“Where do we go from here?” Dom says, startling me from my thoughts.
“This way,” Isalora says.
Everyone jumps. “Don’t do that,” Thom growls.
“That’s what I keep telling her,” I say.
“What?” She snickers. “I thought you could use a little help. If the sabretail prowlers are in this tunnel, I’ll be able to see them and shield you should they come after us.”
“Great, now she tells us,” Dom says.
I pull out the map Isalora gave us. “According to this, we take the first left, correct?”
“To the basement chamber, yes,” Isalora confirms, “but to get to the library, it’s a little trickier. Instead of going left, you would go all the way to the end and hang a right. There’s a ladder attached to the side. You would end up in the laundry room.”
“So, where to first?” I ask.
“You try the basement. I’ll check out the upper level,” she says. “It’s much more dangerous above than down here. Up there, Shadow Walkers hide blending in with the shaded areas.”
“Shall we meet at this corner?” Arryn asks.
Isalora nods. “You each have an hour. We get in and get out. Got it?” Isalora sounds very concerned. She vanishes before any of us can reply.
Cory shrugs, as though it’s business as usual. “Shall we proceed? We’re not accomplishing anything standing around.”
As we follow along, the smell of death increases. It’s a smell like heating meat, only more intrusive. I can almost taste the blood. Bile fills my throat, and I push it back down. For the first time, I’m getting the sense of what Wynter endured while trying to escape this hellhole.
As we draw closer to our destination, I hear screams, followed by the sounds of a whip cracking. The sounds become louder and louder the closer my team draws near. I see Cory put a finger to his lips. We reach a dead end where a ladder leads to a manhole above our heads.
“What, climb that?” I ask, pointing to the obvious. “It’s shut tight.”
Cory is about the only one here with strength to budge the steel lid. We watch him quietly climb the steps, all the while the screams of someone being tortured echoes against the walls. I cringe watching him, and with each bellowing wail from the victim above, Cory turns the lid of the manhole, keeping in sync to muffle out the sound, so we can make a surprise attack.
Cory carefully slides the lid over and pops his head inside the floor of the basement. It doesn’t take long before he quietly slides the lid back, leaving it partially open, and climbs back down to us.
I can tell he’s angry. His eyes grow brighter. His skin begins to change, and I can see the black veins in his arms bulge.
“What did you see?” I ask. He doesn’t answer me, so I climb the ladder myself.
I peek through the partly closed manhole lid that’s strategically placed near a person hanging in chains. They are naked and bloody. I can’t make out who it is, but I see Casey. I can barely see a second person hanging by their wrist a little farther away.
“Have they talked yet, Casey?” a woman’s voice says.
“No, Madame Moyer,” he answers. I hear a whip lash, penetrating flesh, and a man screams in agony. This must be why Cory is fuming. I want to vomit.
“Very well,” she responds. I hear a switchblade open. “Use this. Perhaps he will talk if he sees his sister bleed.”
I hear Moyer’s heels clicking on the floor. “I’ll give you one more chance to answer. Where are they?” she insists.
“I…I don’t…know,” the hostage says.
The woman’s voice sounds familiar, but I can’t be sure who it is yet.
“Leave her alone,” the man says. “Mother, I know you’re in there somewhere. Fight this evil.”
Mother? This can mean only one thing. It can’t be true. Chad and Blair were captured.
“Enough!” Moyer slaps the man. “Bleed them both dry.” I hear the sounds of her shoes clap away.
I cover my mouth to prevent any sounds escaping from my horrid shock. We failed. No, this can’t be happening.
In the next second, the woman in chains screams in agony, and soon after red blood slides down the drain oozing toward the manhole we’re veering through. I quickly descend the ladder to avoid being dowsed with blood. As I climb down, a wail comes from the man, and the river of gore deepens its flow.
“We have to do something,” I whisper. I can smell the body fluid and hear the sound it makes as it drips into a pool at the bottom of the tunnel floor.
