Page 39 of Crown of Envy

Damon nudged me with his elbow. “You feeling it too, Katniss? Place gives me the creeps. Like we’re walking into friggin’ Mordor or something.”

I nodded, grateful for his attempt at levity.

As we passed through the gates, the stone archway seemed to whisper tales of centuries past. The cobblestone paths echoed with the footsteps of history. Guards patrolled the perimeter, but thanks to Lisa’s spell, we passed unnoticed, our concealed weapons hidden from prying eyes.

The inner courtyard was a vast expanse surrounded by high stone walls adorned with flags bearing the emblem of Scotland. The Great Hall stood to our right, its grand entrance flanked by statues of knights in shining armor. To our left, the Royal Palace loomed, its windows dark and foreboding.

Brody led with purpose, scanning the surroundings. I held the compass in my hands, its needle quivering before settling in a specific direction. “The compass is pointing this way, toward the Royal Palace,” I told them. “It should lead us to the entrance of the dungeons.”

We moved as swiftly as possible, our footsteps blending with the ambient sounds of the castle. The atmosphere was thick with history and the faint scent of damp stone. Following the compass’s guidance, we descended a narrow staircase, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step.

The entrance to the dungeons was hidden behind a heavy wooden door reinforced with iron bands. The compass needle pointed directly at it. Damon leaned in, his ear against the door, listening intently. “No guards on the other side. Let’s move.”

Brody pushed the door open, and we stepped into the dimly lit corridor of the dungeons. Ancient stone lined the walls, and the flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows that danced and shifted as we moved deeper into the bowels of the castle. I kept my eyes on the compass, its needle unwavering as it guided us through the maze-like passages.

The sound of dripping water echoed through the passageways, adding to the sense of foreboding. Each cell we passed told a silent story of the souls who had once been imprisoned here.

Damon took point, his eyes sharp and alert. “Keep your eyes peeled for any traps. A place like this is bound to have a few surprises.”

We ventured farther into the dungeons. Suddenly, we came across a heavy iron gate blocking our path. A sign hung from it, reading Restricted Area. No Public Access. The compass needle pointed insistently beyond the gate.

Brody frowned, his brow furrowing. “This must be where the cells we’re looking for are located. The ones not open to the public.”

I examined the gate closely, noticing a modern electronic keypad next to it. “Looks like they’ve upgraded security down here. Any ideas on how to get past this?”

Lisa stepped forward, her eyes narrowed in concentration. “I might be able to short-circuit the lock with a spell, but it could trigger an alarm.”

Justice tensed beside me. “And if it does, we’ll have guards down here in minutes.”

Brody nodded grimly. “We need to find another way in. There must be maintenance access or an old passage they’ve overlooked.”

As we debated our options, I noticed a faint draft coming from behind one of the old tapestries lining the wall. The compass needle swung slightly toward it. “Wait,” I whispered, moving toward it. “I think there might be a hidden passage here. The compass is reacting to it.”

After carefully pushing aside the heavy fabric, we revealed a dark, narrow corridor carved into the rock.

Damon grinned, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “Now we’re talking. Secret passages, ancient dungeons. It’s like we’re in our own Indiana Jones movie.”

Brody held up a hand. “This could be our way in, but stay alert. If this passage has been forgotten, there’s no telling what dangers might be waiting for us.”

One by one, we slipped into the hidden corridor, the darkness enveloping us as we ventured deeper into the unknown depths of the castle. The compass glowed faintly in the darkness, its needle our only guide as we pressed on toward the dagger.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The air was heavy with moisture, clinging to my skin and seeping into my clothes. A bone-deep chill crept through my sore body, sending involuntary shivers down my spine.

The damp, musty scent of centuries-old stone and stagnant air filled my nostrils. Each breath felt like inhaling cold soup, the air so dense it seemed to resist entering my lungs.

“At least we have the compass.” I blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness. The soft glow barely illuminated my hand in front of my face. Panic bubbled up, my heart rate quickening as the walls seemed to close in around me.

“A compass? Oh sure, because that’s so much better than a flashlight,” Damon’s sarcastic voice cut through the darkness. “I bet it makes a great nightlight for all the creepy-crawlies down here.”

“All right, that’s enough,” Brody’s steady voice remarked. “We’ve faced worse odds before, and we’ll get through this. The compass is our guide, and we’ll use it to navigate.”

Cool fingers wrapped around my free hand. I flinched before I recognized Justice’s touch. His grip was firm and reassuring, anchoring me in the sea of darkness.

“I can lead the team,” Justice offered. “I can see in the dark, and with Sawyer’s compass, we’ll find our way. Stay close to each other.”

I squeezed his hand, feeling some of the tension leave my weary body as I absorbed his strength.

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