I glance at his reflection in the mirror. He's watching my black-stained fingers as I scrub them for the hundredth time.
"I don't know. It used to happen when I made the elixirs." I shut off the water. Reach for a towel.
"It hasn't happened since I've been here." His eyes narrow slightly. "Not after dreams."
I hadn't noticed. Of course he would. I wonder if this is what happens when Mortiana summons someone. I wonder if he knows, and if he's waiting for me to admit it. I don't. That conversation leads somewhere I'm not ready to go.
I shrug and set the towel down. Turn to face him. "Maybe I woke up before it could."
"Maybe." He doesn't sound convinced.
Loud pounding at the front door breaks the tension. Malachi's expression darkens as he moves to answer it. I exhale in relief and finish dressing.
The tunnel descends far deeper than any I've traveled before. My ears pop as we take the stairs down. And down. And down.
When we finally reach the bottom, I realize the depth is only the beginning of what's wrong. The Veritas tunnels are clean. Well-lit. Maintained.
This place is none of those things. The air is cold and thick with something I can't name. A disquiet energy that prickles along my skin. I can't shake the feeling that something is watching us. Waiting.
I lift my lantern toward the ceiling. The vaulted stone glistens with moisture, pale ridges arching overhead like ribs. Like we're walking through the carcass of something massive. Something that died here long ago and never fully decomposed.
Warmth pulses through the bond. Deliberate. Reassuring. My head turns toward Malachi.
He's nodding at something Kage says, but his eyes are on me. I can't help but wonder if he knows what I am. Has he known from the beginning? From the moment he appeared in my life, or rescued me on that bridge?
I remember his expression when I first told him I was a healer. There was a gleam in his eyes. Recognition? Hunger?
I push the thought away. He's helped me. Protected me. Countless times. Because of the bond, that voice whispers. Unease coils tighter in my gut. I force myself to look away.
"Are you alright?" Naima appears at my side, bumping my shoulder. I flinch.
"Fine." The lie tastes sour. "I just want to find Jordi. This place feels wrong."
"I'm taking the rear." Kage falls into step beside us.
I frown. "Shouldn't you lead? You have the shadows."
"That's what I said." He pitches his voice louder. "But lover boy wants me back here. Ready to hide you in my shadows if things go wrong." A grin. "I'm not sure why he trusts that I won't try anything."
"I trust that you don't want to die in these tunnels after everything you've survived,” Mal responds without looking back.
My stomach swoops.
Draven shoots Kage a bewildered look. Kage just laughs.
Margot leans toward Naima. "Told you I would have won that bet."
Naima snorts. "Why do you think I never took it?"
I gape at them, but don’t say a word.
Draven glances back. "Next right. Then we hope for the best."
"Why are these tunnels so different from the ones in Veritas?" I ask quietly.
"Hard to say. These were built first. Centuries before the others." He pauses. "Some texts claim they stretch all the way to Vindariel."
"Jordi mentioned that." I keep my voice low. "Do you think it's true?"
