Rhett’s hand closes around my wrist, steadying me. “We’re getting out of here. Together.”
I nod, my throat too tight to speak.
At the end of the corridor, Auren presses his palm to what looks like solid stone—but it isn’t.
The wall slides open with a low grinding sound, revealing darkness beyond—narrow, damp, and ancient.
Tunnels.
“Go,” Auren snaps, and we don’t hesitate.
Rhett goes first, letting go of my wrist, but still holding his hand outstretched behind him for me. I take it, and the moment I step through the opening, my Ether flickers to life—curling around my wrists, lighting the edges of my vision with silver.
The air tastes metallic, like old wards waking up after years of sleep. It crawls along my skin.
Behind me, the others file in—Seth, Stellan and Thane bringing up the rear with Auren. The moment he crosses the threshold, the stone grinds shut, sealing the way.
“Wonderful,” Thane mutters from behind me. “Darkness again.”
I have to hold back a nervous laugh.
Too soon.
Torches flicker to life along the walls, casting long shadows that stretch and twist as we move. The tunnel is narrow—barely wide enough for two people side by side—and the ceiling is low enough that Rhett has to duck.
Our footsteps echo on damp stone, too loud, too real.
Everything we rebuilt tonight is already behind us.
I glance back once, catching Jace’s eye. He’s pale, his jaw tight, but he winks, and my body relaxes just a little.
We keep moving.
I realize halfway through that I haven’t seen my mother.
The thought hits me so suddenly I almost stumble.
“Auren,” I call softly, my voice bouncing off the walls. “Where’s—”
“Safe,” Auren says without turning around. “I moved her earlier.”
The ache is quiet, settling somewhere under my ribs.
She wanted me safe. Maybe that’s the only goodbye either of us knows how to give.
I keep walking.
The tunnel ends in a rough-cut arch, barely tall enough to stand upright. Beyond it, I can see the night—dark and cold and vast.
Auren stops at the threshold, turning to face us. His expression is grim, his eyes shadowed.
“Once you’re through, it seals. No going back.”
I look at each of them—Rhett, still holding my hand. Jace, clutching his bag of food like a lifeline. Theo, his dark eyes already distant, seeing something the rest of us can’t.
And I nod.
Auren leans in close to Thane, his voice low but urgent. “Three days northwest. Town called Greymar. There’s a pub—The Rusted Gear. Ask for Mo. He’ll know what to do.”
