Page 42 of Dare To Fall

He snorts. “Pretty sure the only thing Garrett is concerned with right now is how many teeth you knocked out.” He turns and opens the door. “I’ll take a walk up there and see what’s happening.”

I pace the entire time he’s gone. When he finally slips back through the door, I pounce on him.

“Well?”

“She’s back in her room. She says … quote … ‘I fucking hate you, Eli. Leave me alone.’ … unquote.”

“I told you.” I grab my cell and instead of texting her, I call her.

“Leave me alone.”

“Kitten, I had to sell it.”

“You were going to make me suck your dick in public.”

“I wasn’t. I knew someone would put a stop to it.” Well, ninety percent of me had been sure someone would, anyway.

“It was humiliating.”

“I know. That was the point.” When she doesn’t speak, I sigh. “Listen, do you know the closet at the end of your hallway, near the stairwell?”

“What about it?”

“Go there. Make sure no one sees you and go inside. I’ll meet you there.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.” I end the call.

“You’re going to show her the tunnels?” Kellan drops down onto his bed and stretches out.

“We need to talk. I need to—”

“Regroup, I know. Just be careful. It’s still early.” He fiddles with his cell. “I’m going to see if I can get Miles to talk to me. Drop me a warning text when you’re on your way back … just in case.” One side of his mouth tips up into a smile.

“That sure of your persuasion skills?”

“That sure of my seduction skills.”

I’m still chuckling when I leave the stairwell and pull open the closet door. Ari is standing inside, her back to the wall, arms wrapped around her waist. Her eyes meet mine when I step inside.

“What—”

I lift a finger to my lips. “Sound travels,” I whisper. I walk past her and press the wall until I find the hidden catch, releasing the door. “Come on.” I hold out a hand and step into the tunnel.

Chapter 26

Arabella

I gasp as the wall slides apart. There’s enough light in the closet to see a doorway that wasn’t there before. Before I can question its existence, Eli presses a finger to his lips again.

My mouth snaps shut, and I take the hand he offers me. He guides me into the gap, and the door closes silently behind us, plunging into pitch-black nothingness. My hand tightens on Eli’s, and the tension inside eases a fraction when a thin band of light pierces the dark. He keeps the flashlight pointed forward as we move. I place my feet carefully, worried I might trip. He doesn’t force me to go any faster, keeping pace with me until, finally, he stops. My ears strain, trying to catch any sounds, but the only thing I can hear is my harsh breaths, and then Eli directs me forward again.

“Stay right there.” He lets go of my hand.

I shiver, the cold seeping through my clothes, and watch the beam from the flashlight moving away from me. A moment later, there’s a tiny orange spark as he lights a candle. Three more follow, and they give off a soft illumination, enough for me to recognize that we’re standing inside the tomb.

“There’s a tunnel to the tomb?” I can’t keep the shock from my voice.

---