Page 125 of Winterfall Destiny

JAMIE

I can't help but notice the similarity between the catacombs and Maeve's vision. The shadows around the scene in Maeve's mind hid a lot. Part of the catacombs resemble a derelict factory, but that doesn't mean we're in the same place. Maeve hasn't spotted anything that matches what she saw—including this room.

But I stay close to Maeve.

Whatever happens, we do not separate.

That's our agreement.

Especially now we suspect the First spent time here. A girl similar in appearance to Maeve with the same first name? How could the girl not be the creature? The trepidation I had about stepping into the catacombs multiplies. Forget worrying that Gabriella may be nearby; the First might be.

The creature's toying with us and Gabriella. Has the First approached and helped Gabriella? Gabriella hasn't met the First since it was in a small child's body, and she's unaware that the child grew. Even if Gabriella suspects the First changed appearance, she won't know precisely what the creature looks like now. We've no way to know if Gabriella and the First made contact again, or if Gabriella knew the creature walked amongst her recruits.

What's the First planning? The endless, answerless question.

We need to alert Tobias. Speak to Andrei. The First might be here. Maeve can't detect the energy close by, but Andrei's blood recognises the First from further away.

I'm wary about moving far from where we are as we wait to make contact with the others again? I can picture the way leading to the catacombs entrance from this room, but we're in a labyrinth. If our group moved any further onwards, we could lose ourselves.

Uncomfortable with having my back to anybody, I turn around. The vamp who spoke still scrutinises us, as do the witches, and my chest tightens. "I think we should leave," I say quietly to Maeve.

Remembering our group's agreement that if we come across too big a threat that we'd return to the entrance, I attempt to communicate with Andrei what we've seen, looking at him and gesturing at the lists of names with my head. He and Tobias glanced at them earlier, but were interrupted by Art, so must've missed the whole list.

Andrei needs to see the girl's name on that sheet and talk to Tobias.

Taking Maeve's hand, I edge us towards the archway protected by the locking runes to wait for the others. Although we're watched still, I'm prepared for any risk if someone follows. At a decent pace, we could be out in the open within five minutes. If not, we've our magic.

"Hey!" shouts one of the vamps. "Nobody leaves."

The hubbub fades, the number inside the space suddenly seems larger as eyes turn our way. The witches by the back wall throw mocking looks as the vamp who passed us earlier rises from the table and strides through the centre of the room until he's inches from Maeve's face. Several of his buddies join him and surround us.

"I'm in charge of witches," he says in a voice that cools my blood. "Unofficially. We're all stuck down here until there're enough witches, and I'm fucking bored."

"Enough?" asks Maeve evenly. "How many witches are needed?"

"Two less now that you're here. You're not leaving." He tips his chin. "And if Art sees you sneaking off, you'll spend time in a room with hemia overnight."

I slide a look to Andrei and stiffen. The weirdness surrounding him intensifies, eyes shining brighter than natural, but he hasn't stepped from his position outside Art's door.

"Get away from that tunnel and back to the witches or I'll fucking take you over to them myself," he says, looking between us before settling his eyes on Maeve. "By the hair."

"I'd advise you not to touch my friend," I say.

"Or him," she adds.

Two bulkier vamps knock into me, then stand to block most of my view of the room, and the arsehole hemia whispers to Maeve, "I have my own brand of punishment for misbehaving witches."

"You're not allowed to touch witches," she says evenly. "And again, I'd advise that you don't touch either of us."

The magic from our linked hands pulses in both directions, and there's an edge of darkness to Maeve's Winterfall light.

"Okay, bad idea, we stay," I murmur to her. "Heads down and wait for Tobias to finish."

"Alright," Maeve says to the guy. "We won't leave. Let us past."

"Good girl." The vamp's fingers touch Maeve's cheek and, in a blurred second, he's no longer standing by us.

A yell echoes from the tunnel to our right, and I pull Maeve aside, gripping her tighter to me at the second higher pitched scream. I whirl around to find the missing vamp, and I'm bumped to one side as recruits rush over to watch the spectacle. Across the room from the surging people, three people pause outside the door where Andrei stood.

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