Page 125 of House Ignis

We veered toward a cluster of jagged rocks near the base of the Aegos Wall, where the earth seemed to dip unnaturally.

"Ryven would have known that," I said, the realization sickening me. "If he was desperate for a fix, he wouldn't have cared about the cost. He would've paid whatever they asked to get to the Veylaith side."

We reached a heavy iron grate hidden by enchanted ivy. Two Astral Guards stood there, their halberds crossed.

They didn't look heroic; they looked exhausted. Asher stepped forward, his shadows coiling like a silent bribe of their own, but he reached into his pocket instead.

"Stay back, Ava," he murmured. "Let me handle the 'negotiations.'"

I watched from the gloom as he approached them, his movements fluid and predatory. I saw the flash of gold—and the way the guards' eyes darted around before the grate creaked open.

"Come on," Asher hissed.

We jumped into the tunnel, slipping into the damp, echoing dark. The smell of wet stone and old magic filled my lungs, and as the gate clanged shut, the silence of the underground felt heavier than the forest above.

We made it through, but halfway down the passage, we were met with another sentry. A tall male stepped into view—lean, broad-shouldered, and dressed in House Umbra Astral Guard armor. His skin was a rich brown, his head shaved at the sides with runes carved into the remaining black curls. His eyes were a striking shade of violet like Darcy’s.

"Zander," Asher said, nodding. "This is Ava."

Asher's hand stayed firmly in mine, like he wasn't letting go unless someone forced him. Zander's eyes cut to me, then dropped to my exposed collarbone where the bond mark glowed faintly above the line of my sports bra.

"You two are blood bound?" he asked, one brow raised in surprise.

Asher didn't answer. I swallowed hard. "Hi," I offered awkwardly. "Nice… tunnel."

His eyes lingered on me a second longer than I liked before shifting back to Asher. Something unsaid passed between them—old tension that made Asher's jaw twitch. I felt the pulse of a warning ripple down the bond.

"Let us through," Asher said flatly, all charm gone.

Zander gave a slow smirk. "Fine."

But then—something massive moved in the dark. A shape peeled itself from the tunnel wall, and a deep, guttural growl echoed through the stone. I jumped back instinctively, barely biting back a yelp.

"Whoa, hey, it's okay," Zander said, stepping to the side.

The creature slunk forward—a shadow hound the size of a lion, with fur like smoke and eyes that glowed blood-red.

"This is Kova, my boundling," he added, ruffling the beast's ears like it was a harmless pup. Kova's tongue lolled slightly, but the growl in his throat didn't stop.

"Gods," I muttered, my heart still racing. "He's… big."

"He doesn't bite," Zander said, then paused. "Unless told to."

"Great. Comforting," I deadpanned.

Asher moved in front of me slightly—casual, but enough to make a point. His shadows flickered in response to Kova's. The hound growled low again, but Zander gave a sharp warning, and Kova finally huffed and sat.

"You've got about twenty minutes before the next patrol sweeps this section," Zander told us. "Stick to the main tunnel. It'll curve west and open just past the border. After that, you're on your own."

Asher gave a tight nod. "Appreciate it."

Zander looked between us one last time. "You're either stupid or brave, Maddox."

"Bit of both," Asher said, grabbing my hand again.

The moment we stepped deeper into the cave, the darkness swallowed us whole. And still—I didn't feel afraid. Not with him.

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