Worst case scenario, if I embarrass myself, there are plenty of rocks around these tunnels. I could easily ‘slip’ and fake a concussion. Pretend none of it ever happened and we never speak of it again.
Now illuminated with a bright blue glow, the tunnel starts to widen, and as the light brings everything into focus, I stumble to a halt. It’sbreathtaking.
While the tunnels containing the apartments were a downward spiral of ancient stone and doorways, this is a cavern so massive, it should be impossible. Far bigger than anything I could imagine hiding underground. The ceiling is high enough that I couldn’t hit it with a rock if I tried, but I can still see stalactites hanging down. Woven between them is a massive glowstone that illuminates the majority of the cavern, laced into the stonework and reaching down to us like frozen lightning. It’s almost as if someone sunk the ruins of an old castle and merged it with the earth, building an entire underground city around the pieces.
Stone staircases are carved into the earth, zig zagging back and forth on one side to reach four stories of alcoves and ancient pillars. People mill about, carrying woven bags and flitting between alcoves like it’s some sort of market, all dressed in similar tunics and leggings, just varied colors. My gaze latches onto a flash of fire, a massive man flicking his fingers to make a miniature dragon dance while children squeal in excitement,the man smiling down at them warmly. It keeps them occupied while the woman beside them finishes her transaction, loading up her purchases in her bag and returning to gather her children. Instantly, he takes her bag and scoops up the youngest child, following her onto the next stall with heart eyes.
A quick glance shows similar heartwarming moments everywhere. Shopkeepers giving children small treats, a stranger stepping in to grab a tiny puppy before it tumbles down the stairs. In the next moment, the puppy shifts into a squirming toddler, and after a quick warning and carrying them down to the main floor, the man waits until the child shifts back to set them down, chuckling as they take off like a shot towards a small group of kids.
To my right, most of the stone has been left untouched, save for a series of seven tunnel openings on the ground floor, streaks of blue lighting a path down the center of each. There aren’t any signs that set them apart, save the one at the end that’s blocked off with a shimmering haze, almost like a barrier made of light and mist. Not enough to keep anyone out, but enough to set off a warning, maybe? With so many kids running around like they’re taking the whole ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ as gospel, it makes sense. It’d be easy for someone to sneak somewhere they shouldn’t be. But it begs the question… What's down that tunnel? And if it’s dangerous, why don’t they have it blocked with a real door?
My fingers twitch, the urge to explore riding me hard. It’s like being inside a fantasy RPG, but without the goblins waiting to tear your face off. Hopefully. Maybe.Might get myself killed by monsters or booby traps in the tunnels, but damn, talk about a cool obituary.
Here lies Everest. She defeated a minotaur, found an ancient, legendary treasure, and saved a basket of puppies before tragically falling into a pit of lava snakes.
Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to go.
“Holy hell,” I murmur, craning my neck and trying to take everything in. But with every pass I notice something new, and start gawking all over again.
“This is only the tip of the iceberg,” Bellamy whispers in my ear. “Wait until you see the baths. And gardens. It’s like all the best parts of outside, but indoors.”
My gaze narrows on that shimmering blocked tunnel, thoughts turning. Bellamydidsay that there are more things hiding in these tunnels than mimics. What if it’s something that wants to eat one?
If this is where Bellamy grew up, why the heck would he want to come back to Mercy Ridge? If he has internet in his office, I could just squish a desk in there too…
Shaking my head, I ignore the warm sensation in my chest. It doesn’t matter how magical this place is. If Arson, Ledger, and Myles aren’t welcome here, it’s not like I can stay. No matter how much it feels like coming home.
The moment someone notices us, the whispers spread like a living entity, and the entire crowd stops what they’re doing to stare at us as we approach.
Every.
Single.
Person.
“If you’re actually the fake Bell, now would be the perfect time to murder me,” I murmur under my breath, taking a step back.
He snorts, wrapping an arm around my waist and tugging me into his side before I can bolt. “And leave me to face them alone? Oh hell no, we’re in this mess together now.” I don’t even have a chance to ask him what he means before we’re surrounded.
“Oh, you poor thing, look how skinny you are,” one coos, pulling a protein bar out of her hip pouch and forcing it into my hand. “Here, eat up.”
“Look at those gorgeous mate marks!” another crows, looking way too excited for not knowing who the hell I am. “Oh, Bellamy must be thrilled. No wonder he’s never shown an interest in anyone before; he was holding out for his fated.” She fans her face. “So romantic.”
Another bites her lower lip, eyes darting between me and Bell and leaning in to whisper, “Don’t you worry, none of us will let anyone touch you again. I don’t know what happened between the two of you, but if you need somewhere to lay low, even from Bellamy, you’re more than welcome to hide out in the bunks with us. You don’t have to feel pressured into anything just because he saved you.”
My heart swells. “It wasn’t like that.”
She offers a sympathetic smile and squeezes my hand. “I’m happy for you, then. Now, do you like strawberries?” Without waiting for my response, she reaches into the basket on her arm and gives me a handful, effectively changing the subject.
I pop one in my mouth simply to save me from answering the onslaught of questions. One of the men staring at me with an excited gleam in his eye leans closer to Bellamy to loudly whisper, “Aren’t you going to introduce us? Has she let you know how many mates she’s interested in yet?”
“She’s already found her mates, so back off; bond group’s full,” he snaps. “Actually, you know what? Don’t even look at her.” Pulling my back to his front, Bellamy turns to give the guythe cold shoulder and sets a possessive hand over my stomach, holding me firmly against him.
The guy raises his hands in surrender, taking a step back. “Sorry, man, didn’t mean to overstep. I’m happy for you; seriously. If anyone was overdue some good in their lives, it was you.” He nods once in respect and turns his attention to someone else, chatting without a blip of anger on his face.
“Everest, right?” A sweet pixie of a girl now in front of us asks. “Youhaveto join us for movie night this weekend. If your mate’s going to be taking over an Elder’s seat, you need to get to know the community!”
She looks so excited, I actually feel guilty for saying, “We’ll see,” knowing full well I’m not going to stick around that long. But it seems like an exhausting mistake to admit we aren’t staying to these people. Because honestly? The way they welcome me with open arms makes my chest ache worse than when leaving my ex made me realize how easily I could be erased from someone’s life.
