“I choose to believe otherwise.”
Keegan stepped a little closer to me. “Once we go down there, we can’t easily turn back.”
“I know,” I said.
His gaze searched mine for a second longer. “And you’re still choosing it.”
I nodded because it would get us there faster.
Twobble clapped his hands once, though the sound was quieter this time. “Alright then. No sudden movements. No unnecessary noise. And if something does show up—”
“We don’t panic,” I finished.
He gave me a look. “You say that like it’s easy.”
“I didn’t say it was easy.” I smiled.
Nova stepped forward. “We stay together.”
Stella nodded. “And we don’t let curiosity get the better of us.”
Twobble pointed at her. “That one’s mostly for you.”
“I’m offended.” Her lips turned into a mischievous grin.
“You shouldn’t be.”
Keegan didn’t say anything else.
He just kept his hand in mine as we stepped toward the tunnel, and I didn’t pull away.
Because deep down…
I already knew.
This was the path.
And whether I liked it or not…
It was waiting for us.
Chapter Nine
The moment we set foot in the tunnel, I could feel the difference. All the tunnels had a bit of a damp, musty feel, but this one felt… chilling.
From all accounts, it looked like any of the other tunnels with the dangling roots and fine-lined glitter etched throughout the dirt. The goldspinners were here, too, judging by the faint, glowing threads throughout. But it felt too connected, too close to Shadowick.
“This doesn't feel fun at all,” Stella said. “I don't think there's a tea in the world that would get rid of this heebie-jeebie feel.”
I chuckled nervously. “Ohhh, come on, Stella, there's a tea for everything.”
“I wish that were the case,” Stella said quietly.
And that was when we heard it. A squeak. Several squeaks. We froze in place. And Keegan slid his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer.
“Nothing like a few uninvited visitors,” Twobble muttered.
“What are those?” I hissed. “An army of mice?”
