Chapter Nineteen
Beneath the Silence
Something like a whining sound penetrated the thick black fog surrounding him.
Caleb murmured something unintelligible as the darkness called him back competing with the bracing cold that had him shivering.
The whining continued, joined by something wet against his cheek. Caleb fought to open his eyes. He looked up into the face of the Malinois who was standing over him.
“Shadow.” Caleb tried to make sense of what he was witnessing. Why was Shadow licking his face...and then those final seconds emerged from the fog. The gas that had been pumped inside. Ava had been reaching for him when they’d both tumbled into the darkness.
And now Shadow was trying to get his attention.
Caleb sat up quickly. The world spun and the cottony darkness threatened. He closed his eyes and waited for it to pass before opening them again.
He looked around the space. Others were waking up. Where was Ava?
He searched those around him and the horrifying truth became clear. She was gone.
Caleb rose unsteadily. “He has her.”
Several people focused on him, confused.
“Who?” Novak managed.
“Ava. Wax has her.”
Soon, Caleb’s fear bled through the fog and they were on their feet.
“How?” Novak looked around as if expecting Wax to appear with Ava.
“I don’t know, but there was obviously a hidden door leading to an escape passage. We have to find it.”
Caleb started for the closest wall and began pressing all around. Shadow went back to the place where he’d been before the gas.
Where are you?Panic set in. He couldn’t lose her like this.
He has something.
Ava had been convinced the dog had picked up Wax’s scent near the wall.
Shadow returned to paw at the same spot. Caleb’s frustration grew until he saw it. “Everyone, back up.” He grabbed Shadow’s lead and tugged him away from the spot on the floor that was offset from the rest. Dirt that had once covered the opening was now piled up on the backside. “Down there.”
“Another trap door. That’s how he got her out of here.” Jace knelt and examined it. “The only question is how to open it.”
There had to be a way.
Caleb retrieved his flashlight and focused on the floor. Then he saw it. Against the wall something caught the light. “Is that some type of lever?”
Harper leaned closer. “It is.” She glanced up at Caleb.
Everyone stood back.
“Ready?” Jace pulled the lever and waited.
A second later the spot on the floor in question dropped down on its hinges revealing more stairs.
Shadow pulled free of Caleb’s grasp and charged down them.
