Page 139 of Forsaken Secrets

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Eli

Stone hallways slid past me as I ran through the facility beneath the Ellingsworths. I had to get to Kaiya. The creatures in the walls called to me, telling me where to go, but I feared I'd be too late.

Solyn had agreed to my proposal, but it would take time. Riarlo had to gather those gremlyns to free her, they had to gather her pod, and then all of them had to come find me.

Gods. I hoped we had enough time.

A low hum through the doors ahead made me come to an abrupt halt. Had I made it?

I crept to the entrance, a stone archway carved into the bedrock. I'd passed the edge of the ruins a while back. This was pure, man-carved stone.

Carefully, I peered around the entrance.

The room was full of people in dark cloaks, and at the front that terrible vicar was talking to them. He was too far away for me to hear, but the way he was motioning made me think it was nothing pleasant.

Directly behind him loomed a tall stone statue depicting a dragon of some sort? I narrowed my eyes. Something about it felt real, like it was alive and just sleeping … but I couldn't feel its korra …

That made no sense at all.

And where was Kaiya?

I needed to get closer …

Moving quietly, I crept along the edge of the room, thankful there were pillars to stand behind. There! By its feet.

There were two women, tied to chairs, heads lolling to the side.

One was in an elaborate gown of some sort, and the other in just a plain cloak.

Could that be Kaiya? Gods, I hoped not. Jaiel and Lynk were supposed to get down here and save her before something like this happened!

I crept closer, ignoring the warning chimes in my skull that this was too risky. There was no back-up yet, and I hadn't told Lynk and Jaiel where Kaiya was. But I had to know!

If I could just get close enough to see..

I checked the room again, hoping for a new avenue to reach the front. Nothing! This was the only remotely private area in the room, and it stopped far before the dais that the man, dragon, and women were on.

"Riarlo, any news?"

"Solyn is free, and we're on our way, but they're giant leviathans, my lord! It takes time …"

I grimaced. Of course it did. I looked at the women again. From this distance, at least, there was no blood. Surely they wouldn't have just killed them and left them sitting there?

No. They had to be alive.

Kaiya had to be alive.

I wouldn't let myself think otherwise.

I just needed to keep the people distracted long enough for the vrytra to get here and help.

Taking a breath and trying to project a bit of Jaiel's confidence, I slipped on my best smile and sauntered out of the shadows. "Gooood evening, everyone! Am I late for the party?" Gods, this was probably the most idiotic idea I'd had in a long time.

Heads turned, and my stomach lurched. I hadn't thought about how it would feel to have 100 eyes staring at me from beneath hooded robes. They weren't friendly stares, either.

I laughed awkwardly and lifted my hand to my neck. "Oh, sorry. I think this is the wrong …"

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