Page 10 of Wolf Trap

Cutting him off, my voice hitched, “I suspect they are! If I had the means, I’d cement the bloody things up. I will rescue them, Lycaon, with or without your help. You’ve never seen an Oubliette, have you?” I shuddered. “They’re the reason I’d hate to be reincarnated in the fourteenth century. Some even had sewers running through them.” I glanced back at Ubraz. “Do you know where they are?”

Nodding, Krag grinned, his sharp teeth glinting. “Perhaps I was wrong about you, after all. Follow me.”

He stole a smile at Ubraz. “She’s no chosen one, but she has a heart. That gives her potential. Too bad, I felt like killing today. Now I feel almost…” his face winced, “Hopeful.”

Cool, stale air filled my lungs as we walked inside the cathedral. Blue, red and yellow light dappled onto the floor from the sun’s rays bouncing through the arched stained-glass windows.

Most of the pews were upturned, and the altar was bare. Above us, on the stone lattice ceiling, sat more gargoyles looking down. Their tails swishing, they watched with suspicious eyes as we walked through.

I had many questions, but I was too tired and just wanted to get home. And we still had that tunnel to go through, and the horrible bottle dungeon!

God alive, if only I’d stayed home that Saturday night.

Pointing, Ubraz looked at us. “There, there’s some rope. It’s large, from the old bell tower. Lycaon, you’ll have to look for something to anchor to the ledge of the dungeon.” He glanced around. “There’s plenty of metal in here. Look, what about that?”

In a corner there was a pile of old items, stools, tables and wooden boxes strewn about. Lycaon strode over, picking up the stool, and ripped the four-legged frame away from the cushion. “This will work, hopefully.” He grabbed the thick bell tower ropeand quickly wrapped it around the stool frame, then knotted it tightly.

“That should do well. The Oubliettes? Elsa, you want to know where they are?”

I let out a long sigh.

Anug stepped from the shadows, holding a map. “It’s all here. There are three. That we know of. Your best chance is now, during their daylight. But beware, their guardians patrol day and night. Not werewolves or vampires, as you’ve seen before.”

“I know. We’ll do our best to avoid them. And the portal?”

Pointing, he said, “On the map. But on the first floor. In the corridor, the room is central. Obviously, it’s guarded. You can’t miss it when you find it. The mirror is the only object in there. My advice would be, enter from above, through a window. If possible.”

“Thank you. Do you have any water, by chance?”

“Of course. There’s a well.” He kicked around some of the clutter from the ground. “No cups though.”

“No matter. I’ll probably die of thirst before I reach the castle.”

I wasn’t joking. My limbs felt weak, my stomach, well, it felt like it had left me and gone to search out something to eat.

Cramp pains shot through it from so much exertion and no water or food.

“I’m sorry. The well is out there, but… what about the stream? Here, climb on my back. I’ll take you both there. It’s clean water, but we’ve no utensils. At least you’ll have some hydration?”

I nodded, the thought of the water driving me on. I remembered a saying that my mum told me when I got overwhelmed in life.

Just take it one step at a time. Right now, a drink. As for the tunnel, think about that after I’m hydrated.

4

GROTTO

Fortunately, it was cool inside the cliff, and the air was salty sweet. As the gargoyles were such big beasts, both me and Lycaon were able to walk with ease. There was no way I could crawl there, I’m claustrophobic and a long hike up through a cliff on my hands and knees was a no.

They’d given us two rag-soaked torches to take, and as I lit them, emerald moss glistened on the walls. The roughly strewn path was slick with sea water, the briny scent almost overpowering.

My heart hammered, unnerved by being inside this long tunnel, and I knew it would take some time to get to the top.

In a perfect world, we’d rescue the prisoners and take down the castle, but that could lead Adara to Ubraz.

Who was I kidding? In my perfect world, I’d be at home in my garden, or wrapped up in my coat, walking along the coast with Lycaon, eating fish and chips. Battered pollock, mushy peas and chips…

Well, I was near the sea at least and I pushed down as best I could, the gnawing dread of the tide sweeping through here. Onthat thought, I glanced up and noticed small caverns dotted up ahead along the tunnel.

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