Eventually, the tunnel stopped descending and evened out. I kept waiting for it to rise again as it often did, but it remained level for another couple hundred feet before the tunnel widened so much I couldn’t see the walls or ceiling anymore.
What now?
I stepped closer to Mouse and Ellery as a new scent mingled with the rich aroma of the earth. It took me a bit to realize the smell of rocks was stronger through here, and it blended with something muskier, like an animal.
The airflow intensified in this area. It still wasn’t a breeze, but it was clear we’d entered a cavernous space, as nothing restricted the currents.
I increased the sparks on my left hand, the one furthest from Mouse, as Ellery did the same with her right hand. Together, we lifted our arms to illuminate more of the space.
The glow lit up where we stood at the end of the tunnel and part of the cavern beyond. Despite our increased light, it was almost impossible to make out much of what lay beyond.
I glanced at Ellery, who was looking at me with curiosity and apprehension. We might have finally found the way out… or maybe it was the end.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
Ellery
As we edged forward,our light revealed a little more of the space around us, but not enough. Judging by the airflow, it was a massive space with a temperature barely above freezing.
Mouse’s teeth chattered so loudly they might block out any other sounds. I pulled him closer as I ran my hand up and down his arms while he huddled against me.
On his other side, Ryker gave him some warmth too, but it wasn’t enough. If we didn’t get him out of here soon, Mouse would freeze, and I wouldn’t be far behind him.
When Ryker looked at me, he waved a hand to indicate he would step away. He released Mouse and took a few steps before kneeling to place his hand on the ground.
A bolt of lightning shot from the earth and crashed into the stone ceiling above us. The impact caused bits of stone dust to break free; it peppered us after the lightning vanished.
It was only a brief flash, but it revealed the horror surrounding us. Mouse whimpered and huddled further into me as Ryker rose and turned back to me.
Amazement etched his features as our gazes met. I had no idea what to make of the cavern we’d entered, but the shivers wracking me weren’t just from the cold.
Ryker edged toward us while I held my breath in anticipation of a rustling, creaking, or growl, indicating the monstrous creatures surrounding us were coming to life. The flap of their wings would give a warning when they swooped down to devour us.
My hand tightened on Mouse’s thin arms. I wouldn’t let them have the boy.
As the seconds ticked by, nothing stirred. There was no scrape of claws, no click to indicate jaws opening, and no murderous clack of teeth as the creatures prepared to pounce.
There was nothing other than the settling of the falling pieces of stone against the dirt floor. And once it stopped, all that remained was the crackle of our light.
“Where are we?” I breathed.
“I don’t know,” Ryker answered. “Did you see the pathway?”
His lightning had revealed a pathway alongside the monsters. “Yes. It winds up and through them, but I’m not sure to what.”
His bolt had faded too fast to reveal much.
“Neither am I,” he said, “but up might be our only way out.”
Up and past thosethingsall sitting, waiting, andwatching. “Or back.”
“I’m going to send another bolt up; keep your eyes on the pathway to see where it leads.”
“I will.”
When he knelt and sent up another flash of lightning, I skipped over the monstrosities this time and focused on the pathway. I only got about halfway up before the light vanished.
“Do it again,” I said as more stones rained down around us.
