He watches the chipmunk with rapt attention as it taps its feet. Finally, Basil nods and releases the chipmunk. It races forward, toward the light just around the bend. He whispers to us, “There are only two witches guarding Rain’s cell. I’ll send in the distraction, then we’ll strike. Got it?”
No, I don’tgot it.Onlytwo witches? There wereonlytwo witches in Bouldercrest and Asmo and I struggled to escape. And what the hell is the distraction?
Asmo gives a curt nod. I don’t ask any of my questions. I just give Basil a shaky smile. What other choice do I have?
“Keep us in the shadows for as long as possible. Let’s keep this as quiet as we can,” BAsil says.
We wait in silence for what feels like an eternity. Finally, Basilsteps forward. We follow, and my heart pounds in my ears. I press my palms to my side to steady the slight shaking as adrenaline spreads.
“—I was telling her that I don’t like—” a voice says.
“I know,” another voice hisses. “I’m not an idiot.”
The two distinctly female voices grow louder as we approach until they sound like they’re only feet away. Basil points to a closed stone door with a small square cut into the stone near the top.
This must be the door to Rain’s cell.
“Wait, what the—ow!” the first voice hisses.
“Now!” Basil whispers.
“Just kill it!” the second voice yells.
Asmo steps forward and raises his hand toward the door. With one swift motion, he carves a line through the stone door.
“I’m trying,” the first voice snaps.
The door cracks.
“Wind,” Basil commands.
I summon and pull the cracked stone portions away with a gust of wind, leaving half of the door open. A body lies on the floor curled in a ball, dark hair matted against her head. Her slight frame is swallowed by a dingy gray blanket and I thank the Mother that she at least has that to keep herself warm.
She lifts her head, one hand held against the sudden burst of light.
“Lessen the shadows,” Basil orders. Asmo abides, and Basil motions to Rain, urging her to run to us.
Her face pales, and she shakes her head furiously. She casts a terrified glance back to the witches, who are doing Mother knows what, and then back to us with a final shake of her head.
“Damnit,” Basil hisses. “More shadows.”
Asmo, once again, abides, and then Basil darts forward. He dashes into the cell and scoops Rain up. He turns back to us and steps out of the cell, but one of the witches notices.
“Hey!” she shrieks.
I freeze, watching in horror as she raises her hand.
And then she’s bent over, clutching her stomach as blood gushes from a wound. Basil wastes no time, tearing past her and sprinting back down the hallway, back in the direction of the alcove.
“What the fuck just happened?” I ask.
“Sword thingy,” Asmo says with a wink. He grabs my arm and pulls me down the hallway.
I look back, waiting for voices and shouts commanding us to stop.
But nothing comes.
Basil opens the portal again, Rain still cradled in his arms. On the other side, Holly is rooted to the same spot, gnawing on her fingernails. The moment we’re back in Squall’s End, Etta slams the portal shut. I swear I hear a scream of rage as it closes.
