Page 213 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

Drip. Drip. Drip.

A pipe leaks somewhere nearby. The hair on the nape of my neck begins to curl.

By my best guess, we descend the depth of four stories before flickering torchlight punctures the darkness.

Tension in Rian’s shoulders relaxes. The pressure of his shadows lessens.

“Thank The Mother,” he murmurs so quietly that I’m not sure I hear him right.

Firelight allows me to see the bottom of a staircase made of worn, warped wood. The last step groans as Rian walks over it.

My gaze sweeps the space around me as he sets me down on a dirty concrete floor.

Unfinished walls. Water stains on the ceiling. It’s a basement of some kind.

Unwanted memories of my time in Verdanthia’s dungeon assail me.

A tremor racks my body.

I squeeze my eyes shut and breathe through my nostrils.

You’re not locked away, I remind myself. You’re safe.

Hinges moan.

I snap my eyes open.

On the far wall, beside the lone torch that breaks up the endless dark we traveled through, is a thick metal door that looks like it belongs in an armory, not tucked underground in an unfinished basement. And Rian is opening it.

I take a step back. My sandal catches on the back of my gown. I bend down and pull the fabric free without taking my eyes off Rian.

“What is that?”

“Our way out.”

My racing heart picks up its pace. “Where does it go?”

“To the coast. Past the wall. One of my contacts will have a boat waiting for us. We will meet the others and sail to reunite with Jaxon.”

Contacts?

Sail to Jaxon?

I take another step back. “We can’t just leave.”

“We can, and we will.” Smoke swirls in his gaze. “I already told you, you are my priority.”

“Are you truly so heartless?” I shake my head. “You have access to your shadows, and yet you would leave innocents to face a danger that only exists because you stepped onto their shores.”

A menacing scowl distorts his features. “The Sea Fae are here because they despise Virendrell. My presence is just their convenient excuse to attack.”

“But it’s still their excuse!” I throw my arm in the direction we came. “Hali is out there.”

“Hali can take care of herself.”

“Not if she’s worried about taking care of others.”

“You mean like you are?”