“We can do that later, Beth,” he soothed her.
“Yes. Get me out of here, Nathan. I don’t like this place.”
Walter barked, clearly not happy being ignored.
“Walter led me to you, sweetheart, and he will lead us out, I promise.”
“I-I shall find the biggest b-bone I can for him,” she whispered. “Nathan?”
“Right here,” he said, trying to see if she was injured. The pitch black of the tunnel made it nearly impossible.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m too cold to hurt,” she whispered pressing herself back into his body. “How did you know to find me down here?”
“The story is a long one, as yours is. For now, let me get you out.” Nathan took her hand. “Lead us out, Walter.”
“You don’t understand what I’ve done.” She squeezed his fingers.
“Your mother told me some of it, Beth.”
“I’m a thief, a traitor to my country. My father—”
“I read the papers you sent me, sweetheart. You did not do anything by choice but by coercion.”
“Justin Logan—”
“Will be dealt with,” Nathan said.
“Nathan!” Gabe’s roar reached him from up ahead.
“Here!”
Suddenly the tunnel was full of noise as his brothers ran to him.
“You were reckless and foolhardy to run off as you did! Had we not found you, you would have stayed down here forever!” Gabe roared.
“I found her,” Nathan said easing Beth forward. She is cold, and I suspect hurting. Get us out, Gabe.” He knew the eldest Deville’s rage came from worry.
Gabe moved closer and reached out a hand to touch Beth’s cheek.
“She is ice-cold.” Taking off his cloak, he wrapped that around her too. “It’s all right now, Beth, you are safe.”
She made a little sobbing sound.
“Lead on, Walter,” Nathan said, pulling her to his side.
The trek out was not undertaken at a run, so took longer. Beth stumbled several times, but Nathan held her upright. When she fell, he picked her up and carried her the remainder of the way to the exit. Nix and two other men were waiting for them when they reached the grate they’d entered through what felt like hours before.
“I was just about to go down and look for you myself.” He peered down at them.
“Of course you were,” Michael said, climbing out first. He then helped Beth out. Nathan followed. Gabe and Zach hefted Walter out both grunting.
“Call us a hackney, Nix.”
“At once, Lord Raine.” The man hurried off.
Nathan once again picked Beth up, and he and his brothers followed Nix along the street.
