"I don't know." He captured her hand again, his fingers so warm compared to hers. "Let's continue."
They stepped past the broken stakes and the pressure plate and continued down the tunnel. The flame imp kept its distance, hovering a good twenty feet away. Muted light fanned across the walls, enough to see but not clearly. She kept the flashlight's beam trained on the ground, just in case Cordell had more trip wires waiting.
The sound of water splashing became clearer. It seemed quite strong—a stream more than just water dripping off damp rocks. The cold was increasing, reaching icy fingers through her skin to chill her bones.
She shivered, wishing she'd worn something warmer than a cotton sweater.
They rounded the curve in the tunnel. Ahead was a heavily padlocked wooden door. The flame imp hovered above it, but its color was still dark, and it was difficult to see.
Rodeman?She asked.
Behind the door.He stopped, eyeing it with a frown. This is too easy.
Maybe Cordell is simply overconfident.Even as she spoke the words, she knew they weren't true.
Cordell wasn't a fool. Angry and somewhat demented, yes, but no fool. There would be traps waiting here somewhere.
Maybe. Wait here.
He released her hand. She bit her lip and fought the instinctive urge to reach for him again, to tell him not to leave her. Instead, she clenched her fingers and felt the tingle of energy flow across her skin. Tension rode his shoulders as he tested each step. But he reached the door without incident, and she sighed in relief.
Rodeman's inside. Drugged, by the feel of it.He skimmed his fingers across the door frame.
Anyone, or anything, else?
Not that I can see. You?
Nothing.And it didn't feel right. It had been far too easy to get this far. There had to be some sort of trap here somewhere. Had to be.
She again rubbed her arms. The chill air had settled deep inside, and her bones were beginning to ache.
Michael finished his inspection then reached for the door handle. Turning it quickly, he thrust his shoulder against the wood, shattering the lock and pushing the door open. Kinetic ability was somewhat superfluous when you had the strength of a vampire, she thought. He squatted on his heels, studying the ground.
She moved up behind him. The cell wasn't dark. A lone candle sat in one corner. In the wash of its flickering light she could see the end of a metal-framed bed and a foot encased in a shiny leather shoe. A rope was looped around his ankle and tied to the bed.
Rodeman. He hadn't moved, so he had to be either drugged or unconscious. She shivered, hoping that
Elizabeth hadn't paid him a visit like she had Matthew.
Heat tingled across her skin. She glanced up. The flame imp hovered several feet above her, its color pulsing between blue and red. Did that mean that danger waited for them? She wasn't sure, and it worried her. She wished Ginger was here to translate.
Can you see anything?
I'm not sure.He hesitated. There is magic here somewhere—I can feel the tingle of it across my skin. But I'm not sure where or what it is.
He leaned sideways and scooped up a handful of stones, then tossed them one by one into the cell.
Nothing happened.
Maybe the trigger needs something heavier.
Probably. I guess we have no other option, then.He rose and gave her a quick hard kiss. Remember me if something happens.
She glared at him. That is not funny.
Sorry.He shrugged, then brushed the hair from her eyes, his fingers warm against her chilled skin. Don't you move until I say it's okay—okay?
She nodded. Whether she obeyed or not was another matter entirely. It depended on what happened.
He stepped into the cell, then stopped, looking around. She could see his tension in the set of his shoulders, feel it thundering through the link.
He took a second step. No sound, no soft click, no rush of evil to indicate something wicked was headed their way. But her hands were clenched so hard her knuckles were beginning to ache.
Rodeman has been drugged. His pulse has a sluggish feel.
And the magic you sensed?
Close by somewhere.
Be careful, please
Warmth flashed through the link. Don't worry. I'm not that easy to get rid of.
He took another step forward. It was one step too many. Without warning, the ground disappeared, and
Michael dropped like a stone into the darkness.
Chapter Twenty
Michael!She lunged forward, dropping full length to the ground and peering over the hole's edge. It was so dark her flashlight barely penetrated more than a few feet. Wind rose steadily, a stream strong enough to blow her hair backwards.
Michael! Are you okay? Can you hear me?
Yes.He hesitated, and pain slithered through the link, through her. It feels like I've twisted my damn ankle.
His mind voice was distant. The hole was obviously very deep. Where are you?
God knows. I'm hip deep in water. It probably saved me from greater injury.
I'll lift you up kinetically.
No.His sharpness stung her mind. I've seen what lifting the weight of a human can do to you. Get
Rodeman and get out of the tunnels. I'll go after Cordell alone.
Michael, you can't—
Damn it, we have no choice now. I haven't survived three hundred and sixty years without being careful.
I'll be okay.
Elizabeth had been around a lot longer than that, and yet she was now under Cordell's control. What made Michael think he would fair any differently?
I'm still wearing Seline's charm, Nikki. I'll be okay. I'm more worried about leaving you alone up there.
Then forget Cordell and come back to me!
Cordell has to be my first priority. We have to stop him if we can.
I know, I know.But knowing didn't mean she had to accept it willingly. Just make sure you come back alive.
A little hard, considering I'm already dead.
She grinned. You know what I mean.
Yes.
The link flared to full life and his mind entwined hers, caressing her soul with such love and caring that tears stung her eyes. She blinked them away rapidly. She didn't want to lose him, and yet she had a feeling she might if he wasn't very careful. Damn it, she couldn't just leave him alone down there.
Somehow, she had to find him and help him.
He sighed. Don't. Look after Rodeman. I'll be okay.
But—
No buts. Promise me you'll do as I ask. I need to know you're safe so I can concentrate wholly on
Cordell.
Okay. I promise. Not to come after you until after I've made sure Rodeman is safe, she added silently.
Be careful. I'll see you later.
You'd better.She hesitated, biting her lip. Love you.
His smile shimmered through the link. And I you. Be safe, Nikki.
The link died. She rose and dusted the dirt from her shirt and jeans. Overhead, the flame imp hovered, its color still wavering between red and blue, deepening the shadows filling the cell's far corners.
"I wish you could damn well talk," she muttered. "I'd love to know what you know."
Gold flickered across the red, pulsating quickly. Maybe it could understand her, even if it couldn't talk.
Stepping around the hole, she headed towards Rodeman. The millionaire lay stretched out on the bed, his hands tied to the headboard. His color was awful—his skin looked gray and sweat beaded his forehead.