“Janika?” Emer’s eyes go wide as she stands at the entrance of the cave before she meets mine. She doesn’t say anything else before turning and running to catch up with Serafin.
My eyes fall back onto Janika’s body as my mind struggles to comprehend what happened when I feel a push against my back and a soft growl rumbles against me, like familiar purring.
Basilicus. The young thunder stag I helped mend in the menagerie when Lynx was missing.
Bas.
I haven’t seen him since he saved me in Ever Woods back with the Abuhuku shifters, and I fell to Hell shortly after that. He has gotten so big, with his shoulders as tall as mine; he easily towers over me.How did I even miss him in this cave?
Searching what’s left of the chaos, I notice I’m not the only one still shocked by her corpse.
“Did you still want to take me on? Especially by yourself?” A little cockiness slips out as I watch Angel finally realize she’s alone with a predator bigger than her.
Color drains from her face as she stumbles back a step or two and turns to chase after the others out of the cave. As soon asshe’s out of sight, my body breaks out into a mess of trembling limbs as I try to hold myself up.
“I’m okay, it’s just adrenaline,” I tell Bas as he walks up to me, prompting me to lean against him. “Thank you.” I slip my glaives back into their holders and properly give him a kiss and hug, as best as I can with my one arm. Now that I have a moment to breathe, I take in Bas’s warmth and wonder what to do next. I’m separated from my group, and I’m probably back in the Ever Woods.
I hope the guys are okay in Hell. I’m sure with JP’s and Moni’s status, they are doing okay and flying through the next stage. I send love and comfort through my link with Knox to let him know I’m okay, and feel good vibes flood back down our link.
Tears well up behind my eyelids as a sudden giddiness hits me. My family seems okay, according to what I feel from Knox, and I don’t know how Bas ended up in my path, but I’m so glad he’s here. He saved my ass once again. My small reprieve is short-lived as he backs away and shoves his nose into my stomach.
“Easy, buddy. Just tell me what you want?” I urge, reaching down for my sling and slipping it back on. I turn to find him at the entrance of the cave and sigh. “Are you going to get me back to where I belong?” I give Bas a cocky look, and I get a snort for an answer. Hopefully, he’s taking me back to the portal to Hell so I can catch up with the rest of my group. The rain hasn’t let up, but at least I don’t have to worry about the trail; Bas’s hooves light up the ground, and I take hold of his fur as we continue up the mountain.
Wasn’t the portal at the bottom of the mountain?Maybe it’s on the other side of this one. We continue through the rain for a few more minutes until he stops and turns towards me, stomping his hoof and lighting up the ground.
“Okay, Bas. I get it. We’re here, but where is here, and what do you want me to do next?” I ask, pushing my wet hair out of my face as the pregnant sky starts to ease.
His head swings towards the mountain, and he moves closer before he slams his hoof down once again, revealing a small crevice in the mountain wall big enough that I might be able to squeeze through if I turn and side-step through.
“You’re kidding me,” I groan as I look at my fierce protector.
He lowers his antlers in a menacing manner, and I frown at his first display of aggression towards me. Okay, he’s not playing, and apparently, it’s important for me to go in here.
Raising my hand in surrender, I lower my head and apologize.
“I’m sorry, Basilicus. You know I didn’t mean to offend. Thank you for guiding me in my hour of need.” I look up and catch him giving me the side-eye before snorting, and I can’t hold back the laugh before hugging him. “Okay, I have no choice but to trust you.”
To squeeze into the stones, I pull my arm out of my sling and let it hang to the side before beginning my slow slide through the dark crevice. The rough stone scrapes against my chest and arms as I inch my way through, not seeing any light or sounds the further I go. Either the air is thinning out, or I’m running out of it, as it’s becoming harder to breathe. I pause as I assess my situation.
I still have room, not much, I can still shift my boots back and forth to hit the walls, and my ass is hitting both walls, same as my chest, and my arms still can shift. So, by all calculations, the walls aren’t getting smaller, so why is it feeling like it’s getting harder to breathe?
Okay. Take normal breaths and focus on moving, Rez. You can do this.
I continue moving until there’s a section where it feels like a film I’m pushing against. Like a very thin plastic. It’s not hard, but I can tell the difference when I cross over, because the temperature drops, and a chill runs down my spine. Not only am I having problems breathing, but now I’m wracked with chills. A few more steps, and my foot slides out between the walls, only to a wider opening. My body follows, but I still can’t see anything in the pitch-dark room. Turning to have the crevice to my back, I face the space and tentatively raise my good arm out to feel if there’s anything in front of me.
“Hello?” I take a small step, leaning forward in hopes of finding a wall, but instead I find no floor to hold my weight, and fall into a dark abyss.
CHAPTER 33
Some Answers
Knots
Ican’t help but stare at my sister from my seat at the table as I watch her help a student don his weapons. I feel as if I’m watching a ghost or, better yet, a miracle. Hell, last I saw her, Cain was?—
How? I have so many questions, and I need the answers more than anything.
“So when was the last time you saw your sister?” Levi asks, wiping his mouth with his napkin.
