Page 75 of Queen's Griffon

“We made it this far,” Griff pointed out. “Thieves have obviously been coming for years.”

“And dying, too,” Simhi added. “The danger is very real. We might have made it this far, but who’s to say if we’ll make it back.”

The reminder he might have doomed Simhi and Monty had Griff slumping. It added to the guilt pressing on him.Sorry, Father.

“Speaking of danger, where’s this secret passage?” Monty rubbed his hands. “Never fought a giant rat before. Think we’ll meet some?”

“You’d better hope not if they’re the size of those bugs,” Griff riposted.

“The letter mentioned snakes, too.” Simhi shuddered. “Nasty things.”

“Wonder what else has been supersized. Your dad didn’t mention giant people in his letter,” Monty pointed out.

“He didn’t, and the skeletons we came across were of the normal-sized variety. Could be this growth stimulator doesn’t affect all living things.”

“Pity.” Monty stared at his groin and Simhi snickered. “Bigger doesn’t make it better. It’s all about skill.”

“Anytime you want me to show you…” Monty offered with a grin and Simhi snorted. “Not that desperate yet, pretty boy.”

“If you’re done flirting,” Griff interjected.

“Flirt? Never!” Monty exclaimed.

“No way!” Simhi huffed, red-cheeked.

The pair protested and Griff bit back a smile. They’d been doing this dance for a while. Eventually they’d figure it out. In the meantime… “The access corridor that leads to the lab networks is through this bookcase.” He strode to it and pressed the knob situated higher than a little boy could reach. Touching it made him think of his father, probably the last person who’d gone through the passage.

The bookcase moved without issue, surprising given the amount of time since it probably had last been used. Beyond loomed a dark tunnel.

“We’ll need some light. Let me go see what I can find.” Monty went off looking and Simhi prowled through the papers on his father’s desk as they waited.

“Your da sure did like numbers,” she stated. “Pages and pages of them.”

“He was very good at math.” Unlike Griff.

“How does playing with numbers fix anything?” Simhi scrunched her nose.

“Depends on the problem.” He leaned over her shoulder to read a few lines before murmuring, “These were calculations to determine how long before the land became arable again. And those”—he pointed to another sheet—“show the rate of growth in some rats who imbibed some of the growth accelerator.” He didn’t mention the fact it happened fast, as in over the course of a few months.

“Found some lanterns,” Monty crowed, returning with a pair dangling from each hand. “Here’s to hoping the oil in them is still good.”

They lit, and while a bit smoky at first, provided the light needed to enter the tunnel. A tunnel quiet and empty unless the giant mounds of rat shit counted.

Griff kept his weapon at the ready as did his companions.

A good thing because they were attacked at the first intersection.

Chapter 24

Avera

The bats must have knownFrisk hadn’t come alone, for a hairy face—snouted and showing off glaring red eyes—poked through the hole Frisk had created in the barricade. It hissed and tried to wedge itself through the opening, but its wings got caught.

To his credit, Lenno didn’t panic or flee but yelled, “Die you winged bastard.” With his sword, he jabbed the bat in the eye, pushing deep into its brain and causing an instant death. The creature went limp and formed a blockage that prevented other bats from trying to enter the tunnel.

Lenno, waving his bloodied sword, turned around and yelled, “Why the fuck didn’t you tell us the bats fucking ate people?”

“I warned you not to go in there at night. It’s when they’re awake and most active.” Basil shrugged. “Even during the day it can be dangerous, hence why the area’s been blocked off.”

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