Finn’s eyes flicked towardme, steady and resigned. “Too late, then.” He raised an eyebrow, a clear challenge. I nodded once, acknowledging defeat, and dropped his hand. I let out a frustrated sigh.
Okay. But you are out of this maze before the end. You promise me that.
I promise,he signed.
I tugged at one of the askew shoulder guards.Where did you get the armor?
My friend Marcus. He is a Turned blacksmith. He gave me these when I told him I needed something.
He reached into his pack and pulled out a dense, greasy-looking bar and a waterskin.Here, have this pemmican. You need to eat and drink.
He pressed it into my hands with a look that said he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I bit into it; it was rich and savory, with a hint of dried berries. It tasted divine after choking down all those ration bars. I handed him my vial of blood wine.
As I ate, he drank and explained his rat scouts and his mapping strategy. The familiar cadence of being together settled over me.
Yet underneath, something grew deeper between us in every accidental brush of fingers and the way he stood too close. My eyes kept finding him even when I should have been watching the shadows.
What else did you learn about the maze?I asked him.
Thewalls shift every fifteen minutes. Rats get confused when passages change, but they alert me if danger is ahead and remember general directions.He pulled out a pocket watch and gestured to the rodents scurrying around us.They know where some of the traps are.
Okay. The plan is simple: Stay alive and take out as many enemies as we can.
He nodded and patted his bag.I have more food if you need it.
We mapped our route while Finn’s rat scouts reported back. Minutes later, their squeaking changed pitch, becoming higher and faster.
Danger coming,Finn signed.We should move.
Chapter 13
Sidney
The rats led us through the maze, their tiny bodies navigating passages I would have missed because of the shadows. Boris’s claws clicked on the stone behind us, a reassuring rhythm in the darkness. Several times, the rats alerted us to pressure plates to avoid.
Ahead is a Beloved with a single devotee,Finn signed.
I nodded.We will sneak up and take them by surprise.
After your lead.He winked. Nibbles ran into a crack in the wall.I told Nibs to stay hidden so he does not get hurt.
I nodded, then peeked around the corner. A woman with a delicately upturned nose stood with her back to us as she peered down the left corridor. Her devotee stood flush against her spine, his eyes fixed on the hallway to the right. I caught Finn’s eye and pointed to myself, then to the vampiress. I pointed to him, then to the male. He gave me a thumbs-up.
I moved first, my boots silent on the stone, and cast my nullification over the devotee. His face went slack, confusion washing over him as my magic took effect. The Belovedturned, her eyes widening. My dagger opened her throat before she raised her weapon.
Yet she didn’t fall. With one hand clamping over the wound, she swiped with her nails. I ducked. Behind me, metal clashed as Finn engaged the devotee.
The vampiress lunged. I pivoted, my blade slicing deep into her side. She barely reacted. Her gaze locked on to mine, and the air thickened with her magic. My body lifted, legs dangling, chest crushed by invisible pressure.
As the rupture activated, her magic faltered, and I dropped hard, my knees cracking as they met the stone first. Her movements slowed, and she stumbled. I pushed to my feet, driving my dagger through her heart with all my strength.
Finn’s opponent was already down, a pool of blood spreading beneath him.
I cleaned my dagger and reapplied rupture, my hands still shaking from the adrenaline.
With a raised eyebrow, Finn signed quickly,What is that?
I held up the blade.Poison.
