entirely understand. They both seemed united by the need to maintain the treaty for the sole reason of hoarding the power it gave them. What exactly had they bargained?
With a grunt, Aspen doubles over. My heart races as I whirl toward him and bring my free hand to his cheek. A sheen of sweat coats his entire face, expression twisted in agony. My throat feels tight, and a sudden stab of pain comes through the Bond, pain that isn’t mine. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, although I’m not sure what I’m apologizing for. He insisted on coming with me as far as he could, and we agreed it’s imperative to confirm the location of the weapons stash.
“It’s all right,” he says with a gasp. “This is as far as I can go.”
“I won’t be able to go much farther either,” Fehr says, “but I can at least make it to the point where I can see the door.”
A rush of fear goes through me at the thought of approaching the end of a dark tunnel alone. All I can do is seek my inner fire to burn away my trepidation and hope Ustrin hadn’t left me a trap to waltz into.
Fehr and I continue on farther down until he too doubles over and sags against the wall. With one hand grasping his chest, the other points down the hall. “You should see it,” he mutters. “The door.”
With a deep breath, I take a step away from the djinn and hold out my ball of flame. There’s only a slight bend in the tunnel, and as my eyes adjust, I see the edge of something flat and metallic. With the door in sight, I hurry forward. Just like Fehr had assumed, the tunnel ends in an enormous wooden door. The metal I’d glimpsed is a bar that crosses it. I slow my steps as I approach, eyes flashing left and right for any sign of hidden threats. Finally, the door is within reach.
I brace my free hand beneath the bar, which appears to be solid iron, and lift.
Nothing.
I touch my flame to the ground, willing it to remain in place. Luckily, it obeys, illuminating the door as I struggle to lift the bar with both hands now.
It doesn’t even budge.
With a grumble, I retrieve my flame and storm away from the door.
“Well, that was disappointing,” I say to Fehr once I reach him. “The door is barred with iron and I’m the only one who can get close enough.” Well, aside from Amelie, of course, but I don’t say so. Besides, I’m not even sure the both of us could lift it together if we tried. “How was Ustrin able to use this room at all?”
“His human allies were the only ones who could enter the room itself,” he says, pushing off the wall to right himself on unsteady feet. “I believe his use of these weapons was contingent upon compliance with them.”
That explains why Ustrin only used iron weapons twice, to my knowledge. At least this serves as proof that none of the Renounced could reach the weapons room. If not even Aspen and a powerful djinn can, then I doubt there’s any fae alive that could fare much better.
Then again, the Renounced aren’t our only enemies, and our other foes have no problem with iron.
12
Night has fallen by the time we make it back to the atrium upstairs. Fehr snaps his fingers, bringing orbs of light over the sconces on the walls and throwing the area under a warm glow. The color seems to be coming back to my fae companions’ faces, although the mood is significantly subdued. Conversation shifts to talk of meals, baths, and bedroom accommodations, which Fehr leaves to arrange for us. Breeda trails after him, insisting she must have final say over the best room for me.
As our guards move to stand watch at opposite ends of the atrium, and Foxglove and Lorelei leave us to lounge by one of the windows, I realize this is the first opportunity I’ve had all day to be somewhat alone with Aspen. As if he can sense my thoughts, he catches my eye with a grin. It pains me to see the effort he puts into the expression after so much strength was expended downstairs. I’m only glad the iron store doesn’t affect him or my friends up here.
