The world comes back into chaos around me, and I hear Kasaros’ laughter ringing through the cavern along with the screams. This is what he thrives upon.
Bael rears up, plucking Kari from her bonds. She’s screaming in horror, but he’s gentle as he turns and sinks back down onto all fours, settling her at his feet protectively.
I run toward them as he starts shrinking down, body melding back into a man. A very naked man.
“Zyla.” She bursts into tears when she sees me.
I throw myself into her arms, squeezing her tight. The ground starts to tremble beneath me. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.We’vegot you.”
“You came for me.”
“Always. Together we rise.” I squeeze her one last time, then brush the tears from her face. “But we don’t have time to fall apart. We have to get out of here.” Even the walls are shuddering now, crystal stalactites breaking from their lengths and plunging to the crystal floors. They shatter into a million pieces. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Kasaros is going to rearrange the Labyrinth again.”
And if we’re caught in here, then we’re dead.
“This way,” Bael says grimly, hauling on a pair of trousers he’s found from somewhere.
“No, wait!” Kari grabs me as I turn to go. “I overheard Rhykus talking to the baron. There’s a doorway down this tunnel that leads to the end of the maze! It’s a portal. They were going to take me through it the second they killed you both.”
The floors begin to shudder.
I exchange a look with Bael.
He nods grimly. “The baron has one somewhere here.”
“Let’s go then!” I drag Kari forward and we start sprinting toward the tunnel.
Above us, dozens of crystal spears suddenly plunge down, heading straight for us.
Bael slams into us both, driving us onto the floor. We slide into the tunnel, just as the stalactites shatter exactly where we were standing. A hunter coughs blood, impaled through the top of his head. Others crawl in bloody circles, crying and sobbing.
I have no sympathy for any of them.
“Let’s finish this,” Bael says grimly, hauling us to our feet.
Chapter 16
Bael
Beware the Trickster God. Even when he appears to have folded one hand of cards, you may find yourself dealing with an entirely different hand if you blink.”
—ANCIENT IRON KINGDOM PROVERB
Avault door appears ahead of us, shiny with brass. A dozen runes circle the handle.
“This must be it,” Kari whispers, looking dismayed as she presses her hands against it.
“I’ve seen this before,” I tell the women. “The runes are a code. If you pick the right combination, it unlocks the door and the end of the maze should be on the other side.”
“But which ones do we press?” Zyla asks.
Kari squints at the runes. “A bridge. A lightning bolt. A maze. A full moon. Flames. A rose. A house. Ruins. A mask. A knife. A dragon. And… a whip? Is this some sort of language from your world?”
“Not one that I’m aware of, no.”
“Can you work it out?” Zyla asks Kari. “This is what you do, is it not?”
“Not codes, no. I translate languages.” Kari taps her lip. “But this doesn’t seem like a language. Or is it… a message? Wait.” She traces her fingers over the lightning bolt. “Maybe it’s supposed to tell a story.” She glances at Zyla, her cheeks heating. “Maybe it’s supposed to tellyourstory? What came first?”
