Page 126 of Ruthless Scoundrel
His skin is burned red, like mine, and winding lacerations run down each arm. We’re not in great shape for a fight.
“Then let’s split up and hurry. I’ll take this passage,” I say, pointing down the hall that leads away from the water.
His brow pinches and I can tell he likes that idea about as much as getting punched in the stomach. He clenches his jaw with a heavy huff and then nods. “Just look, then come back here. Three minutes.”
I take off at a run, holding my torch high. Even though it hurts my sensitive skin, it’s replenishing my magic. It’s not much power, but it’s something, maybe enough to heal soon. So many of those selkies looked on their deathbeds, and no wonder. They were swimming in their own filth, the sea outside not providing any current to refresh their water.
The thought has the fire in my chest burning again. I wish Vansen wasn’t dead, because I’d kill him all over again, in the worst way possible.
I reach another intersection and start counting as I turn right. I pick up my pace, ignoring my body and its demands for rest. I can rest once they’re all safe. Once Jasper’s heart is whole again, his guilt abolished.
“Is anyone here!” I call out when I see the glint of a copper bar.
The door and the keys of the cages are no doubt rune-scribed. I saw the flicker of gold magic in the lock as I turned the key. Even in death the false king could hurt us if we’re not careful.
I reach the only cell in this hall—though it does go on for another twenty feet—and hold my torch higher. The sight that meets my eyes is not one I thought I’d ever see again. The floor of the cell is moving, rippling like thick water.
And then I see the eyes. Molten-hot and full of hatred for me.
I drop my gaze, not looking the ekstienvas in the face, or what I think is the face. It was like looking into a noseless, mouthless mask of crystal formations. It glowed against the red fury in the creature’s eyes, creating a beautiful rainbow of color.
“I’m here to free you,” I say, knowing full well this being likely doesn’t speak my language.
I hold up the keys in my other hand. “Freedom.”
I start the process of going through the keys. On my fourth attempt, the eksteinvas approaches the bar. I freeze, not wanting to upset the creature and go the way I saw the man I’d shot, swallowed up into the ground.
It reaches forward. Its arm—if it could be called such a thing—ends in a single sharp crystal.
Gods, please don’t let it stab me.
It pokes the key ring, then shifts through them. Finally, the crystal on its digit grows into a hook and it pulls one of the keys forward.
“This one?” I ask, slowly grabbing the key.
There’s a rumble like grinding stone, but I won’t look up. I couldn’t read this creature’s expressions even if I wanted to.
I stick the key in the lock and turn. A soft spark of gold discharges and the tumbler clicks.
“Reina!” Jasper’s voice carries down the hall.
“Here,” I call back, keeping my gaze off the creature in front of me.
“That’s notlooking,” he declares as he charges toward me.
The eksteinvas pushes on the door, and the gate squeaks open.
“Rei, back up, now! Come to me!” Jasper says in a panic.
The floor swells and shifts under my feet, throwing my balance. The eksteinvas moves through the door and places its stubby arm on the wall across from its cage. I take a few slow steps back, still keeping my gaze on the floor. Jasper’s warm hand comes around my arm as he pulls me behind him.
“What’s it doing?” Jasper asks, lifting his torch arm.
The crystal of its nubby arm melds into the wall, sinking into it.
“No idea,” I whisper back.
A few quick seconds later, we’re looking at another door, this one made of shimmering, clear crystal. The eksteinvas has reduced in mass significantly, and I have to wonder if it just pushed some of itself into the wall.
