Page 94 of Poison Ivy
I nod, then back it up with a, “Yeah, thanks.”
“Good. Now, we need to move. This tunnel will take us to where you need to be, but it’s not without its dangers.”
Where I need to be?What does that mean? I look back over my shoulder, wondering if I’m making a mistake. Should I have told the guys about this ultimatum? Should I not have run?Too fucking late now, though, isn’t it.
Before I can ask what Vex meant or debate my choices some more, a low rumble echoes through the passage. I feel the ground vibrate beneath my feet.
“What was that?” I ask, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.
Vex’s grip on my hand tightens. “The tunnel responding to our presence. It’s alive, in a way, and it doesn’t always like visitors.”
Great. Just great. As if I didn’t have enough to worry about with Death on my tail and my heart in pieces over leaving the guys behind.
We start moving forward, the magical light bobbing along beside us. The tunnel stretchesendlessly ahead, curving and twisting like the innards of some great beast. The walls are slick with moisture, and the air is thick and musty.
“So,” I say, trying to distract myself from the oppressive atmosphere, “you want to tell me more about this plan to escape Death?”
Vex chuckles darkly. “Not really the time or place for a detailed explanation, little shifter. You’ll be informed when we get there.”
I nearly trip over my own feet. “And whereisthere?”
“Someplace you need to be.”
“Oh, that’s reassuring,” I mutter. “And helpful.”
Before Vex can respond, the tunnel gives another ominous rumble. This time, I feel something shift beneath my feet. I look down to see the stone floor rippling like water from the faint glow of the purple light.
“Vex...” I start, but he’s already pulling me forward at a run.
“Move!” he shouts, just as the floor behind us collapses into a gaping chasm.
We sprint down the tunnel, the collapsing floor nipping at our heels. The magical light streaks ahead of us, illuminating our path. My lungs burn, and my legs ache, but terror keeps me going.
Suddenly, Vex skids to a halt, yanking me to a stop beside him. Ahead, the tunnel splits into three separate passages.
“Fuck,” Vex hisses, his eyes darting between the options. “That is unexpected.”
“Which way?” I pant, glancing back at the approaching destruction.
Vex closes his eyes for a moment, his face scrunched in concentration. Then his eyes snap open. “Left!”
We dash down the left passage just as the floor gives way behind us. For a moment, I think we’re in the clear. Then I hear a new sound - a high-pitched whine that sets my teeth on edge.
“Cover your ears!” Vex yells.
I clap my hands over my ears just as the whine intensifies into a deafening shriek. Even with my ears covered, the sound is painful. I can feel it vibrating in my bones, making my vision blur.
Vex grabs my arm, dragging me forward. I stumble along beside him, fighting to stay conscious as the shriek grows louder and louder.
Just when I think my head might explode, we burst through a shimmering barrier. The shriek cuts off abruptly, leaving a ringing silence in its wake.
I double over, gasping for breath. “What. The fuck. Was that?”
“A defence mechanism,” Vex says grimly. “Designed to incapacitate intruders.”
“Charming place you’ve brought me to,” I grouse, straightening up.
Vex doesn’t respond. When I look at him, I seewhy. His expression is grim, his eyes fixed on something ahead of us.
