Page 59 of Return of the Nine

Teyha knew she was rambling, but she was just so tired. She used her pack as a cushion and relaxed against it, breathing evenly until she was able to slip into a light sleep.

Ekinar sensed her shift into sleep. He couldn’t feel any of his folk around him, and if he hadn’t known about the barrier she had mentioned, he would have followed Nosku into the chasm.

The small Gaian was a curious creature, but she was making every effort to allow him his privacy. It was something that he appreciated, but once he had touched her, he knew something she didn’t. Teyha was going to be his.

Ekinar Rossing had searched for a suitable female for ten years. In a few hours, this woman had not only seen through the mask that he and the rest of his folk wore, but she had been unmoved by it.

It was a slight prick to his ego that she had not fallen under the spell of his physical perfection, but since she was on the clock, he supposed that he could put his ego aside and simply enjoy her nearness.

There were formalities to go through. He needed to give her a piece of his shadow to sync her body to his and let him know her moods, but that would wait. He didn’t want to chance the dark energy disrupting what he had just read.

And so, when they have displeased their folk, the Shadowsshall be pressed into the cavern until such time as their sentence has been accrued. Once that time has gone, they will only leave with the touch of the light and drawn through the barrier that marked their imprisonment.

It was formally worded, but Ekinar was hopeful that Teyha qualified as the light and that she could bring the children and Nosku back through.

Teyha woke with a jolt as light started to caress her. She sat up, groaned and looked to Ekinar.

He was seated in the same position she had just been in, and he stirred when she dropped her pack and stood up.

“Nature calls. I will be right back.” Teyha moved and stretched her stiff limbs as she located a suitably hidden outcropping.

After she was suited back up, she returned to the chasm, staring at the now-visible glyphs while she washed her hands in some of her drinking water before grabbing a ration pack out of her bag.

“What did you learn from the archway?” Teyha munched quietly.

Ekinar stretched, and she watched his shadows flex and twist around him. He was back to being hidden, and she couldn’t stifle a sigh. He was so pretty when her senses were on high alert.

“You may be able to bring them out. It says that the touch of the light will bring them out. You are definitely not shadow, so you might qualify.”

She grimaced. “If I can’t get out, there is a flare gun in my pack. Just after dusk tonight, fire the blue flare. Help will come and to hell with the kids’ job future, we will get them out alive.”

“I hope it does not come to that. Try and see if you can get in and out.” Ekinar’s tone was encouraging.

Teyha looked into the darkness of the prison and sighed.“Fine. Don’t forget. Blue flare, straight up.”

“Blue flare, straight up. Good luck.”

He touched her arm, and she felt part of his shadow touch her cheek. When she looked at him, it was gone, but there was no doubt that something had just happened.

Teyha breathed in deep, striding forward. For better or worse, she was walking right into the mouth of hell.

Chapter Four

The texture of the air changed, growing thick and heavy. Teyha exhaled and inhaled again sharply. The air was fine. The sensation was on her skin, clawing at her senses.

As suddenly as it started, it stopped, and she stumbled into an antechamber.

Four pale faces stared at her. Nosku seemed uncomfortable. “Why are you here?”

“The translation indicates that I may be able to take you out of here, one by one. Who is first?”

The young men frowned at her, and it was easy to see which one was Nosku’s nephew. The young woman looked exhausted, so Teyha extended her hand. “What is your name?”

“Hiska. Hiska Kandor. This is my brother, Ritgar.”

Teyha smiled at the manners that were in evidence in this young woman. “I am Teyha Wynn. Pleased to meet you.”

Nosku cleared his throat. “This is my nephew, Darku Sheval.”

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