Page 77 of Forged By Heart and Claws
“No. They murdered her. The rest of my family is imprisoned.” Siray’s voice tightened. She drew in a sharp breath. “I won’t stop until they are safe.”
“We’ll get them out,” Briar said. “We’re going to turn the tables on Colm. They’re with the other prisoners deeper in the dungeon, right? None are set to be executed.”
“No.” Siray’s voice sounded flat. “And I won’t stop until they’re free.”
Suddenly, there was a faintcrack.A subtle echo of stone under pressure, magnified in the silence. Then the unmistakable sound of metal scraping stone…boots.
My ears twitched toward the tunnel behind us. I lifted my hand. "Quiet."
Briar’s spine straightened. She turned toward the sound with the same grim realization that seized my chest. The others stilled instinctively, even Kaylen going rigid.
Siray dimmed the lamp to a faint blue, plunging us into dark shadows.
The footsteps grew louder, more distinct. There were at least three guards, probably more, and getting close fast.
I gestured toward the tunnel branching to the left, the layout of the old paths unfurling in my mind after decades of studying them. We turned fast and slipped deeper into the mountain. Briar kept pace at my side, her hand on her sword, her steps sure but… off. The bond between us flickered like a flame exposed to wind—lit one moment, snuffed the next.
She glanced at me, her eyes searching for something.
I linked to her.I’m here. We’re going to figure this out.
I…I know.Her throat bobbed, but she squared her shoulders and pressed on.
Our steps echoed through the narrow space like ghosted heartbeats. The farther we went, the heavier the air became, thick with wet stone, old minerals, and ancient secrets. Shadows clung to the walls, wrapping us in jagged teeth.
Behind us, Kaylen muttered, “I think I just broke my damn toe.”
“Be silent,” I hissed. “Unless you want the guards to finish the job.”
Mercifully, she grumbled under her breath then fell quiet.
We rounded a sharp bend, and I ran my hand across some etched grooves in the stone. Old markers carved for escape routes. We were close now. Two more turns, and we’d reach the vesting chamber.
Briar’s breath quickened. She didn’t speak, but I could guess what she’d say if pressed.I’m fine.
The sounds of pursuit faded, but I didn’t trust that. Not with the way Fate liked to twist its claws into us. The slope of the path angled down, the rough stone biting into our boots. Siray adjusted the lamp, the flicker catching the sheen of sweat at her temple.
“Almost there,” I murmured, more for Briar than anyone.
The tunnel widened into a small antechamber with a ritual-smoothed floor. Silver inlays shimmered faintly in the flickering light on the floor and walls, old sigils predating Colm and even my father. This was the last threshold before the vesting chamber.
I slowed automatically, the weight of history and tension falling on me.
Kaylen stumbled with athud, catching herself against a wall. “Ow! Why do we have to move so fast? I can’t even hear anyone behind us! Can’t we slow down?”
“By Fate, be silent!” I turned on her, my temper snapping.
Then Silus exploded around the corner, his face twisted with fury, his teeth bared, his sword already mid-swing.
CHAPTER 17
Vad
Briar blurred into motion, shoving Kaylen behind her as Silus’s blade came down.
My heart stopped. What was she doing? I moved forward to shield Briar, but there wasn’t time.
Kaylen stumbled, gasping, nearly tripping over the uneven stone floor. The sword missed her by inches, sparking against the ground with a sharpringof steel meeting stone.
