“Show me.”
No question, no skepticism. Just certainty. She loved him a little more for not doubting her.
She focused on the pull and moved toward a clump of trees. When she was sure, she led them straight to the spot in the brush and pointed.
The door was real.
A steel panel, disguised beneath bark and moss, was almost invisible until they were close enough to touch it. Bryn pressed her palm against its cold surface. “Here. This is it.”
Lars clasped her shoulder. “Well done.”
She wanted to hug the man for the first sign of acceptance that she had felt from him.
Sven grabbed her to stop her. “If your dream is correct, Alitta is waiting for us. She has to know by now that we have Magnus, so she has nothing to lose. You have to be careful.”
“I know you’re not going to tell me I have to stay out here.”
He kissed her hard. “I wouldn’t dream of it. It wouldn’t do me much good anyhow.”
Lars snorted. “Look who’s talking.”
“Are you ready for this?” Sven’s jaw clenched. He reached for the door and Lars gave him a nod. He wrenched it open, and the three of them slipped into the underground dark.
One thing her dream hadn’t prepared her for was the stench. The bunker stank of rust and damp air. Dim light glared overhead from fixtures that buzzed faintly. Somehow, Bryn led them through the corridors without a mishap. She stopped and pointed ahead.
“Up there is where Erik is.”
Lars growled. “I don’t like this. Where are all the Skelvarns? Why is this place deserted?”
“Either they don’t expect us to ever find this place,” Sven offered, “or we’re walking right into a bad situation.”
“That’s a given considering Alitta is right in front of us. Either way, we’re here,” Bryn snapped. “Let’s get your brother.”
They moved into the final room. At the far end, Erik was slumped against the wall, chained by wrists and ankles. His face was pale, but his eyes snapped open when he saw them.
“Erik,” Sven breathed . He surged forward before Bryn could stop him. But then the anticipated figure stepped from the shadows.
Alitta.
Her beautiful face was sharpened into something vicious. She leaned against a metal post, her smile slow and mocking.
“Well,” she purred. “The lovers arrive. How convenient.”
Bryn moved up alongside Sven and took his hand. He slipped free and tried to move around to confront Alitta but Bryn stepped in front of him.
“No. She’s mine.”
Alitta’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t possibly think you can defeat me.”
Bryn stepped forward. “Try me.”
“Hand to hand combat?” The woman’s eyebrows rose. “Rather barbaric, don’t you think?” Another evil laugh. “Although you are some half-breed something or other.”
“What was your game, Lita?” Sven asked. “First me, then Erik, now Bryn. If you’re going to make a point by assassination or kidnapping, someone should at least know what your purpose is. Otherwise it’s all for nothing.”
Her lip snarled. “You should be dead. I would find the one archer who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Everyone knew at that point that I was to be your queen. I could have used Magnus’ child to use the sympathy card that I carried your heir to take the crown. But then this little tramp interferes and heals our toxins. Erik was our back up plan until I realized that she has secrets of her own. Do you know what a dragon newbie would fetch on the black market?”
“You were going to sell me?” Bryn couldn’t believe her ears.
