Page 132 of Kingdoms of Night

Dust flew into the air.

The wolves howled.

He ripped open a pit and stared into its darkness as the room shuddered and quaked. Black Annis’s shrieks cut through the air.

He held his hand out to her, his gaze shifting from his clawed fingers to her. “Do you trust me?”

She looked up, clutching her wounded arm to her chest, then nodded and placed her good hand in his. “I do.”

He pulled her around and up onto his back, then grabbed a wolf in each arm. “We’re jumping.”

She barely had time to tighten her grip on his shoulder and chest before he leaped.

As the walls crushed in, they plunged into darkness, the spore-laden air spiraling above them.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

IDALNO

Idalno cringed against Feron’s back, her face buried against his sweaty neck. Her stomach soared up into her throat as they fell and fell and fell. The wolves howled and barked with alarm, but she couldn’t even choke a scream out.

Then they jolted to a stop, the vibration shaking her to her core.

A pained groan escaped him, but then he cleared his throat. “You all right?”

The darkness encompassed her, so thick and complete she could feel it. All sounds and scents of Black Annis had faded as well, as if they had simply dropped into another place entirely. One good thing at least. Even so...

“I can’t see a thing,” she whispered, still clinging to him. Her arm throbbed. “What about you?”

“I’ll live,” he said, his breath warm against her arm.

From the panting and clacking of nails, it sounded as if the wolves had started on ahead of them. Unless something was coming for them.

“Do you think Black Annis will follow us?” she asked, a wisp of his hair brushing against her cheek. “I can’t hear her at all.”

“No,” he whispered, his voice closer as he looked back toward her face. “I think she’s stuck up there. Smells like it, too.”

She leaned in. “Any way we can know for sure?”

“If she doesn’t attack us, that’s a good sign.” The smile in his voice was obvious.

She pursed her lips and tilted her head. “Really?”

He shrugged his powerful shoulders, the muscles rippling beneath her arms and body, making her even more aware of him. Her cheeks heated again. Her entire body had molded over his. It wasn’t as natural or comfortable as it had been that morning, but how could she not notice how perfectly they fit together even at this odd angle?

“There are some marks down here.” He took an easy step ahead. “They’re made in white chalk or paint. Looks kind of like a sigil.”

“You know how to work with sigils?”

“No. I’ve just seen them.” He let out a soft huff. “Angry as she was, she wouldn’t just be sitting back, letting us chat in the dark while mold eats her floor. These must seal her in. No way she could be quiet this long either.”

“She was a little talkative, wasn’t she?” She rested her chin on his shoulder. “Your eyes doing any better?”

The darkness hadn’t lessened at all. The air tasted cold and damp, with the faintest hint of mushrooms. All traces of the mold from above had vanished.

“I’m sorry—I just—I can’t see anything except darkness.” She started to let go and slide off his back. Of course he wouldn’t want her hanging onto him like a baby sloth.

“Oh, no, that’s not why I asked.” He caught her arm with his hand. “I’ll carry you.”

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