The sounds are louder to the right, so that’s the direction I take. I don’t rush. Mama always says I go too fast and miss things.
I get to an old, thick, wooden door. There’s a square opening at the top with bars on it. Putting my foot carefully on one of the beams that go across, I hoist myself up and peer inside.
I stifle my gasp as I see Berameia’s mama. She was taken earlier by the humans. She’s strapped onto a table, sobbing quietly. An orb on a pedestal glows dimly and I hear a male curse.
‘It’s no use. I thought they had some left in them, but there’s not enough to extract anymore.’
I hear the low murmur of a male reply, but I can’t see the other person from where I am even when I crane my neck and press my cheek to the bars.
‘It’s time. I’ll have the young ones taken into the mountains. There’s a temple there where the priests are loyal. They might still have some use.’
‘The females?’ I hear the other male ask.
‘Do you want them for your fold?’
There’s a low laugh and the male speaks more loudly. ‘They’re loyal to the Underhill. They’re less use to me than they are to you.’
‘I’ll get rid of them then. The city is wound up, they think there are witches here. I’ll give them some.’
My gasp is audible.
‘What was that?’
I jump down from the door and run silently down the passage and back into the unused tunnel.
I crouch down in the dark and try not to cry. The humans of the Light are going to kill mama and the others! I have to help them!
Wiping my tears away, I begin to make my way back to them quickly. Perhaps when I tell Mama, she’ll be able to rally the others. Maybe if they know their fate, they’ll fight instead of languishing in the cells.
But as I near the opening, a shadow blocks the passage. The figure’s hand is hard as it hits me with such force that I’m thrown into the wall, the side of my head cracking against the stone.
I slide to the muddy floor, my mind in disarray. I need to get to Mama. I need…
It’s bright.I scrunch my eyes up and whimper. My head hurts.
‘There, there, little one. You’re safe,’ says a kindly male voice.
I start, sitting up and find myself staring into the face of a fae.
My eyes widen at the tall, thin male. His violet eyes are benevolent, I think.
‘You have to help me!’ I say. ‘Please! My mama and the other females and faelings of the Underhill. They were captured and taken to the Light. The humans are going to kill them!’
The fae sits back and regards me. ‘You’re of the Underhill?’
I nod vigorously despite the pain in my head.
‘Please, I need to get back home so that the fae warriors can?—’
He’s shaking his head. Why is he shaking his head?
‘Don’t you understand?’ I say. ‘The humans are going to…’
He looks so sadly at me that I stop talking.
‘No!’ I shriek.
‘Little one, I’m sorry. It’s too late.’
