Page 76 of Mostly Shattered

As the last of the magic leaves Anthony’s body, I reach up to catch him as he falls. His weight pummels me to the ground. I push him off me. He’s weak, but alive.

The labyrinth sucks Conrad into the shadows. The screams stop, and he disappears.

“Anthony?” I touch his face as he blinks up at me.

“Was that… Conrad?” Anthony groans as he sits up. He looks around, confused. “How did we get here?”

I want to explain everything, but I’m not sure we should take the time. “We’re in the labyrinth.”

“The… labyrinth?” Anthony looks around with renewed awareness. He surges to his feet and reaches to pull me next to him. “How the hell did we wander in here? You can’t be here, Tamara. It’s too dangerous for mortals. Supernaturals train for decades before taking up the challenges.”

The light in the room fades, and the torchlight flickers at the exit.

“Weshould go,” I tell him.

“Yeah.” He’s weak, but he’s alive. That’s what matters.

I saved Anthony. But part of me wonders if I’ll ever be able to save myself from Conrad.

We leave the chamber, and Anthony stops to look at the tunnel. “Who else is here?”

I know what he means. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re not alone. My instincts tell me that someone—something—is watching.

“I don’t know.” I focus on Anthony, happy to no longer be alone. I stay close to him as we stumble forward. We’re not safe yet. “Come on. We have to get out of here.”

Chapter

Eighteen

“We need to keep moving,” I say quietly, glancing over at Anthony when he tries to rest against the wall. His face is pale, but he gives a tight nod, his eyes scanning the shadows as if he’s waiting for the labyrinth to strike again. I can tell he’s struggling to stay on his feet.

He has been brought in here with me. I figure that means he deserves to know everything. However, I don’t have the energy to tell him the whole story. Therefore, I simply said I needed to fix my amulet’s magic so I could have protection again.

Every step I take is a strain, but at least Anthony is by my side. I’m grateful not to be alone. The weight of choosing between both brothers presses in on me. I know I made the right call—the only call—but I still feel guilty. I try to pushthe feelings down. There’s no time to dwell on Conrad’s unknown fate. Not now.

Anthony stops.

“This isn’t right. Something is off.” He tilts his head, listening. Louder, he calls, “Who’s there?”

I’ve felt like someone was watching me since I entered this place.

When no answer is forthcoming, I say, “It’s just the labyrinth. It is playing tricks on our mind. It’s trying to distract us and make us paranoid.”

“No,” Anthony shakes his head, tensing as his voice drops to a near whisper. “Someone else is in here with us, following us.”

I stiffen in fright. Is this the next trial? What did Costin call it? A test of courage?

“I don’t think there is,” I say. “I’ve had the same feeling since I entered this place.”

Suddenly, Anthony relaxes and gives a big sigh. “Costin, come on, show yourself. I know you’re there.”

Costin?

I don’t know how I know, but as soon as my brother says the words, I know it’s true. I can feel Costin’s nearness, like a ripple in the air, a presence I should have realized much earlier. Has he been following me the whole time?

Costin steps into the dim torchlight. Relief floods me to see him, but it’s brief.Why didn’t he let me know he was following me? Why wait to be called out by my brother?

“Where did you come from? What are you doing here?” I leave Anthony’s side to confront him.

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