Page 89 of A Dawn Of Blood

I quickly look away, let out an awkward chuckle and say, “The answer is a resounding no.” Then I fix my eyes back ahead.

Nuala huffs out an impatient breath. “You think we have time for chit-chat?” Nuala clips out. “I don’t care what this is. We’re still going in, but remember, no talking to anyone.”

We all give her a nod and start walking. It almost makes me jump in place, when the collar sends a shock of pain through me.

I throw a look over my shoulder to check on Cain, worried that this will be yet another attempt to escape.

He’s gritting his teeth, but he’s looking straight ahead and following at the usual distance. The pain goes away, I breathe a sigh of relief and I turn my eyes back ahead.

I do my best to avoid the people gathered outside the entrance. We get inside and start going down the steps, gluing ourselves to the wall anytime someone passes us by, either going up or down.

As soon as my boots hit the ground, I start having to elbow my way through, the bare, crumbling walls of the catacomb barely visible from the bulk of the stage, the brightly-colored lights of the reflectors all around and the mass of people swaying in the rhythm of the music.

“Just keep moving,” Nuala bites out as she throws a look over her shoulder.

Raven and I exchange a chuckle. Sure, Nuala is a little pissed-off, but this is actually just as good as finding the place entirely deserted.

Besides, the party seems to be concentrated near the exit, and judging by our calculations, the temple should be on the far end of this level.

Soon, the crowd starts dispersing and we start passing entirely empty rooms. Even Nuala breathes a sigh of relief.

Then I spot a dead end, but the opening in the middle of it has an inscription that says Reh-Yah.

My lips curl into a smile and I pick up the pace. Everyone does.

But when we enter the room, we find a girl staring at one of the statues with her back turned to us.

We all come to a stop, and I look at Nuala to ask what we should do, when the girl turns around, scans us all with a slightlydazed look and smiles. “Ah,people, and foreigners at that. I’m so happy to see you, I thought I got lost.”

“The party is back there,” Nuala tells her.

She lets out a lazy chuckle, showing a flash of fangs, and walks up to us, taking her by the upper arm. “The party iseverywhere.” Then she scans us again, her eyes stopping on Cain. “And you, my man, did you also come to enjoy a glimpse into our shared history?”

I watch Cain throw her the most murderous look I’ve ever seen.

“Sorry about him,” I rush to say.

The girl laughs and turns to me. “He’s a grumpy one.”

“He is. I think he’d prefer to enjoy a glimpse into your shared historyalone.”

“That’s a shame.” She turns back to the statue she was looking at. “It’s fascinating, isn’t it, to think we used to be top dogs. The streets ran red with blood in our honor. Then they made us all scurry underground likerats.”

Thinking what to do about her, I choose a diplomatic answer. “It was a different time for sure.”

She turns back to us again. “Where are you all from?”

I exchange a glance with Nuala, getting the approval. “We’re from all over the world,” I say with a smile. Then I take a step closer to her and lock eyes, starting to use my power. “But it’s quite hot in here, isn’t it? Makes you unbelievably thirsty.”

I feel it succeed. “Yeah,” the girl says, suddenly licking her lips. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going to get myself another beer.”

It makes me breathe a sigh of relief, when she waves and walks out of the room.

“Alright, let’s get moving,” Nuala orders as soon as she’s out of sight.

Dryden goes to keep watch over the entrance, Cain leans against the wall with a murderous air about him, and the three of us women start inspecting the tombs.

I walk up to the closest one, only to see the carvings having been chiseled away.

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