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The tunnel itself was dimly lit. But that light disappeared about three feet in. I rolled my shoulders, wishing I could create my own ball of light. But Entaris had warned us to be careful when using magic down here. He’d said any disruption in the power levels would draw the attention of all different kinds of nasties. As much as I would like to waltz in here fully warded, with my hand lit up with my power, I couldn’t risk it.
Darkness stretched out before me. I popped the ring out of my mouth, and strode down the corridor.
A few minutes later, I wasn’t feeling any more settled. But I could see the glow of more light ahead. Slowing my pace, I cupped the ring in my hand, ready to stuff it back into my mouth if I needed to.
By the time I was just a few steps from the end of the corridor, I was so tense my muscles hurt. Taking a single step into the room, I froze.
Kyla had obviously been here. I wasn’t sure what the creatures had been before they attacked, but now they lay in pieces, clawed apart. A hunk of white fur was all that had been left behind.
I studied the scene. The creatures had likely dropped down from the ceiling. She’d carved through them within moments.
Well, since Kyla had taken care of this trap, I could continue walking. Even with the evidence of her capabilities, I couldn’t help but worry.
Pushing open the next door, I broke into a jog, making my way down the next long corridor. This one curved to the right, and I slowed to a walk as I followed it, until I was standing in the next chamber.
My eyes met Kyla’s.
Something tight in my chest unfurled, and my eyes stung.
Alive. She was alive. Unfortunately, she was also bound to a huge wooden pole in the middle of the room. The thick ropes were wrapped around her arms and legs, and from the way her hands had begun to lose color, they’d tightened as she’d attempted to break free.
“What the fuck did you think you were doing?” I demanded.
She rolled her eyes. “Can we go over this later? I’m a little…tied up.”
“Cute.” I stepped toward her and studied the ropes.
“You can’t use your magic,” Kyla said. “Remember?”
“Those ropes are magically reinforced. Otherwise, you’d be free by now.”
From the sour look on her face, she’d been attempting to cut through them for hours.
I pulled my Applegate-Fairbairn fighting knife and tried to slice through one of the coils holding her leg in place.
“I shifted my claws,” she said. “Nothing will get through the rope.”
“Then we have to use my magic. You’ve been here for too long. Besides, if your claws can’t get through it and my knives can’t get through it, we have no other options.”
“Fine.” She turned her head and stared at the wall. I scowled. How the fuck wasKylamad right now?
Iwas the one everyone had lied to.
We didn’t have time for hurt feelings. If we were going to get out of this alive, I had to keep my head in the game.
Pulling in a deep breath, I studied the ropes and reached for my power. It immediately responded, as if it had been waiting for this moment. The ropes were seelie magic. I didn’t know how I knew that, but it was as if being in this realm made it easier for me to reach for that thread of power. I grabbed the rope curling over Kyla’s shoulder and focused. I had no idea what I was doing, but I pictured the rope dissolving in that spot until it snapped.
“It’s working,” Kyla said.
“I can see that.”
She clamped her mouth shut, and guilt panged through me. There was no need to be an asshole.
“Why did you even bother coming after me?” she gritted out.
“We made a deal.”
Her silence spoke louder than any words. I ground my teeth. “I need to focus for this to work.”
