Page 177 of Serpent and Shadow

Arcturus let out a low scoff.

He didn’t take his eyes off the opening door.

Caelum followed his stare to a shadowy form that had just walked through the opening in the iron bars, something clutched tightly to their chest. Whoever it was, they didn’t close the door. They just left it wide open, and walked cautiously forward, taking slow, careful steps across the damp stone. They moved almost like they were afraid.

Caelum frowned, watching the figure approach.

He opened his mouth, about to say something, probably something rude, if only to get them to answer back, but something made him hesitate. Before he could make up his mind, something leapt out of the shadowy figure’s arms. The bundle Bones had see them carrying by the door came alive and began running across the floor in his direction.

It bounded right past the light fox, which was still wagging its fiery tail. It reminded Caelum of a puppy that wanted to play. It barked and pranced sideways and went down on its chest, its front paws stretched forward.

The taller dark shape was closer now.

When Caelum looked up at him that time, he flinched.

“Fuck,” he blurted, without thought.

Just then, Arcturus lit his candle using the lighter he’d brought with him from the Sanctum. The wick fell and the flame guttered and almost went out, then flared higher and lit up more of the dark space.

Bones never took his eyes off the newcomer.

“Alaric.” He stared up at him in shock.

Then the other creature landed in his lap, and Bones looked down.

Pain stabbed him right in the chest.

“Is that… is that a cat?” Arcturus asked, incredulous.

The feline looked over sharply at the kid’s voice.

It looked up at Caelum next, and let out a plaintive meow. Caelum stared back at those green eyes, and suddenly, he was certain he was going to be sick.

“Wraith,” he said, choking a little on the name. He gathered her up in his arms. “What are you doing here, you dum-dum? This isn’t any place for a cat.” He hugged her to his chest and rubbed her ears. His eyes returned to Alaric, who was staring at him like he couldn’t believe he was alive, or maybe like he couldn’t believe he’d found him.

“Where’s Leda?” Bones asked, sharper.

Wraith meowed again, and climbed higher on Bones’s chest.

She pressed her face into his neck and chest and purred. She meowed again after he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her to his chest. He wished he spoke cat, because he strongly suspected she was trying to tell him exactly how she and Alaric had gotten there.

Then again, maybe he didn’t want to know.

Alaric came up to him then, and knelt down.

Bones frowned when he saw Alaric staring at the collar around his neck.

“I haven’t seen her,” Alaric said, still staring at the collar. “Thoth’s beak, it’s exactly like she said. I can practically feel the magic coming off that thing.”

His voice came out rushed, but emotion trembled the edges of it, like he was half-choking on the words. “I made a second talisman, an invisibility one, I mean. Even so, I can’t believe I got down here so easily.” He glanced over his shoulder at the open door, and frowned. “I’d rather get this off you here, but I think we’d better go first?”

“Get it off me.” Bones stared at him. “Go where? I can’t go anywhere, Alec––”

“You have to,” Alaric cut in, his voice harder, but also verging on breaking. “You absolutely have to this time, Cal. I won’t hear another word about ‘can’t’ or ‘won’t.’ You’re not saving her, don’t you see that?” At Caelum’s silence, Alaric’s jaw tightened. He glanced at Arcturus, then back at Caelum’s face. “They attacked the school tonight. From what I’ve managed to find out, they’ve captured half of our graduating class.”

His eyes met Caelum’s and brightened.

His mouth remained stubbornly hard.