“That was the null field,” I told her.“The potion I gave you will protect you from it.”
“Not to interrupt this touching reunion,” Mrs.Crowe said, “but we need to hurry.”
“Do you think you can stand?”I asked Elena.
“Yeah, I’m feeling pretty good.My head’s clear now.Like the pressure’s gone.”
I helped her to her feet, but she did most of the work on her own.
We ran out of the lab, pausing only to strip the robes from the alchemist on the floor.They were too big for Elena, but they would have to do.As we approached the staircase, Mrs.Crowe headed for the steps leading down.
“Wait,” I said.“We need to get Elena out.Where are we going?”
“A slight change of plans,” Mrs.Crowe said as she continued down the stairs.“My entrance was a bit more dramatic than I expected.The guards will never let us just walk out the door as I had hoped.Even now, I’m guessing Brannic is raising the alarm.We need to take an alternate exit.”
“I thought there weren’t alternate exits,” I said.
“There’salwaysan alternate exit,” Mrs.Crowe said with a sly smile.
“Is it safe?”I asked.
“Perfectly.Only the king and his personal guard know about it.It’s not even guarded so as not to attract attention.I found out about it…by accident.It’s a longer story than I have time for.”
We left the staircase and navigated a literal maze of twisting tunnels.Mrs.Crowe explained that it was a defense mechanism; if an enemy was pursuing the king, the pursuers could easily get lost.Countless doors lined every wall.Occasionally we entered one that led to another tunnel.Finally Mrs.Crowe stopped at a door that looked like every other one we’d passed.
“Through this door is a tunnel that leads under the sea,” Mrs.Crowe said.“Inside is a series of doors.As you open each one, seawater will flood the previous corridor.You must go through each door and shut it quickly.Don’t stop for anything.”
Elena’s face paled, eyes wide.
Mrs.Crowe pulled out a key and handed it to Elena.“The tunnel ends in a vacant house in town.Two blocks south, you’ll find my potion shop.Here’s the key.Wait for us there.”
“Us?”Elena looked at me in shock, gripping the key tight enough to make her fingers go white.“Aren’t you coming with me, Cas?”
“Darion is still here,” I said.
“Then I’m coming with you to find him!I can help!”
I expected this and was ready for it.“You can’t,” I said.“The guards will recognize you immediately.”
Elena’s face crumpled.I pulled her into an embrace.
“I have to come,” she said, a tear streaking down her face.“I can’t lose you.”
“I’ll be back soon,” I said.“I promise.”I hated making promises I wasn’t sure I could keep, but Elena’s safety was more important than anything.
“You’d better,” she said.
Horns blared in the distance.
“The alarm,” Mrs.Crowe said.“They’re on to us.We must hurry.”
“Go,” I said to Elena.“I’ll meet you in the shop in no time.”
She gave me one more heartbreaking look, then turned around and ran—it nearly broke me.
When she was out of earshot, Mrs.Crowe said, “This is your last chance to leave with your sister.Your odds of rescuing your friend in the spire are slim.”
“I have to try,” I said, remembering all the sacrifices he’d made for me.
