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“Yes, I have come here with Victor. They move so they aren’t discovered. But yes, I have been here, even lived in these tunnels when I was younger,” I tell him while navigating through them. I can sense their shock and guilt through the bond. However, I pay no mind to them. Instead, I look for the ribbon markers that are set high on the walls to show the way. This is life for so many; it’s about time they realize their people’s hardships. After about twenty minutes, the tunnels start widening and opening up, and there’s light ahead when a voice sings out.

“Password or I shoot.”

“Aloe vera,” I call out, hoping they still used the same one.

“Elora?”

“Yep” I call out, recognizing the voice.

“Max?” I ask, walking forward and stepping into the light. Under the lights, plants grow even Weed, but that’s not what I’m here for.

“Elora, what are you doing bringing them here?” Max says, raising his gun. I grab the barrel pointing it at the floor. Max used to work for Victor, so I have known him for a while, I honestly thought he was dead. Although working here clearly benefited him, he has filled out more and is no longer scrawny. His cheeks are fuller and even his brown hair is washed and his clothes.

“We need medicine; I have money,” I tell him when the clear film curtain opens and a man stalks out to see what’s going on, instantly raising his gun.

I put my hands up and Silas growls loudly at the gun being pointed at me. “We mean no harm, we just need herbs,” I tell him. He has dark skin the color of mocha and green eyes with a shaved head. He lowers his gun but eyes the Dragon Kings. I hold my hand out to Silas.

“Give me the coins.”

Silas hands them over.

“Her only,” the man says, and all three Dragon Kings growl. He raises the gun again. It won’t kill them, but I know it will hurt and probably get everyone here killed if he fires it. Realizing that himself, he lowers it. I step forward, walking through the curtain, the entire place looking like a greenhouse inside. Lights run off a generator hanging above the pots of plants and the smell of herbs is strong enough to drown out the pungent smells of the tunnel.

“I need medicinal herbs.”

The man nods, showing me what he has left.

“All of them, I can get more if needed,” I tell him, showing him the coins, which make his eyes grow wide. He nods and helps me wrap them in paper. Coming out, I see my Dragons waiting, leaning against the wall except Silas who is glaring as I emerge.

He tugs me to him as soon as I am in reach. Max and the other man step back with their hands up. Silas growls, stepping forward.

“I want you to move this above ground. If I have a place set up can you move it above ground and supply the pharmacies and the people?” he asks. Both men look shocked for a second.

“I will be open to being robbed above ground, and this costs money, and I need the lights to grow. It is too cold,” he tells him.

“Power is on, and I will cover any costs, just move it above ground, and as for security, we can make the place secure.”

The man seems to think for a second, quickly nodding.

“I can try. I need to organize people to move it, that takes time.”

“I will send help.”

The man nods, holding out his hand. “Deal,” Silas grabs his hand, shaking it before putting his hand on my back and pushing me toward the way we came. All of them follow me through the maze of tunnels.

“How do you know where you’re going?” Matitus asks.

I point to the bricks, “Every intersecting tunnel will have a ribbon showing the way,” I tell them, showing them the next one by pointing to the corner above our heads.

When we find the tunnel we came out of, I climb the ladder. Hopping out, I am yanked out by someone. A menacing growl comes from behind me as an arm rips me from the drain and tosses me. Dragus jumps out and tackles the man, who is actually a human. Dragus claws cutting through his neck as he swipes at him. I rush to my feet, running over trying to stem the man’s bleeding.

“What are you doing?” Dragus yells at me for trying to help the man.

“He would have been trying to rob me not kill me, he is human!” I yell, only it is too late, the man is gurgling and choking on his own blood when he stops breathing. I shake my head standing up.

“But he was going to rob you?” Dragus says, and I can feel their eyes on me.

“Yes, because they are forced to; this is what happens when there isn’t enough to go around. He isn’t the monster here. The Vamps are. He would have robbed me; Vamps would have killed me the same as the Lycans when they break into the city, not the humans,” I tell him and Dragus looks at our mates.