Page 63 of Forsaken Secrets

"So it has to be through that hall," I said, pointing at the exit at the back of the room. Lyphos lamps flickered in there, but it was too long for them to show us much. "That's where we should go next." The Fallen Queen was long gone and Lynk said there was no crazy relic. What could be the harm?

"No." Lynk traced one of the indents in the glassy floor, then stood and faced us. "Things have changed. This is far too dangerous. You're both leaving. Now."

I stared at him, mouth agape. What had changed? "I'm going back there, with or without you, old man."

He stared at me, those silver eyes dark.

Two could play that game. I pressed my lips together and stepped directly in front of him, meeting his glare with one of my own.

His eyes widened briefly, but he didn't back down.

We'd been staring at each other for a good minute when Eli slipped between us, holding his hands up and pushing us apart. "Come on, you two. Is this staring contest really going to solve anything? Lynk, you know Kaiya is going to explore regardless of what you say. At least if she goes now, you'll be there to help protect her. Kaiya, he has more experience than you. I hate to say this, but it would probably behoove you to listen to him. At least a little."

Lynk grunted and stepped back, letting his eyes drop.

I took a deep breath, then did the same, staring as he ran his hand through his chestnut hair, jaw tense. "Do either of you have weapons, at least?"

I slipped the little dagger from my sleeve and held it up, letting the silver metal glint in the light.

Lynk's face twisted as though he was in pain. "A weapon, little thief, not a cooking utensil."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then, no." Weapons were generally unnecessary for relic hunting, so I'd never taken to carrying them around.

"And you, kid?"

Eli tried to reply, but Lynk just kept talking. "Gods. Why am I even asking? Of course you don't have weapons. So tell me, how do you plan to fight whoever set this area up?"

I winced. He had a point.

"That's what you're here for, old man," Eli said, smiling widely.

"This is going to be bad," Lynk muttered to himself, walking away.

A sound from deeper in the halls made me stand straight, and I motioned for them to be quiet. It sounded like … metal doors slamming shut?

"Get your own tools, Topin. It's my turn to use the shocker." The gruff male voice carried down the hall, and I stared at Lynk, my eyes wide.

His face turned to stone, and he motioned for Eli and me to move behind him as he withdrew his curved blade.

We did as he asked, and he dropped into a crouch.

"Fine. But don't kill the whelp. That relic takes finesse, you know. Something your mother never taught ya," said another voice, this one pitched a bit higher.

"Oh shut up and go grab something."

I motioned towards the shelving. Perhaps if we hid back there, we could buy some time?

Lynk nodded, and we all crowded behind the nearest shelf.

A man, short and dressed in a blue cloak, stepped into the room. He stopped abruptly and tilted his head to the side. "Hey Geriomil," he shouted down the hall, "Something's wrong. The monster's gone dark."

"Fuck," muttered the other voice. "It better not have died on us. Them sprykes are damned expensive."

He sounded closer.

Fabric brushed my arm as Lynk slid from the shadows and slashed out at the first man, the curved blade of his scimitar swiping through the air.

I stared wide-eyed and waited for the blood to fly. But the blade just thunked onto the floor.

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