Page 32 of Hell Storm

It sounded like the guard’s screams of agony set every hellhound within the palace walls on edge. The air carried their growls and moans on its wings, and at the feel of it surrounding me, I shuddered.

“The building itself is unlocked, but you’ll need to use the keycard for the gate. It’s one of the few I can’t access online. After that, get inside and I’ll guide you from there.”

I checked over my shoulder and noted how the shadows among the trees weren’t stationary. They were moving. There was no telling how many guards were on my trail. If it hadn’t been for Elle and her quick thinking with the electric fences, I would’ve had hellhounds to contend with too.

The few seconds I had to hop off my bike to unlock the gate and prop the greenhouse door open were heart-wrenching. I quickly walked the motorcycle inside before jumping back on it.

“Straight ahead,” were Elle’s instructions.

There was no time to be careful, so I left a trail of shattered clay pots and broken sculptures in my wake.

“Get to the stairs and take them down to the bottom floor.”

“You want me to take the bike down the stairs?” I yelled out, hardly able to see straight as sweat poured into my eyes.

“It’s the only way. The Empress designed this space. It’s her own, personal sanctuary. She didn’t like the idea of there being only one way in and one way out, so she had it constructed with a secret exit that leads out from the basement. If you make it there, and through the tunnel, I can override the gate at the exit.”

Another tunnel.

Just the thought of it spiked more fear in my gut, but there was one word Elle said that made me press forward. Even when the commotion behind me made it clear I was no longer in this building alone.

Exit.

Just a few more obstacles and I’d be free.

“She’s headed toward the stairs!” a guard called out, prompting the ten or more on foot with him to charge straight for me.

I sped up as much as I could without losing control. The green railing of a dark stairwell was all that marked the steep drop off. Approaching it, I held my breath.

The bike bounced down to the first landing, and I dropped my foot when the tires screeched, burning rubber as I directed the bike into a sharp pivot and down another flight. The roar of the engine echoed in the tight space and I hit the gas just a little, relieved to see I only had one more level to descend.

Maneuvering down two floors had slowed me considerably, giving the guards a chance to gain ground, but the moment I reached the long stretch of darkness below, I opened up the engine and gunned it. I couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead even once I turned on the headlight, but I sped up anyway. At this point, running into a wall at this speed wasn’t even the worst thing that could happen.

The sounds of nearly a dozen sets of boots shuffling toward me was unnerving. Especially when I peered over my shoulder and saw nothing but blackness. They were fast, fast enough that they’d been able to keep up with the bike. I would have stood no chance against them on foot.

None.

“I’ve activated the gate,” Elle spoke up.

I squinted to see even ahintof moonlight filtering in, but … nothing.

“Did I maybe go the wrong way?” I asked in a panic. “Was there a turn I should’ve taken, or—”

“There’s only one tunnel down here, and you’re in it,” she assured me. Still, I saw no indicator that this gate she spoke of had really opened.

“I think something’s wrong,” I panted. “Maybe it didn’t activate. Can you check again?”

My heart hammered against my ribs.

“Corina, I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” To my surprise, I found comfort in Elle’s promise. “You don’t see the opening because there’s a steep slope coming up. Once you’re at its apex, the exit will come into view.”

I had to trust that, had to hold on to this promise as the fingertips of one guard swiped at the back of my jacket, coming dangerously close to snatching me to the ground.

Sure enough, I reached the top of the slope, and at the bottom, an open gate.

Leaning into the bike, I lowered my mass to decrease wind resistance. It was all I could do to outrun them. All I could do to ensure I made it these last few feet that stood between me and freedom.

“I’m closing it,” Elle announced. “You’ll make it.”

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