Page 61 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Clear.”

Zee jumps up next to me with a grin. He turns to grab Duncan. Nathan appears instead, followed by Zac. Finally, Zee lies on his belly and reaches his hand over. Duncan appears with a grunt. We all turn to stare at the tunnel ahead. The dark, creepy tunnel which no doubt leads to more darkness and creepiness. I take a step forward, but Duncan’s stupid long legs beat me to it. “Hey,” I grouse.

Duncan smiles at me over his shoulder as the blue light floats ahead of him. “I have the light, I should go first.”

“Yes, you’re right, the man with blue balls should go first.”

Zee snorts a laugh as Zac pushes past me to follow behind Duncan. Zee nudges me forward. Of course I’d be in the middle. I saved their asses and they are still treating me like the damsel in distress. We stalk down the narrow tunnel, forced into a single file.

“Again with the creepy tunnels, caves and underground caverns,” I mutter.

“Why, what other holes have you been hanging out in?” Zac asks.

“The cave where we found the Jar and underground cavern known as Hell’s Hole where I found my demon.”

“Your demon?” Nathan mutters behind me.

Zac screeches to a halt in front and glares at me over his shoulder. “When did you visit Hell’s Hole?”

Jed’s been holding my secrets. I shrug. “Few days ago.”

“For what?”

“I was comparing demon balls.”

“What is it with you and your fascination with balls?”

“I’m searching for a man who has bigger ones than me.”

“Archan not meet your standards?” I blank my features. “Because you sure looked happy sat on his-”

“Zac!” Nathan cuts him off as a flush creeps up my neck.

“As a matter of fact, he did, but you couldn’t help yourself. You had to butt in.”

“Guys,” Duncan hisses.

“The Jar was calling you,” Zac protests.

“I was naked!” I whisper yell, getting closer to his face.

“Guys,” Duncan says again.

“You’ve seen her naked?” Zee says leaning over me to get in Zac’s face.

“Who hasn’t?” Zac shoots back.

“Guys!” The blue light pops out of existence and we are plunged into darkness.

“What?” I whisper.

“Listen,” Duncan says. I steady my breath and do as he says, my senses stretching out. A steady beat echoes down the tunnel. “Come on,” he whispers as we shuffle forward. The hypnotic beat gets louder, the bass rumbling beneath our feet. A steady light appears ahead, growing larger the further we move down the passage. Whatever is happening is at the end of this passageway, and something tells me these drums aren’t a good thing.

Magic skitters over my skin with each pulse of the bass, the hairs on my arms stand up like tiny needles. Nobody utters a word as we come within a few yards of the circular hole at the end. Duncan drops into a crouch and shuffles to the end, he peers around the edge and his entire body goes stiff. I assume it’s not unicorns and rainbows around the corner.

Zac peers around the corner, over the top of Duncan’s head. Thirty seconds turn into a minute.

“What is it?” I whisper. Duncan and Zac turn to glare at me.

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