We dismount our horses and tie them to nearby trees, then Daegan leads the way to the cave, drawing his sword.
It has an eerie feel to it. One I can’t name. It’s more than just knowing what potentially lies inside. It has a presence to it. An angry, ancient, vengeful one.
“I think we’re in the right place,” Daegan mutters, surveying the area.
“Definitely,” Raef concurs, visibly shivering.
They feel it too.
I understand why most locals don’t go near it, but I’m certain a curious one or two must have dared enter before.
Daegan turns, facing us all. We stand in a sort of circle, and we’re all looking at him.
“We have no idea what we may face in there, so be alert at all times. I’ll take the lead. Raef, take the rear.”
We all fall behind him, trying to assemble ourselves. In the middle of it all, Daegan grabs my arm, placing me behind him.
I should protest, because who in the curses does he think he is, but he’s already moving toward the entrance, and I instinctively follow.
I hate to admit to myself that he looks particularly hot right now. With his wavy brown hair, his black ensemble complete with ten different straps and pockets all holding something more lethal than the next, and the way his biceps bulge out of his long dark sleeves as he holds his sword like someone who’s carried it his whole life.
It's the perfect distraction from the possible death trap that lies ahead.
Darkness falls upon us as soon as we enter the cave. Daegan looks back at me, and I pull out a light orb. Another one lights from somewhere behind me.
The dark vines crawl along the walls and ceiling of the cave, which gets higher the farther we walk. No one says a word. Not a sound echoes though the empty cavity besides our quiet steps and breathing.
We walk through the single tunnel for a while, still silent, until finally, the tunnel splits into three separate paths.
“What do we do?” I ask no one in particular.
“We can split up…” Meela places her hands on her hips.
Gaethri grunts in disapproval.
“And what if one of us wants to take the sword for themselves?” Rhydra looks skeptical.
“We’re all after the same goal here,” Raef chimes in. “Can’t we just… trust each other?”
“We might not have enough time to search all the routes as one group…” I add reluctantly.
“Okay then,” Rhydra relents. “Three tunnels, three pairs. Gaethri and me, and then you four split up…” She raises her brow, looking the rest of us over. “However you decide.”
“No offense, but you and Gaethri should be split up too. Just to be safe…” Raef holds his hands up as Gaethri gives him a surly glare.
“Fine then.” Rhydra looks directly at me. “I’m with the princess. Gaethri goes with Daegan.”
“No,” Daegan says with finality. “She’s with me.”
Meela meets my eyes and shares my slightly surprised look. Hers might be a slightly more amused version.
“I’ll go with Rhydra,” she offers.
“Okay,” Raef chirps up. “That means you’re with me, Grumbles.”
Gaethri looks at him with a look of impatience as Raef claps him on the back.
“Great. Let’s not waste any more time,” Daegan announces, ready to turn and wander off already, but I stop him.
