Tapping the door with her knuckles, Cerys stepped aside. A line of guards marched into our chamber, spreading out in pairs to escort us. Eleos didn’t resist when one grabbed him. He shot me a pointed glare. Grimacing, I allowed one of the men to grab me.
Before I could see what had happened to the others, my escort spun me around and marched me outside. Twisting my neck to glance behind, I searched for Aethra, but lost sight of her as we stepped into the hall.
Forcing myself to look forward, I took a breath.
They wouldn’t hurt her, yet. The real danger would come later.
Faint torchlight guided us down stone passages, bringing us deeper into the earth. We emerged into an ancient edifice: a courtyard of stone spread before us, flanked by pillars that reached for the cavernous ceiling. Water lapped against the smoothed stone, and a long, thin ship bobbed on its waves.
An underground river cut through the cavern, flowing from shadow to my west and disappearing into a tunnel to my east. Itmight lead to freedom.
Curling my fingers into a fist, I rested the tip of my fingernails against the delicate skin of my palm. Once the others arrived, we could escape.
My escort paused, allowing a second prisoner to catch up. I glanced to my left and caught sight of a white robe. Eleos.
Cerys strode toward us, her gown trailing on the dark stone. A thin man in heavy robes scurried behind her.
“You’re dangerous, chthonic,” Cerys said, speaking with a deeper tone than before. “Yet stringing you up will steal your fair chance to triumph, so we cannot cripple you.” She stopped at my side and leaned in. “You care about that girl, don’t you?”
Uncurling my hand, I scoured her face, trying to understand her plan.
She glanced down, noticing my relaxed grip. “Bring her in,” she called.
A glittering gold bastard marched Aethra around the corner, his short sword digging into her ribs. Thin streams of blood stained her ebony dress.
Studying the guard’s lithe build and thin beard, I committed him to memory.
I was going to kill him after this.
Maybe Cerys, too.
Twisting my elbow, the gaudy soldier spun me around and shoved me onto the boat. I stepped down onto its deck, and Eleos followed, lunging toward me. He slammed into my arm, nearly throwing me off balance. I cast him an inquisitive glance, but he turned away.
The guards quickly separated us, instructing me to sit at the front of the boat and Eleos at the back, with the soldiers surrounding us. Aethra was positioned in the center, and I heard her hiss as the sword dug deeper into her side.
My fingernails dug into my palm instinctively. Gritting my teeth, I forced my hands to relax.
One second: that’s all it would take for him to end her life.
Cerys stood at the bow and raised a hand. Dipping an oar into the water, the robed man propelled the boat away from the shore and into the darkness.
“Three others will face the Duat with you,” she said, holding up a lantern to dispel the gloom. “Lost souls whose sins have brought them to the doorstep of death.”
A voice scratched at my skull. Eleos. “Why do your people put on this show? Are there spectators?”
Dipping my chin, I tried to remember how to speak with a psyche. Two decades had passed since I last heard my mother’s voice in my head.
“No,” I thought. “To die in disgrace condemns your soul to oblivion. In Duath Nun, there is no worse punishment.”
Eleos didn’t respond. Had I thought at him hard enough?
“Others?” Aethra asked, voice strained. “What did they do?”
“Their sins are for the divines to judge,” Cerys answered. “Not you.” Her gaze turned to me. “For the first trial, you will be divided into three groups. And amongst you, a sacrifice must be chosen.”
Eleos seemed an easy choice. At least then he’d stop calling me Weasel.
“Funny,” Eleos’ voice chimed.“I was going to choose you. At least then, nobody will put their boots on my table.”
