Page 53 of Cry of the Damned
We turned toward the winding stone staircase that led upstairs.
Rob shook his head, looking terrified. “We’ll never make it.” His voice trembled. It was clear to see that more than just his body was broken.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “We have to try, Rob. We have to fight.”
He let out a shuddering breath and hung his head. He had no fight left in him, but I would not leave him.
“Take this.” I pressed the sword into his hand. “You know how to use it.”
I had my wolf. I didn’t need a sword. I would get both Bethel and Rob out of here if it was the last thing I did.
We started toward the staircase. We’d only made it halfway up the staircase when shouts and a rush of steps sounded above. They must’ve figured out we’d escaped.
“Back, back.” I waved my arm, ordering my friends to retreat.
The only way we could go was toward the dungeon, but I had no idea if there was a way out in that direction. But what else could we do?
I started to turn in that direction when the sound of rock grinding against rock drew my attention to the big secret exit. We exchanged glances and froze.
“It’s opening,” Bethel said.
My heart pounded as I imagined guards and magistrates pouring in from that end too, but when a gap became visible and my mind filled with a host of overwhelming sensations and notions, I knew who was on the other side of the slab.
I ran in that direction. “It’s them. We need to help them.”
Without waiting for Bethel and Rob to follow, I made my way back and threw my shoulder against the edge of the slab, wedging myself into the small gap.
I’m here.I sent the thought out, and it was full of relief, light, and hope.
Sheela!Kall, Maki, and Novuk all thought in unison.
Strength flooded me all of a sudden, and I knew that Kall and Maki were lending it to me through our tetrad bond, so I could push harder and the effort would be more even and effective from this end. When the gap grew wide enough, daylight seeped in. Novuk squeezed through and, with a massive push, heaved the slab out of the way.
“Novuk!” Bethel exclaimed and threw her arms around him. He held onto her, squeezing her tight to his body.
Just then, a group of guards streamed out of the staircase and surrounded us.
As he held onto Bethel, there was relief in Novuk’s expression, but I saw something else and felt it through our bond, too. Desperation and hopelessness.
“What is it?” I asked.
“We’re surrounded,” he said, just as Kall, Maki, and Ila, in their wolf forms, squeezed through the gap and met us on this end.
The sound of more pursuers came from the other side of the slab, and the truth of Novuk’s words sank in, making any hope I had of escape crumble into a million pieces.
CHAPTER 19
MovingawayfromBethel,Novuk started pushing on the slab, attempting to close the gap through which they’d squeezed a mere instant ago. As he clenched his jaw and shoved it, Kall and Maki snapped at the arms and legs that appeared through the opening.
Rob and I lent Novuk a hand, and together, we managed to shrink the crack enough to make it impossible for anyone else to filter through. When we were done, we joined Bethel and Ila, and we stood shoulder-to-shoulder, facing the guards already on this side.
About thirty guards held their swords in hand, ready to attack, though they made no movement to do so. I searched their numbers for cloaked figures and found none. Whatever relief I might’ve allowed myself to feel would have evaporated a moment later when five magistrates trickled through the ranks, pressing to the front.
In the lead was Novus, her face disfigured in anger. She looked hideous in her fury and turned even uglier as she noticed the milky quality of the hot spring.
“What have you done?” she demanded between clenched teeth. “What have you done?!” Her shouted words echoed through the vast chamber. “You will pay for this.”
“Whatever joy you may derive from killing us will be nothing compared to the satisfaction I feel right now,” I spat. “You’re done for. This hot spring is dead now, and you won’t be able to steal anyone’s magic ever again.”
