Page 97 of Polestar
He ignored the pang of nostalgia and focused on the genuine sense of urgency to move unseen and unheard.
“Got it,” he grunted as the stone finally gave way, and then the next.With limited space, he only removed as many as was necessary for Elias and himself to crawl through, then pulled them back into place, using the meteor metal handles affixed to the backs of the stones for that purpose.
“Your pack is just up along here,” Elias said, taking the lead through the tunnel.“I brought it down from the internal passages before going around to fetch the lockmaster.”
“Thank you, Elias.”Magnus blew out a breath, unable to see much in the dark.Both used their heightened sense of smell and hearing to navigate, guided by the changes in air drafts and echoes from the rooms above.
By the time they reached the pack, their eyes had adjusted enough to register slight variations in the dark.
Elias said, “After we last spoke, I went to see Grandfather.He’s not well.I don’t think he has long.He commanded I set you free, and to tell you he was sorry.”
Emotions punched Magnus in both gut and chest, making it difficult to breathe.His father had never in his life apologized to anyone.
“He’s dying?”
“Yes.”Elias’ voice sounded small in the confined space, reminding Magnus how young he was, despite his growing body.“And he’s marked, like Havard.It was hard for him to speak.I wanted to take you to him, but he insisted you escape.He said you’d come back for me and that I was to hide until you did.”
Magnus’ heart pounded in his chest, torn between escaping to find Ana, getting Elias to safety, and seeing his father one last time.
One thing he never dreamed of was his father’s death.He’d always thought of his father as eternal.
Foolish.Childish.
“Does your mother know about the tunnels?”
“No.Grandfather and the shaman expressly forbade me from sharing their existence with her or anyone else.”
“Good.”
“Can we take him with us, Father?”
Get Elias to safety and call Kane, or go back for his father?The sooner Kane and the team arrived, the much better chance they had of tracking Ana.
“Have you ever made the swim to Bear Island?It’s a hard journey.Long.”
“Twice.Grandfather said it was a tradition that every young bear makes the swim.I almost failed the first time, the second was much better.I made it there and back the same day.”
Pride threatened to burst Magnus’ chest at his son’s words.
A strong swimmer.Good.
“Listen carefully, Elias, this is very important, and I want you to do exactly as I ask.Will you do that?”
“What do you want me to do?”
Magnus noted he didn’t agree, but went on anyway.“I want you to run to the exit point.There should be a small boat stored in a safe place.Only after you ensure you are alone, row out to sea until you are clear of the island and use the satellite phone to contact my team.”
“Okay.”
“Identify yourself.Tell them Ana might be detained on a small island in the northeast sector of the archipelago.”
“What about you?”
“Don’t worry about me.As soon as you make the call, row the boat toward Bear Island, conserving your strength for as long as possible.Make sure no one sees you.This is vital, Elias.Theywillgo after you.”
“But I can help —.”
“It doesn’t matter that we’re mighty polar bear shifters if there are so many humans, as you say.They will be armed with weapons that can kill us.I don’t want any Barentians killed if I can do this discretely.Understand?”
