Luc made a face as if he’d smelled something foul. “It must run in the family.”
Luc moved away to speak with Rhys. Several of the Bringers congregated around.
Juna joined them. “Well done.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Rell said.
Juna looked at Siban, a smile tugging at her lips. “Let’s just say it was a united effort.
He dipped his head at her veiled compliment. Juna took a step toward the towering arch and turned back to look at them. “One obstacle down.” She paused. “I wonder how many more we have to go.”
Siban wondered the same thing. From his estimate, this puzzle had been fairly easy to figure out. Besides the last square, any of the ancient Bringers could have guided Rell, though probably not with as much certainty as Juna had done.
“It is good to see that we can work together for a positive end.” Gregory gathered the group beneath the arch. Though there seems to be nuances some of us cannot pick up that others can.” He turned and faced the path leading away from them. “Vile’s illusion traps are bound to grow more complex the deeper we travel.” He turned back to the group. “Remain vigilant. Help each other. Take nothing for granted.”
Gregory’s words unsettled Siban. On the surface of Inness, things were usually what they appeared to be. He counted on the grass being green, winter wind to blow cold, and the sun to rise each morning. In the Shadow World there were no rules. Siban latched onto that confusing bit of truth. The only way he’d be able to reason through the shifting dangers of the Shadow World was to let go of all he ever thought he knew and to open himself up to the one thing he’d been trying so hard to run from—the darkness.
Chapter Seventeen
Thick slabs of carved stone sat stacked on top of each other to create the soaring arch. Rell’s gaze followed the climbing columns that came to rest on the Summoners’ star at the top of the peak, a symbol that this was their domain.
Before them the path narrowed to an uneven trail that skirted along the ridge of a wide gorge. Jagged rocked jutted outward from the sides of the gorge like the mouth of a dragon and then faded into blackness, hiding whatever lurked at the bottom. How far of a drop it was, Rell couldn’t tell.
In single file, the Bringers shuffled forward, climbing over boulders that lay haphazardly across their path, hampering their progress greatly. Slippery frost clung to nearly everything, making each step they took and each rock they skirted even more hazardous.
Rell kicked a small stone over the ledge. Echoes of the rock as it bounced down the sloping gorge wall seemed to go on forever, eventually fading, but there was no sound of it hitting the bottom.
Their breath turned to frosty smoke once it hit the chilled air and thin clouds of vapor trailed the group. Rell blew into her folded hands and flexed her fingers, trying to coax warmth back into them. Magnus’s beard looked white, the rime particularly thick across his mustache. A fine layer of crystals dusted each of their shoulders. Rell lamented leaving her long cloak with the horse, though the bulky garment would have been a hindrance while crossing the tiles.
A low rumble reverberated through the caverns. The sound droned constantly, as if below the icy surface an inferno raged. Every so often the ground shifted, shaking loose parts of the gorge walls and sending an avalanche of rocks skittering down the slopes.
“Do you hear that?” Rell cocked her head. “It’s like thunder inside the caves.”
Siban nodded. “Once we passed the arch I heard it. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s a good sign. I suspect we’re getting close to where Vile awaits.”
“I sense growing peril.” Rell flexed her fingers again and shoved them into her armpits. “As well as more Bane.”
“Some of that Shield heat would be welcome right now.” Siban took her hands in his and blew, rubbing them to get the feeling back. “I wonder how long we’ve been traveling.”
“We’ve yet to stop for sleep, but I’m tired, so it could be as much as a full day already.” She shook her head. “Since returning to human and then being brought to full power, I no longer know my limitations. I guess I will find out.” They stopped behind Juna.
Juna spoke over her shoulder. “I think we are all receiving a lesson in endurance and forbearance.”
As usual, she had claimed her place behind Gregory. Siban and Rell followed directly behind her. For a long time nobody spoke, as if each felt the stirrings of things they didn’t want to alert to their passing. Constant ripples of warning spooled back to Rell whenever she sent her Tell to search yards ahead. The danger was building, drawing closer. Or was it them who closed in on the menace? Was Vile the only threat, or were there unimaginable perils awaiting their arrival?
The bite of the Bane had changed from a painful to an almost seductive scratching that left her feeling violated. She rubbed her arms, trying to chase away the chill stealing through her. She spoke to Siban’s back. “Something isn’t right.”
“I feel it too, but I can’t pinpoint what.”
They rounded a corner and the trail spread out to form a wide ledge. Now instead of a single path, there were three, each branching in a different direction. Gregory approached the first corridor, peering into the darkness. “Magnus and I will scout this passage. Stay here until we return.”
With swords drawn, the two men entered the opening. A couple of yards in the darkness swallowed them. The dim light of Gregory’s glowb sparked and then grew. Rell watched until both men had rounded a bend and disappeared. As usual, Juna paced at the entrance, occasionally peering down the dark tunnel. The minutes ticked by and still Gregory and Magnus didn’t return. Rell tried not to show her growing concern as their absence lengthened.
In an effort to divert her attention, she walked to the beginning of another trail that led in a straight, open path across the ravine. On the left the cavern wall extended upward into darkness. To her right was a straight drop to what was probably the bottom of the gorge. The trail was barely one person wide, but in her opinion, seemed by far the safest route. She stared along the skinny path. It may seem hazard-free but she was learning things were not always what they appeared.
The seductive scratch of the Bane increased. She turned and opened her mouth to say something to Siban, but Gregory appeared from the dark passage.
Juna spun and looked at him and then back down the tunnel. “Where is Magnus?”
“Exploring another passage. He’ll join us in a few minutes.” Gregory walked to the trailhead and stood next to Rell. “That passage leads to a drop-off. There is no way to traverse the path.” He pointed across the open trail. “It appears this is our only choice.”
Instantly Rell was on alert. She stared at Gregory. Perhaps it was the way he spoke or his mannerisms, but something seemed off about him. Her Tell skated over him, trying to decipher what was different, but could not identify anything specific.
Siban inched forward, his eyes locking with hers. “Rell, come walk beside me.”
His burning stare told her he felt it, too. Brita moved forward to stand beside Siban. “Perhaps we should wait until Magnus returns, Gregory.” She paused. “In case we run into anymore Bane.”
Gregory smirked. “They haven’t been a problem for us as of yet.”
“But the demon at the arch nearly killed you.” Brita pressed her hands over her heart. “We must be cautious.”
“But I was victorious.” Gregory held his arms wide, his words confirming the deception unfolding before them. “Magnus will catch up.”
Trying not to make any sudden movements, Rell took a slow step toward Siban, but Gregory’s hand shot out and gripped her arm. “Where are you going?” He pulled her toward him. The familiar darkness swamped her, fastening to her like thick molasses. “I said we travel this path.”