Soon, the screams from both victims fade. His eyes continue to glow with fury, and I’m beginning to wonder if he will be able to remain composed through this rescue.
“Cory, what do you propose we do now?” I ask.
His eyes stop glowing. “That’s my mother and my uncle up there.”
“I know. I suspected as much when I heard Madame Moyer speak.” I can tell this is taking every ounce of control he has within him to remain calm. “We will get them out, Cory, stay focused. Now is not the time to lose it.”
“Bleeding them dry will not kill them. I know this,” he seethes, “but it doesn’t make it any easier retrain myself. She’s going to pay for this.” Cory’s eyes begin to glow with fury again.
Arryn cuts in, “If she wanted them dead, she would have done it already.”
“I smell a trap,” Cory says, sneering. “It’s her way of weakening our defenses. She knows we will manage to free them, and she’s counting on it. I’ve known her far too long to not see her conniving signs. Chad and Blair cannot fight back with their blood drained. She’s anticipating our return, like a game of chess, and we’re her pawns.”
“Wait,” I say, pulling at Cory’s sleeve. “Isalora warned us that your brother, Casey, might not have any soul left to save.”
“What’s your point?” he retorts.
“There will be evil behind those eyes of his,” I remind him. “He will try to kill you—all of us. There must be another way in. We won’t have time to throw the powder and knock him out without doing the same to your mom and uncle.”
“She’s right,” Arryn says. “We must find another way.”
“What does the map say?” Zak asks.
“It’s either this tunnel pathway we’re currently in, or the tunnel that leads to the cell block where Wynter escaped from.”
“Wait, I have an idea,” Cory blurts. His eyes begin to fade back to normal. “Give me one of those pouches, and I’ll sneak into the cell Wynter was in and call Casey over, drawing his attention. He will probably be confused as to how I got inside a cellblock, but it will give everybody else here a chance to get Blair and Chad down from the chains binding them. When he sees me, he’ll be angry and charge at me like any giant would. The grounds will rumble, like an earthquake. It will put the Shadow Walkers on high alert, warning of our arrival, so be ready for an attack. I’ll wait for him to get close and throw the powder in his face. Rory can hear my thoughts and will tell you when to move.”
The rest of the party gives him an odd look. “Long story,” I say. “The short version is it’s one of the abilities I acquired from the Waxlily antidote.” I look at Cory and smile.
“You mean you can read minds?” Thom asks.
“No, not exactly. I’ll explain later. For now, let’s get them out of here.” I nod, as we all watch Cory slip into the darkness, heading for the same cell Wynter escaped from a week ago.
“We can’t see anything now that Cory’s gone,” Dom murmurs.
My eyes are able to adjust to the blackness that surrounds us, so I flick on a flashlight that was tucked in my inner pocket of my cape and hand it to Thom. “Here, use this. But keep it away from the hole. The light will draw attention from above.”
Thom clicks the light off. “We’ll wait for the signal from Cory,” he adds. “As for this thing in my hand, we don’t need it for now.”
The blood has become a trickle, which I know means Blair and Chad will be in no positio
n to walk. I pray to the gods above in hope that my port ability comes back. I have a feeling we’re going to need it.
After a few minutes go by, I become nervous. “It’s taking too long. Something’s wrong.”
“Cory hasn’t sent you any message yet?” Arryn asks.
“He should have made it by now. What if the sabretail prowlers got to him?”
“No, we would have heard something,” Arryn assures me. “We stick to the plan. Get them out.” She nods towards the manhole revealing the hanging prisoners on the other side.
I watch Arryn set up and peer through holes of the blood-soaked grate that half seals us in. “Zak, do you think you can push open the lid all the way? It’s too heavy for me, and I’m fearful that Rory is right.”
“About what?” I ask.
“Something’s wrong,” she agrees. “We should have heard something by now.” She steps down, allowing Zak to climb the ladder to the opened hole.
