“Tiny monster,” Raine said.
“Scorpion,” Ava corrected with an eye roll.
Imsel held up the last one. “This, I am not sure.”
“It looks like a cat,” Ava said. “Should we ask the animals? They might know.”
“Aro, are there any kind of feline creatures that live in this desert that you’re aware of?”
One moment while I confer with the others.
They waited, letting the animals discuss their findings.
Yes. Pascal said he saw several when he was scouting the other day.
“Can you tell me about them?”
Bigger than Luna. Large claws and tawny fur. Predators and probably not friendly.
“Alright, I think that’s enough information.”
Casimir relayed what Aro said, mulling over his words.
“It’s obvious,” Jareth spoke. “Smallest to largest.” He held out his hand. “I’ll do it.”
“That’s too easy,” Maeryn said, but Jareth ignored her.
“What happens if we get it wrong?” Raine asked.
“I guess we’re about to find out,” Gisela murmured.
“Everyone else, back up,” Casimir said. “You’d better be right, Jareth.”
Jareth approached the wall. “You all over think things. Usually, the simplest answer is the correct one.”
Casimir stood close to Ava, his hand on her lower back, prepared to whisk her out of the way should any danger appear. His heart pounded against his ribs as he watched his brother.
Pushing his golden hair out of his face, Jareth placed each carving in order from the smallest to largest creature: the scorpion, the cat, and the Jarouki’i.
Nothing happened.
Tension was thick in the air, the cavern silent.
“I guess that didn’t—" Gisela’s voice was cut off when a click echoed above them, then a rumble.
Casimir’s eyes shot to the ceiling. The ceiling that was now moving. Lowering toward them. Thousands of spikes emerged from hidden holes as it closed in.
“Not right, not right, not right!” Raine rushed forward and removed the stones.
It didn’t stop the ceiling.
“Try another combination!” Casimir shouted.
Raine shoved the carvings into the holes, paying no attention to where they might go, the group now beginning to panic. The ceiling lowered faster.
Ava rushed forward and batted him out of the way. “Stop doing random orders. There are too many combinations and every time you get it wrong, we’re that much closer to dying!”
“There are only three objects. How many combinations could there be?” Raine retorted.
