Page 123 of War Hour

I can’t process the implications of what he’s doing, even less so than what he’s already done. But I nod and the door cracks open.

He pulls it open, shoving me inside.

The last glimpse I get of the outside is Evander being grabbed by a guard. But his eyes never leave mine. And his ocean eyes are all I see when the door shuts, sealing me inside.

Chapter 49

Sitting against the Trial door, shivering uncontrollably, I try to wipe Lord Gennady’s blood from my hands, but it has already dried. The bright red crusts against the pale skin of my palms, bunching under my nails as I try to scrape it away. I keep rubbing and rubbing, as if my blood-stained skin is the only thing keeping him from being alive.

Lord Gennady is dead, and I will soon join him, for I’m once again set to be Trialed. Trialed in the court with the highest death rate.

The tunnel rumbles in off-rhythm succession. Explosions from the attack on the Court of Truth that make me still, listening for the next. Stones crack off from the cave walls before dropping and breaking into several pieces. The pieces fall closer and closer, a fallen rock nudging against my boot, but I stare at them through tear-filled eyes.

My hand comes to rub at my chest, and I try to focus on each inhale and exhale.

Each rumble brings flashes of the dead I’d seen in the halls. People from both courts, Valor and Truth, dead because of not just Drytas, but Evander. Now his people, as well as my own, were being sacrificed like pawns for power moves. No one isfighting forthem, and there’s nothing I can do that will save either side.

With a shuddering breath, I stand on shaky legs. I may not be able to stop what has happened, whatishappening, but I sure as Trial would not hide here while innocent people slaughter each other.

And that means facing Truth’s Trial. Screw the odds.

The smellof water engulfs me as I step closer to the gaping mouth of the tunnel. It’s not the salty mixture that assaulted my senses when we first arrived at the capital, walking up the hill that bordered the ocean. Instead, it is a fresh smell, cool and earthy. The dewy humidity coats my face and skin.

A narrow stone walkway extends into a water-filled room. Only a foot in width, the stone catwalk stops in the center, standing high above the moat. High enough to be wary of but a manageable jump if necessary, even if I couldn’t swim once in the water below.

Without leaving the entrance to the cavern, I peer at the cavern below. Barely able to see into the space from the lack of light, I squint through the darkness. The water is still, not a single ripple moving across the surface.

“Iknowyou are there.”

The shrill voice echoes through the cavern, sending shivers down my spine.

Where is the voice coming from? No one stands atop the walkaway, so my answer could only be down. Down in the depths of the dark water below.

“Who’s there? Where are you?”

My voice reverberates, coming out louder than I had said the words, and I flinch at the volume.

“Questions... questions. Many to be answered, but not till you step out onto the bridge.”

This was not like my Trial in Falland. Then I had the time to think. To see what lay ahead before I faced the Kadara. Time to decide before leaping into the Trial. Now I don’t have that same opportunity.

Stepping forward, I struggle to peel my gaze away from my feet as I step onto the narrow path. With only inches on either side of me, I devote every part of my attention to not falling off this ledge.

When my body is clear of the entrance, the sound of scraping stone moves behind me. Whipping around, I rush forward as the opening seals; a stone door sliding out from within the wall.

“No!” I shout out as I try to push the door back open. As it thuds closed, a rush of light fills the cavern, torches on the surrounding walls burning above.

“There’s no stopping once we’ve begun. No way back until we’re done.” The voice sings the words in a mocking tone.

I flinch away from the door when the small holes covering it click, seconds before spikes push out. The pointed rods are the length of an arrow, with razor edges around its entire surface.

I back away from the death trap door, stepping out onto the perilous-looking walkway. Frustrated, I clench my hands tightly. The cave suddenly feels much smaller than it had, and my chest tightens, each breath feeling more difficult than the last. The pressure of the Trial hitting me full force since entering the tunnel. I can’t help anyone if I die before making it out.

Now with better lighting, I can see the water ripple, catching sight of a long black fish tail flicker around near the surface. I still can’t see the bottom of the deep water.

What am I trapped in herewith?

“What are you?” I croak out, my voice wavering noticeably.

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