Reyla’s eyes widened and she leaned close to me. “Real or…”
I suspected we’d find out.
Moira stopped at the door to our cell, though she didn’t hold a tray of food this time. Another break in the labyrinth pattern. Her shoulders hunched, and her gaze darted toward the corridor on her left. “The guard will be back soon. We don’t have much time.”
She pressed a finger to her lips as she knelt in front of the door, sliding something through the narrow gap.
“I can’t say long.” She straightened, lowering her voice. “I…It cost me a lot to get this for you.”
I picked up the rune that looked eerily like the one “she’d” given us inside the labyrinth.
Footsteps echoed from our right.
With a look of panic, Moira darted into the empty cell across from ours, where she dropped down in front of it and crawled beneath to hide.
The guard strode past us, his hand still on the hilt of the blade he wore strapped to his side, Reyla’s small knife shifting along with him in his shoulder. Blood still trickled down his arm.
When he’d rounded the corner, Moira scooted out from beneath the bunk and rushed back to our cell, gripping the bars tight. Her hair swirled wildly around her face and a flush filled her cheeks.
Reyla placed her hands over Moira’s, holding tight.
“Poor thing, you’re frozen,” Wildfire said.
“Terrified is more like it.” Tears shimmered in Moira’s eyes, but she tightened her jaw. “We’ve got to get you out of her now.”
What if this really was Moira and not an illusion like inside the labyrinth?
“When I heard they’d figure out who you were, Mother and I hid in our suite. They came looking for us, but we didn’t let them find us.” Her chin lifted. “I’m not the best with magic, but look at this.” Stepping back, she scrunched her face. Her hands formed fists at her sides.
She disappeared, reappearing a short time after.
“I’ve been practicing, but sadly, I can’t hold the spell for long. Mother has the same skill.” There was her sunny smile again, though tension still held her body stiff. “We don’t have much time. That guard will be back soon. There’s something odd about him. About this entire situation, but I spoke with a friend in the kitchen, and he had a friend with greater power than mine. She crafted the rune that’ll unlock your door and told me where to find you.” Her breath snagged in her throat. “He’s coming back. Hold on.”
She raced back to her hiding spot across the hall, returning as soon as the guard had passed.
“Use the rune to get out.” She tilted her head toward her right. “Take that corridor. I’ll be waiting. My friend told me where to go, where I can hide you once we get out of the dungeon. Mother’s waiting, but you need to hurry.” She scooted down the hall, rounding the corner.
Reyla and I exchanged looks, and it was clear she was as unsure as me.
The guard strode past our cell once more. After he’d turned the corner, Reyla picked up the rune and pressed it against the lock.
A sharp hum cut through the air, the iron glowing before fading. The lock clicked and Reyla was able to pull the door open. We both winced as it groaned.
Moira appeared at our left, peeking around the wall. “Follow me. Quickly,” she cried out, already turning to hurry away.
As before, she led us past empty cells, their doors open. Shadows stretched across the damp floor and the smell of mildew hung in the air.
When she rounded the corner a few steps ahead of us, she came to a gasping halt.
Her guttural groan echoed off the stone walls.
She spun toward us, her eyes wide with shock and pain, a sword buried deep in her belly.
Blood seeped across her dress.
Chapter 40
Reyla
