We reach the steps quickly, and Weston takes them first, his head poking through the portal in the ground just enough to make sure we aren’t about to be ambushed. I hold my breath until he sinks back down into safety.
“There’s no one waiting, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t hiding. Be prepared for an ambush and drop back into the portal. We’re going to do this fast.”
I nod, and he draws his sword, the sing of the blade echoing in the tunnel. I lift my bow off my chest and pull an arrow from the quiver, nocking it and raising it to the ready. Hopefully, I can get to anyone before they make it to him. I’m not taking any chances.
He peeks out of the portal again, looking around before climbing the last steps and disappearing. Running up the stairs behind him, I burst through the portal, not wanting to leave him uncovered for long. The darkness of the forest makes it even more difficult to see in the already pitch black night. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust so I can see things clearly, still holding my bow up and ready to fire.
The area before us is empty; not a hint of Roley in sight.
“I told him to wait near the bridge. Maybe he is closer to it.”
“Quickly,” Weston says, peering into the trees as we take the path toward the bridge. The island is silent, the only sound the rush of water in the canyon alongside us, and it feels eerie, like at any moment the world will explode with danger.
No. We’re just here to get Roley. Then we’re going home.
The entrance to the bridge appears just ahead and Weston slows his steps. I match his pace so I don’t walk past him, keeping my bow out in front, ready to pull back. Looking around, everything looks undisturbed. There’s nothing, no sign of Roley at all.
“Lennox,” Weston says warily. “I don’t think he’s coming.”
“No, he has to. He told me he would.” Worry fills me as I look around for him, hoping he didn’t choose to stay, or worse, let someone know about the plan.
“Roley!” I call out, my voice a coarse whisper, hoping he is just hiding.
Footsteps shuffle in the dirt as a small shadow appears ahead, emerging from the edge of the trees.
“Lennox?” Roley says weakly and steps out onto the path in front of us.
Relief floods through me as I take him in.
He came.
I lower my bow, pointing the arrow to the ground when movement catches in the corner of my eye. Weston stiffens and takes a step forward, using his body to shield me as someone larger emerges from the trees, just in front of Roley.
“So, you must be Weston.”
Mara.
Weston pulls the other sword from his back, knees bending, ready for an attack. I level my bow at her, pulling the string taught and taking aim.
Fuck.
He told them, or he was followed. I risk a glance at the trees, as my breaths heave. Where is Dane? Are there others here? It is too dark. I can’t see if we are surrounded, trapped against the monster filled river and not close enough to a portal.
My shoulders tighten as my training kicks in. Situations with multiple attackers start cycling through my mind. I know Weston feels it, too. I can tell by the way his body leans slightly toward me.
“Lower your bow, Lennox!” Mara calls out.
“Not a chance!” I yell back.
“I’m serious Lennox, lower it!”
“I don’t feel like a knife to the back again, Mara.”
She knows I can make the shot. I’ve proven it to her already, but I will not do anything to put him or me at risk. I won’t let my guard down again.
My ears strain, trying to pick up any sound of Voyagers approaching from behind, all while keeping my eyes locked on Mara. Her sword hangs at her side, not drawn like she normally travels, and a feeling of unease runs through me.
She takes a step forward and Weston does too, angling himself further in front of me with her advance.
