He could still remember the smell of their burning, rotting flesh, and the sound of Esmyra’s voice screaming for him as they’d fought to survive.
“Those monsters are real?!” Ren shouted out from behind them.
“When Esmyra and I were down here, these things dropped down from the ceiling by the hundreds. Maybe even thousands.” Draevyn’s eyes drifted upward as he lifted his flame higher, and everyone’s wary eyes followed. “We had to burn our way through them, and even then, we nearly didn’t make it out.”
The crew muttered under their breath, their wide eyes darting to the carcasses as the stench of ash and rot clung in the air.
Draevyn’s gaze swept over them. “We’re close,” he admitted. “So be on alert and keep your blades ready.”
“How much farther?” Jak muttered.
“Maybe another half mile. Perhaps less.” Draevyn let out a breath. “If nothing else has changed, this will lead to an old temple. And from there we can make our way to the castle.”
Several nods and whispered ayes were the only answer he received before turning on his heel to head back through.
Eventually, the air shifted, feeling less damp against his skin. Ahead, the faint glow of merlights illuminated the far end of the passage.
The temple.
He turned to them and pressed a finger to his lips, giving them a knowing look.
As they crept forward, he realized it was no longer as it had oncebeen. Where ruin and collapse had once reigned was now stone rebuilt. The closer they drew, the clearer it became. The columns were repaired, barnacles and moss scrubbed from the walls as their pearlescent sheen shone brightly in the teal light.
Draevyn tucked them against the shadows at the mouth of the passage, his flame doused in his palm as Atlas's shadows stretched out like living smoke, concealing them.
They crouched low, watching.
Several guards ringed the temple’s outer steps, the tips of their spears gleaming. There was a dozen at least on this side alone. Maybe more.
Draevyn glanced sideways to find his brother’s eyes were already on him. They shared a smirk, already knowing what the other was thinking.
“No need to tire out the crew,” Atlas murmured, his voice laced with cold amusement.
Draevyn nodded once, his jaw setting. “Couldn’t agree more.”
He turned to Jak. “Keep the crew hidden until I say otherwise.”
“That’s bullshit,” Jak shot back.
Draevyn’s eye twitched.
Jak must’ve sensed the shift in him, because without another word he was giving a curt nod. “Aye.”
And then the brothers moved.
Together, they stepped out from the passage, beyond the cloak of darkness. Draevyn brought two fingers to his lips and loosed a sharp, piercing whistle that split the air, the sound echoing across the temple.
Every guard’s head snapped toward them, stiffening at the sight of flame and shadow.
The whistle lingered, and for a breath, there was silence. Then came the shouting, followed by the thunderous clang of steel striking stone as several of them drove the pommels of their spears against the floor.
“Intruders!” one of them bellowed. “Tell Azarian!”
Absolutely fucking not.
Theguards raced forward, weapons raised, but Draevyn’s stare held on the male running toward the exit.
The fire in his chest surged like a second heartbeat, and his chin tilted slightly toward the fleeing man.
