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I tuned out Tank and stared at the design on the gate. I traced a finger along the curve of the metal that branched out in vines with thorns, like the cloaks I bought for Dawn and Snow. I had seen this image in my recent dream. These vines and thorns called to me, but I couldn’t imagine why.
We passed through thick wooden doors, impossible for a human to open. A breeze brushed against my skin and I sucked in air. This dank place gave me chills. Vines with thorns snaked along the ground, the walls, and the ceiling, like the image on the gate—as if to say stay out.
“What in the heavens are those?” Tank stepped over the threshold.
“No need to worry. They’re harmless. Think of them like embellishments.” Gorgo chuckled nervously, taking slow steady steps over the vine toward the stone casket set in the back.
One thing’s for sure … decorations should not move. Or slither like snakes. Should not pulsate like a heartbeat.
The walls seemed to close in. Any second the vines would fold in on us and the thorns would pierce every inch of our bodies. Torture beyond imagining. No—stay calm. I couldn’t let this place sense my fear. I focused on the torches set in each corner instead as I treaded over the tendrils. Tank and Otis followed behind me.
This better not be a trap.
When I told Gorgo to take me to Victus, I also told him my plan for how angels, demons, and vampires should work together for our common goal. He had agreed. But I might change my mind after I meet the vamp king. He might turn out to be an asshole.
Gorgo pushed the casket’s top. The stone-on-stone grinding noise pierced through the air. The cool breeze carrying human blood stench filled my nostrils. But what did I expect in a vampire’s lair?
I grimaced and cringed. The image of the three female vamps draining the man’s life at No Man’s Pub came to the forefront of my mind. What would I see down there? Did I want to do this? I would likely see horrible things I could never unsee.
As light from the lanterns shone below, stone steps leading downward became visible.
“You want us to go in there?” Tank shook his head. “It smells like death. I’d rather pet a squampire.”
“There’s one right there.” Otis pointed to the wall behind Tank.
“Ssi-bal!” Tank squealed and whirled behind me.
His arm hit my back and he nearly knocked me down the stairs. I narrowed my eyes and shook a finger at Otis. If Snow were here, she would have grabbed the boy’s ears. My heart hurt. I missed Snow so much. Zander and Dawn too.
Gorgo hiked an eyebrow and shook his head.
Tank glared at Otis and cleared his throat. “Would you like me to go down first?”
“No,” I said with the voice of a leader. “Gorgo will lead us. And why here? Don’t they have a front door to a palace?”
“I don’t know the front entrance.” Gorgo shrugged. “Nobody does except for his people. And as you can see, I’m not a vampire. This is my only means of getting to him. But if you’d rather leave then I’ll understand, but you’re the one who asked for the king. And now that we’ve opened the casket, he knows I’m here.”
My skin crawled with a sensation I couldn’t decipher. Not fear. Certainly not excitement. But not all feelings could be described in words. They just existed.
I sighed. “Fine. Go.”
Gorgo gave me a curt nod and descended. I followed behind, one step at a time. I motioned for Tank to go next. He took a deep breath and raised a foot to take the first stair when air whooshed past me and pushed Tank back. Not hard, but enough for him to stumble backward.
I halted. “Gorgo. What’s going on?”
Tank tried again, but the same thing happened. Then Otis shoved Tank aside and with a smug grin, he took the first step successfully, but then he got tossed harder. Tank grabbed his arm just in time or he would have crashed against the wall.
Gorgo shoved his palms to his face, then looked up. “It appears that Tank and Otis are not welcome.”
“What?” the three of us said at the same time.
Gorgo opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, then opened, then closed again, clearly having a difficult time in explaining the situation.
Before we left the cavern to come here, Tank, Otis, and I had discussed the location of our temporary home in Noroot—the barn near the No Man’s Pub where they were captured. And I debated whether to tell them to go home and wait for my return.
But I couldn’t tell them to leave. Every time our group went our separate ways, something bad seemed to happen.
The boys not being invited only meant I should have followed my instincts and not have come here. But should I listen to that voice that suddenly tugged at me and screamed not to see Victus? I had no choice. I needed more allies.
