I scanned the side of the mountain and tucked into a ridge toward the top was what looked to be a cave entrance. I secured my weapons around me, grabbed onto a rock ledge, and began climbing. My fingers ached as I neared the top, and my foot found an outcrop of rock to push off as I hauled myself over the last ledge and stood before the cave entrance.
I knew she was in there; I could feel it in the core of my being.
I didn’t take a moment to catch my breath, my senses sharpening as I stepped into the cave's darkness. My eyes adjusted quickly to the dark as I ran down the chamber, the walls narrowing around me.
“Zara!” I shouted, not caring what creatures might be lurking down here. Foolish, as I knew the caves in Nexia laid host to numerous creatures, some dark and ancient. They were the sort of creatures one heard about around campfires or whispered about in pubs. Creatures so terrifying they made even the toughest of Fae shiver at their mention.
The narrow passage opened up to a large cave tunnel, its walls expanding out in every direction. The ceilings here were at least twelve feet tall and the walls were about the same across. Three other large tunnels branched off this one but a small narrow passage straight ahead caught my eye.
A small tug at my center told me that was where I needed to go and ran forward. The soft, damp earth muffling my footsteps underneath me.
The walls narrowed further in around me as I entered, the rocks jutting out threateningly from the cave walls. I was aware of eyes on me, and the air felt colder and damper than before. My skin prickled at the invisible gazes upon me, but I didn’t sense a threat, at least not yet.
A cough rang out to my left, and I turned and ran. “Zara!” I shouted into the darkness again, and this time, she answered.
“Xavier! I'm here! Down here!”
My chest tightened as the tight tunnel I was in opened up to a large chamber.
Larger tunnels branched off this room on the opposite wall but my attention went to the opening at its center. Water seeped from the walls and into the opening. The splashing reverberating around the room.
I peered over the edge to find Zara standing at the bottom, about twenty feet below. She was shaking, and her hair and clothes were damp, clinging to her skin like a second layer. I growled at the sight of her like that and shadowed to the bottom of the cell in front of her. She jumped at my sudden appearance, but the relief on her face made my chest loosen a fraction. I scanned her body for injuries, but it was too dark to see anything properly. She was shaking with cold, and I met her gaze, her blue eyes piercing into mine.
“Nev- ver we- earing a da- damn shirt,” Zara said, teeth shattering as she gave me a small smile. I pulled her into mychest, letting out a small, breathy laugh. My shirt was indeed in ribbons from the attack, and I held her tightly in my arms, her arms going around my waist as she held me back.
“Are you hurt?” I asked, relishing the feel of her, alive; she was alive.
“I’m fine,” Zara whispered, her breath tickling my chest as she breathed deeply against my exposed skin.
I shadowed us to the top of the cave, reluctantly releasing my hold around her, and took her face in my hands. The sight of her hair soaked in blood made me growl, and though she tried to wrench herself away from me, my hold on her remained firm and unyielding. “You are bleeding,” I hissed.
“I’m fine, but Xavier, I have to—”
A guttural roar ripped through the cavern, shaking loose small stones that clattered to the ground. My body went rigid, the sound twisting my gut with dread. I cursed under my breath, my hand already wrapping protectively around Zara’s waist. I tilted my head, straining to catch any hint of movement beyond the echoes bouncing off the damp cave walls.
“What—” She started to speak, but I slapped my hand over her mouth, my panicked gaze locking on hers. My expression said everything: Stay silent.
Another roar bellowed, louder this time, closer. My jaw tightened. The sharp beat of heavy paws thundered in the distance, a chaotic rhythm that seemed to come from everywhere at once. The air felt thick, oppressive, cold.
“Run.” I said low, urgent, and I didn’t wait for a response. I yanked her hand and bolted toward the narrow tunnel behind us.
The passage plunged into darkness, my Fae sight adjusting to the dim light, revealing the treacherous path of sharp turns and jagged edges that she could not see. Her hand was clammyin mine, and I gripped it fiercely, guiding her forward as the uneven ground jarred our every stride.
The narrow passage that led out to the larger chamber of tunnels was just ahead and I caught Zara as she stumbled over a loose rock.
We were about to exit the narrow tunnel when I saw movement. I stopped abruptly, spinning her toward the rough cave wall. Her back hit the stone with a muted thud, and I pressed against her, shielding her with my body. Before she could speak, I clamped my hand over her mouth again, my breath shallow but controlled despite the frantic rhythm of my pulse.
We were inches from the tunnel entrance and the air grew hotter, heavier, around us. A rush of putrid air carrying the stench of rot filled my lungs and I tried not to gag on the rotting stench.
The creature emerged from the shadows, massive and grotesque. Its head swung into view, leathery sockets housing milky, sightless eyes. Its form was massive, filling almost the entire space with its massive black body. Jagged, needle-like teeth lined its snout, glinting like fangs in the faint light. Its long claws scraped against the stone floor, and thick, matted fur, damp with filth, covered its hulking body.
The creature sniffed the air, its head swiveling as though it could see, though its cloudy gaze betrayed its blindness.
I stiffened, my arms tightening around Zara. A faint shimmer of magic enveloped us—my desperate attempt to mask our presence, our scent. Zara glanced up at me, her wide, fearful eyes mirroring mine.
Another ear-shattering roar erupted from the creature. The sound vibrating through the walls and through my chest. Loose rock fell around the cave, the echoing sound slowly disappearingas the creature sniffed again, its massive head turning toward them.
For a moment, I stopped breathing, every muscle in my body screaming to move, but I stayed rooted, forcing her to stay still beneath me.
