“Sounds good to me.” Dorion’s attention remained on the stairs, where Laphira had disappeared to. “I’ll start at the top floor and work my way down.”
“I’ll begin in the dungeons,” Lore said.
“Why don’t I start on the second floor, Lore, and you and I can meet on this level once we’ve finished with the others,” I said. “Then we can work our way up to Dorion.”
Lore leaned close and pretty much growled. “Promise me you'll be careful.” He framed my face with his hands. “I can't lose you.”
Always.I kissed him quickly.Find that key. Save your life.
As I headed for the stairs with Farris bounding beside me, a scream echoed from somewhere deep within the castle.
Chapter 25
Lore
Itook the eastern stairwell down, the one beyond the main kitchen. The stone steps curved sharply and were slick with moss, and I had to duck low to avoid cracking my head on the rough-cut ceiling. The farther I went, the more frigid the air became, a deep chill that settled in my bones.
Death clung to these walls. I could taste it in the stagnant air, feel it in the way shadows moved as if guided by evil magic.
I’d rarely used the dungeon at Evergorne. I preferred working with my people to find a solution than locking them up and starving them into submission. Unlike many of my ancestors.
These cells had seen too much suffering. The stones themselves seemed to whisper of torture and despair.
The air stank like rotting flesh and something burned. Old spellwork clung to the mortar. The magic felt hungry, waiting for fresh blood to feed on. I didn’t sense it was active, but it wasn’t quite dead yet either. The magic hovered somewhere in between, eager to trap whoever came too near.
Lights guttered in their brackets, barely enough to cast shadows that made the other searchers twitchy. I passed a woman whispering to herself as she sorted through a barrel full of rusted cutlery, but a quick glance didn’t reveal anything worth challenging her for the right to touch.
A hot key, huh?
I doubted I’d find what we were looking for in this part of the castle, but I’d search everywhere until I found it.
I kept going, determined to get through this section quickly and return to Reyla upstairs. I didn’t like her searching alone. Every instinct screamed at me to abandon this foolish game and find her. She was too brave for her own good, and that terrified me.
How are things going?I injected a drawl into my voice to keep her from guessing that I worried about her all the time.
Couldn’t be better. Any luck?
Not so far.
Me either, though I’ve unveiled too many clumps of dust. Queen Naveer needs to speak with her staff. They’re getting lazy.
Her voice in my mind was the only thing keeping me sane in this place of death.
I miss you where I didn’t know I could ache.I lifted a key lying in the corner at the base of the stairs. Cold.Every part of me reaches for you.I miss you behind my ribs. Deep within my bones. Even in the soles of my feet.
Feet?I could feel her snicker that dropped off, her voice getting serious.I miss you too. All the time.
I paused at an open cell and stepped inside, finding nothing but a bunk with rotting bedding and nothing beneath; the walls dripping condensation. Returning to the hall, I continued, studying the ceiling and corners in case they’d tucked it into the mortar.
You’re safe?Down here in the dark, imagining her facing unknown dangers alone made my chest tight.She was never safe unless I stood guard over her, armed and ready.
I am. Farris is watching out for me.
And I was grateful he was with her.You will tell me if you feel threatened for even one instant.
Lore. I’m fine. Let’s find that key and give it to Naveer. Then we can take a walk.Her voice deepened.Or a bath.
I'm looking forward to celebrating when this is over. We will celebrate. Thoroughly.
