“I don’t know.” Caleb waited for the world around them to stop trembling before calling out again.
Ava tried the radio. “There’s no response. I think it’s damaged.”
The news was disturbing. The blast had taken out their only means of communication.
“Larabee!” Caleb called out again, still without response.
“Where’s Shadow?” The panic in Ava’s voice was apparent.
Caleb had lost his flashlight in the wreckage.
A dog’s whimper came from close by followed by movement. Shadow inched closer to Ava.
Caleb did a cursory exam. There didn’t appear to be any damage to the dog.
A series of low rumbles continued to haunt the tunnel.
“We’ve got to get out of here before this whole place collapses.” Caleb rose unsteadily. He tried first one leg and then the other before being satisfied he wasn’t injured. “Can you stand?” he still held her hand.
“I’m not sure. I think so.”
Caleb helped her to her feet. “Anything broken?”
Ava did a test and told him no. “Let’s get out of here.”
He kept her hand in his as they started with the dog back down the tunnel. When they’d taken only a few steps another series of rumbles had Caleb reaching to cover Ava with his body.
Shadow whimpered when the ceiling of the tunnel rained down rocks striking them.
“We’ve got to go back.” He clutched Ava’s hand and blindly ran with Shadow. The darkness around them was impenetrable. The air thick and choking.
The noise behind them became deafening as more of the ceiling sloughed off. The world around them rumbled and rolled. Caleb lost his footing and hit the ground with Ava. He became aware of Shadow doing his best to cover Ava’s body. He tugged her and the dog close. Covering them as best he could.
Caleb ducked his head as the thundering around them continued and he prayed this wouldn’t be the end.
Chapter Fourteen
The Trap Beneath
These mountains seemed to breathe as if they were living entities.
He’d felt their rhythm through the walls many times. They vibrated like they were breathing. The lantern flame beside him trembled with each of his movements.
She was smart, figuring out his breadcrumbs, but they would never be able to figure out his identity. He knew these tunnels better than anyone. He’d developed an intricate system to lead him back to his ice castle high above the lake.
The rumblings of his latest clue continued to rock the earth at his feet.
She’d betrayed him before. Taken his honor and threw it in his face. Her blood tie ran deep, much like her will to survive. She’d survive this new test, he had little doubt.
And when she walked out of the mine shaft, she’d see it wasn’t her he’d designed the explosion for.
If she were up to this latest challenge perhaps he’d reconsider and bring her back into the fold.
Wax smiled faintly at the prospect. He reached the ladder he’d placed that would help him move past the blockages seamlessly.
He listened closely. The last of the aftershocks were finished. Soon, her people would begin the search for survivors.
Once he reached the upper level, he lifted the ladder and carried it to the next exit site. Here in this part of his sanctuary, candles flickered low around the edges of the chamber, their flames painting liquid gold across dozens of waxen faces of his precious ones. Silent witnesses frozen in agony and reverence.
