Page 7 of Tangle of Lust and Lethargy

As we huddled together in the aftermath of disaster, the pressure of our next steps pressed down on me. The journey back to the manor loomed ahead, a path now darkened by loss and the shadow of betrayal. The warmth of Justice’s embrace and the sounds of our shared grief were the only things anchoring me to the present, keeping me from being swept away by the tide of guilt and regret.

Justice glanced up at the ceiling. “I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet. We’d better get out of here before the serpent brings the rest of this place down on us.”

His firm grip on my arm steadied me as he guided us out of the tunnel and back into the Labyrinth of Reflection. The sudden shift from the close, dusty confines to the vast, echoing space of the labyrinth made my head spin. The air here was different, cooler, with an underlying mustiness that tickled my nostrils and reminded me of old books and forgotten secrets.

My heart hammered as we moved forward, each step a reminder of our narrow escape and the heavy price we’d paid. Brody’s absence felt like a physical wound, a gaping hole that ached with every breath. I leaned my head against Justice’s shoulder, not caring about the grit and dust that clung to us. The fabric of his shirt was damp with sweat and tears. Mine or his, I couldn’t tell anymore.

The failure nearly strangled me. Maci had the Crown of Envy. She had the jump on us. Dread seeped through me, bitter and sharp, as I imagined what she might do with its power. This was all my fault, no matter what Justice said. The thought ricocheted around my skull, a punishing mantra I couldn’t silence.

Whispers echoed through the labyrinth. They started as a soft susurration, like leaves rustling in a gentle breeze, but quickly grew louder and more insistent. The voices seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, a cacophony of indistinct words that set my teeth on edge.

Zara stiffened, her breath catching in her throat. Damon’s hand clenched around hers. The memory of our last journey through this place, facing our deepest fears and most painful memories, hung over us like a storm cloud ready to burst.

“Everyone join hands,” Justice’s voice cut through the whispers, steady and commanding. His fingers intertwined with mine, warm and reassuring despite the tremor running through them. “I’m going to draw on vampire speed to get us out of here and back to the catacombs.”

We formed a chain, our linked hands a lifeline in this maze of mirrors and shadows. Zara’s palm was clammy against mine, and my own muscles coiled, ready to spring. Around me, bodies shifted restlessly, feet scraping softly against the ground. The whispers grew louder, more insistent, as if sensing our imminent departure.

Justice’s eyes met mine for a brief moment. In their depths, I saw a mixture of determination and fear that mirrored my own emotions. Then, his pupils dilated, expanding until they nearly swallowed the warm brown of his irises.

A jolt of energy surged through our linked hands, raising goosebumps along my arms. The world around us blurred, the whispers rising to a fevered pitch before suddenly cutting off, replaced by the rush of wind in my ears. My stomach lurched as if I’d plummeted down the first drop of a roller coaster.

Justice dragged us through the labyrinth at impossible speed, my grip on Zara’s hand like a vise. The mirrors reflected distorted, stretched versions of our chain. The chill air whipped at my face, drying the tears on my cheeks and tearing at myhair, each strand a live wire in the rushing wind. Zara’s fingers trembled in mine, or maybe it was my own hand shaking.

Despite the dizzying pace, one thought remained clear in my mind. We were one less than we should be. Brody’s sacrifice hung in the air, a silent passenger on our frantic journey back to the catacombs, then home to the manor.

The vampire’s preternatural velocity careened us around corners. Our feet barely touched the ground, skimming over worn stone slick with centuries of moisture. The cool, dank air of the catacombs rushed into our lungs, carrying the musty scent of decay and forgotten history.

CHAPTER FOUR

Suddenly, Justice released us, and I stumbled to a halt. The abrupt stop sent my world spinning, and my stomach lurched. I blindly reached out, and my palm hit the rough-hewn wall. The stone was cool and slightly slimy under my fingers, supporting me as I fought to regain my equilibrium.

As my racing heart slowed, the catacombs gradually came into focus. My eyes adjusted to the gloom, picking out details in the wavering light of distant torches. Shadows danced across walls adorned with ancient carvings and patches of phosphorescent moss. Droplets of water trickled down from unseen crevices, their quiet clinks echoing in the eerie silence.

I drew in a shaky breath, the chill air seeping into my bones. We were deep in the belly of the earth, trapped in a labyrinth of the dead with a creature of the night as our guide. As my vision cleared fully, I caught sight of Justice’s pale face in the gloom, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light that made my skin prickle with unease.

Justice’s eyes darted from face to face, his brow furrowed with concern. “Is everyone okay?” The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows across his pale features, making him look more ghostly than ever.

Damon hunched over, hands on his knees, and released a ragged cough. When he straightened, his face was a mask of discomfort. “About as well as a cat caught in a blender,” he grumbled. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, grimacing. “Next time, I think I’ll take the granny pass.”

Bitterness tinged my lips. I swallowed hard, my eyes stinging with unshed tears as I surveyed what remained of our team. “We need to get back to the manor,” I whispered hoarsely.

Damon’s green eyes met mine, their usual mischievous glint replaced by a somber intensity. “And spread the good news that we were duped, lost the Crown of Envy, and a friend?” His words hung heavy in the musty air.

I squared my shoulders, wishing I could turn back time and none of this would have happened, but when did hunters ever get a break? A single tear escaped, tracing a cool path down my cheek. I wiped it away with a trembling hand, smearing dirt onto my palm. “Yes,” I replied, trying to sound stronger than I felt.

I was about as strong as a wet kitten.

Damon closed the distance between us in two quick strides. His calloused hands gripped my shoulders, warm and reassuring against the chill seeping into my bones. “It wasn’t your fault, Sawyer.”

I lowered my head, unable to meet his gaze. The smell of damp earth and ancient stone filled my nostrils as I inhaled a shuddering breath. “I accused the wrong person. If I wasn’t so blinded by my own pride, maybe I would have seen the signs. Then I could have stopped it.”

“Listen to me.” Damon gave my shoulders a gentle shake. I looked up and met his determined gaze. His face was inches from mine, his breath warm on my skin. “We all fell for Lisa’s lies. None of us were immune.” The conviction in his voice was almost enough to make me believe him. Almost.

Soft footsteps echoed through the cavernous space, barely audible over the constant drip of water from unseen crevices. I held my breath as I picked up a rock, ready to bash it over Lisa’s or Maci’s head. The fight hadn’t gone out of me yet, and I wanted revenge for Brody.

Zara emerged from the shadows, her approach slow and hesitant. I exhaled a breath of relief and dropped the rock with a thud. Then, I grimaced at the flash of fear in her eyes. Did she think I would hurt her? If you would have asked me an hour ago, I might have said yes, but I had wool over my eyes. I saw whatIwanted to see. Lisa fed me lies to keep me thinking Zara was the enemy. What a fool I was.

The flickering torchlight caught the copper highlights in Zara’s red hair, creating a halo effect around her pale face. Her blue eyes, usually bright and determined, now swam with unshed tears, glistening like sapphires in the dim light.

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