“If I’m not back in five minutes, abort the mission,” Zak says.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I ask, stepping forward onto a few steps.
“Getting a head start.” He pokes his head through the hole.
“Are you crazy? We’re going to get caught.”
He looks down, whispering, “Not if you shut up. Follow my lead.”
I turn to face the others and shrug. I smell a trap. I notice Arryn and Akira have disappeared. Stunned, I say, “Where did the rest of our party go?”
“Ahh, I get it now,” Thom whispers. “Arryn is a Tora Nari.”
“What’s a Tora Nari?” I ask. “Never mind, not important, you can explain later. I agree with Zak. We can’t wait anymore.”
If something goes awry, I still have a sleeping powder Isalora gave me. I climb the rest of the way, but before I slip through the hole, I look back to make sure my team is following.
“We’re not getting anything done standing around here, go!” Dom remarks.
He startles me, and I proceed to ignore the worry in my gut, knowing something has happened to Cory. “Let’s move.” I slip through the hole, following Zak.
Chapter 29
Cory Storm
The Past:
Underground Tunnels at Storm River Manor
I’m not sure this is such a great idea. Something doesn’t feel right. Leaving them there and going off on my own is the best plan of action, but what have I gotten them into?
I haven’t told any of them I know these tunnels like the back of my hand. Quite frankly, I’m surprised Moyer doesn’t have any of her Shadow Walker minions casing these passageways.
My nocturnal sight allows me to see through dark places, but so far only rats seem to scrounge. I’m amazed they haven’t frozen to death in these frigid temperatures.
I turn a corner and continue pacing ahead where the patched-up hole still holds firm from when Isalora fixed it the day Wynter slipped through, escaping.
“Where do you think you’re going?” someone says behind me.
I know that voice. I was right to think we were not alone. I turn around to see two of my former comrades. Shadow Walkers I was forced to turn a few years ago. The memory pains me, knowing what I did to them.
“Tell us, Cory,” the first one says. “Why did you come back? Did you think you could stop Madame Moyer from her intentions?”
I remember the day I changed him, both of them actually. He begged me not to do it. It was before Jeff had given me the watch for protection. Madame Moyer had threatened my brother’s life if I didn’t do what I was told. The human side of me was weak, so I did it to save Cole. I sunk my fangs deep into his neck, drinking his blood and stealing his power. I acquired his vision as I drank; it allowed me to see the gift he carried. I was stealing from him at that very moment. At first, I thought it was a coincidence, not realizing the gift I would have was the power to read minds. I was still seventeen at the time. “Hello, Oskar. I see you have a new friend.” I smile. I don’t want to kill him, but I will if it’s necessary. I feel guilty. His soul is forever lost to the underworld now. Killing him will send him to hell for eternity. And that will be on my conscience forever.
“Oh, you mean Clyde, here?” They move closer. “You don’t remember him?”
Clyde moves to the side, and in the distance, I see two more Shadow Walkers approach. “What about the ones behind me. You remember them?”
They charge closer with their fangs extended, hissing.
Four against one, that’s rich. I can’t warn Rory or our whole operation will be blown. I’ve taken on more. This should be a cakewalk.
I slide my hand to the side of my waist and place it on the hilt of my dagger. “Are you sure you want to take me on?” I give a confident smile.
“Why not?” Oskar coos. “This might be fun. Besides, I had a good teacher.” He tilts his head and laughs. “And as such, I taught the Shadow Walkers behind me. You know, teaching the trade to family is a tradition now.”
The vampires behind them double in size, and now I have to deal with eight. I feel an ambush coming.
I back away, putting some distance between us. “What brings you to the tunnels, anyway? I didn’t realize Moyer knew these pathways.” I’m trying to buy time, but will it work?
