I shake my head, refusing to let myself spiral down the rabbit hole. None of that matters right now. I need to focus on scanningour surroundings. On keeping Ivy safe. What happened back at the base while Thane, Wraith, and I were on that mission hardly matters right now.
Ivy is clearly not afraid Valek is going to hurt her.
She seems pissed off, not frightened.
Then again, she is incredibly brave.
Not many omegas would be able to look at Wraith without pissing themselves, let alone riding his back with their legs around his waist and arms wrapped around his scarred neck.
Andnoomega would be heading straight into the bowels of hell to rescue an incredibly dangerous wounded monster they don't even know.
No omega but our Ivy.
The tunnel broadens again. My eyes scan for threats, cataloging potential escape routes. Multiple passages branch off like arteries. The ceiling stretches up into darkness. Water trickles down the walls in steady streams.
"Which way?" Whiskey asks, his voice echoing.
I study the blood trail, noting the spray patterns and directionality. "That passage." I point to the leftmost tunnel. "Based on the blood spatter, he was moving faster than usual. Probably losing strength from blood loss and desperate to reach safety."
"Good," Thane grunts, already heading that way. "Maybe he'll be easier to deal with this time."
Ivy shoots him a glare that could freeze hell. "We're not going to hurt him."
Thane sighs in exasperation, but he doesn't argue.
Whiskey was right. We do have a new leader.
The cavern narrows ahead, forcing us to proceed single file. The perfect place for an ambush. The Knight's trail leads straight through, black blood smeared along the walls where his armored bulk scraped past.
But I push forward, keeping pace with the others. Ivy needs me—needs all of us—whether I deserve her trust or not.
And this time, I won't fail her.
No matter what horrors await us in the depths below.
Chapter
Six
WRAITH
Black blood marks our path.
Dark stains on stone.
Each step takes us deeper.
Down.
Down.
Down.
Ivy's small form presses against my back.
Her legs wrap around my waist.
Arms around my neck.