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Chapter 27
Zeph
Asequenceofloudcrashes sound down the tunnel, several feet ahead of me. My chest tightens, and anticipation crawls up my spine. This must be Viola. My skin is alive, crawling with anticipation the closer I get to the source of the noise.
Hearing Mace and Stone behind me in the rounded underground command center, I’m frantic. They seem nonplussed about the noise, expecting Viola to just enter their veritable seps den.
As I run, I strain my ears in hopes of hearing any other noise from the face of the mountain. In the distance, I swear I can make out the sound of a feminine voice.
My heart beats with excitement.
Could that be her?
Am I going to finally get to meet Viola Mistflow?
Something in my bones yearns for her. I have no idea who this woman is, and I have never met her, but I know I was always meant to be with her. It feels fated.
I skid to a stop before a small gate closed over an empty corridor carved straight up. Sunlight streams in from cracks around a dark square. The square lowers slowly, and the sounds of voices become louder and clearer. I cannot make out exactly what they’re saying over the noise of the elevator lowering.
It jolts to a stop in front of me, and I whip the gate open. I look into the frantic eyes of Viola Mistflow, grey and stormy, her face contorted in shock. I don’t miss that her hand sits on the hilt of her dagger, ready to attack. Tulip is frozen, her body half-hidden behind Viola’s, where she clearly was shoved.
Viola is tall – as tall as me, it would seem. I don’t know how I missed that while watching her all this time. She’s dirty and wild-looking, her body clearly weighed down with grief, exhaustion, and fear. Tensed and ready for a fight, strength radiates off her in waves. I briefly scan my eyes over her figure, a picture of refined brutality, and I suddenly realize just how different she looks from the fae women I’ve known my whole life.
I am immediately reminded that while I may know not only her but the connection we are bound to share, she has never seen me before, so her senses are on high alert for danger. I must look agitated and disheveled from my journey underground.
Attempting to throw on a winning smile, I reach my hand to her.
“Come on, we have to get you two out of here before you’re found.”
Chapter 28
Viola
Thesmallelevatorlowersus down slowly. We’re heading into the mountain. Tulip is giddy with excitement, bouncing on her toes and saying, “I knew it” repeatedly. As excited as I am that we found it, the loss of Max continues its unrelenting stabs into my heart. She should be here with us.
An overwhelming sense of unease washes over me, and I shove Tulip behind me. “Wha-” she begins, and the elevator makes contact with the ground.
In front of us is a fae male with a scruffy beard, bright green eyes, and auburn hair. He’s got a large black tattoo wrapping up his neck, peeking out of the collar of his untucked and rumpled shirt. He’s insignificantly taller than me, and his shoulders are so broad he radiates strength in a lethal way. Despite my nerves being on edge, my eyes cannot help dragging down his sharp jawline.
He would be exceedingly handsome if he didn’t look terrified.
Fear strikes through my gut. This isn’t how it was supposed to be. He looks frantic, glancing around his shoulders like he’s being chased. His breathing is labored, and I recognize him as someone running from something.
He stares at me with a familiarity that unsettles me. It’s like he can see through me, into my very being. It sends a shiver down my spine, the unnerving sensation causing my fingers to tighten around the hilt of my dagger.
He reaches a hand to me, and I automatically take a step back.
This isnotright.
This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
We made it to the elevator. Someone here should be celebrating us, treating us to the sparkling mead given to the winners in the arena. Instead, our welcoming party is a solitary fae man with unmistakable fear in his eyes.
Why do I get the distinct impression that we’re not supposed to be here?
My worries are confirmed as the man slaps on a forced smile and pleads with me, “Come on, we have to get you two out of here before you’re found.”
Part 2 - Ytopie