“Am I to assume you find us idiots, Cory?” Oskar saunters toward me, giving the rest of his posse ample advantage to scout a position to attack. “You’re here for Cole. Trying to turn him back, are we? It won’t work. He’s one of us now. Besides, you won’t find him in these channels.”
I tighten my grip on the blade, and it begins to warm. Finding it odd, I don’t let it distract me and pull it from my waist. It glistens in the darkness among the blue hues emitting from our eyes.
“Ah, so you come prepared…” Oskar lunges forward, making the first move. He’s so quick that I miss my chance for a strike; instead, I’m sliced on the left side. I feel a slight tinge slip through my skin, but there isn’t any pain, and blood doesn’t seem to ooze from my body.
The blade Oskar holds reflects the light, as he stands a couple feet from me, appearing perplexed. “How are you still standing? I know I cut you. I felt your discomfort through my blade.”
Say what? I felt no pain. This weapon I hold must be protecting me somehow. I won’t allow him to distract me. “Guess you missed.” I smirk.
I hear a loud roar behind us and see Akira pounce on one of the Shadow Walkers, devouring him, as though he’s the cat’s first meal in days.
The other supernatural beings back away and hiss with anger.
Arryn appears with a bow extended. “Thought you could use a hand.” Before I have a chance to answer, a steel labradorite arrow tip impales another shadow walker in the heart, and he dissolves to ash, the arrow dropping into a pile of dust. “There’s more where that came from.” She smiles and readies another arrow.
Oskar’s eyes turn a glowing red, as do Clyde’s, and they both glide to attack me at the same time. I stab Clyde before he has a chance to get an opportunity. He, too, dissolves into a pile of ash. Oskar, on the other hand, comes out of the ambush unscathed and slices my back before dashing out of sight. The other Shadow Walkers escape with him.
I take a deep breath. “Thanks. They’ll be back. We haven’t much time to get to the cell and distract Casey to the jail quarter.
“They’re already inside the chambers.”
“What? I told them to wait for my signal.” I grumble knowing it is completely in Rory’s character not to wait.
“When they didn’t hear from you, they pressed forward,” she says.
“I should have known. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
We reach the patchwork of blocks, and I begin to dismantle Isalora’s mason work.
“What do you expect to accomplish by doing this other than anger the giant? We’ll be trapped in the cell you know.”
“Not if I can help it,” I say and pull from my pocket the sleeping potion. “Help me with these bricks, will you?”
Rory Fernshadow
The past:
In the Basement Chamber at Storm River Manor
Seeing Blair and Chad hang there like ragdolls makes my stomach churn. “How are we going to get them down?” I whisper to Zak.
“Very carefully,” he says.
The grinding stops, and we all freeze, knowing one sound from any of us and we’re sunk.
We hear the whimpering echoes of children. Their pain is deafening, and I know at this moment we have more to rescue than Chad and Blair.
Thom, Dom, and I follow Zak to a corner that’s hidden from the giant’s view. I gesture at Zak to get Chad down. Thom and Dom work on Blair’s bindings as I keep watch clinging to my bow should I need to use it. The moans and cries from the caged children intensify, as though they know a threat is coming their way soon.
“Shut up!” Casey wanders to the cellblocks and bangs on the iron bars, giving us opportunity to unchain one of the two victims from the noise. Casey grunts, and I watch him tread back to the grinding wheel.
I check Blair’s face. She’s badly bruised and unrecognizable with bloated features, as though she has been drowned, and then run over by a truck. Her faint pulse when I touch the side of her neck tells me she’s still among the living. “She’s alive.”
A moan comes from Chad. “He is, too,” Dom says.
The wailing of the children starts again, and Zak gestures to the cellblocks. A few yards away, I spot a loop of keys hanging near an archway. Casey is about two feet from where they dangle. The grinding wheel starts up again.
I wave at the boys to hurry with Chad and Blair.
Zak doesn’t hesitate to get them down. Thom and Dom help Chad to the manhole and Zak throws Blair’s limp body over his shoulder.
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