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"Yes, exactly. My body weight seems to have triggered the mechanism," I confirmed and quickly continued. "I followed this tunnel and found a large hall, which branches into many other passages."
"Interesting," Alex murmured, rubbing his right earlobe as always when thinking hard about something. "Maybe there are tunnel systems like this under the whole city, and they're connected."
"That's what we're going to try to figure out tonight," I said enthusiastically.
"We? Who arewe, Myrina?" Chris wanted to know suspiciously. Edward stared at me in silence.
Now, the moment of decision had really come. From now on, there was no turning back. I had to trust Alex.
Hastily, I swallowed the lump in my throat and avoided Edward's gaze, which contained something terribly penetrating.
"We, that's a couple of women and me," I breathed almost so quietly that no one could understand me. Almost as if I were afraid the walls might have ears.
"Women? Where did you meet women? In the tunnels?" exclaimed Jack, barely able to contain his excitement. He bounced up and down on his chair excitedly, which made me smile.
"Exactly! The hall is a shelter for women and children who have fled. People, we have to help somehow," I reported, knowing that it was now my responsibility that this information did not leave the room.
"Hopefully, all of you understand how dangerous this information is. In the wrong hands, it would mean the death of many innocent people."
"Sure, Myrina," Chris promised. "We'll keep this between us." Piercingly, he looked at the other men. Jack and Alex nodded in affirmation. Edward's mind seemed to be elsewhere.
"But there is a second group of women," I reported, paying no further attention to Edward. "The group is calledthe Amazons, and they are women who train for combat just as I do."
Edward's head shot in my direction. "Amazons?" he asked to ensure he understood me correctly.
"That's what they call themselves," I confirmed. "Two of them are planning to join me tonight to explore if we can find a connection between their tunnel system and ours."
"So where exactly are their underground facilities?" asked Jack with interest.
"Better not tell us, Rina. It's safer for women. Not that any of us would willingly tell, but the less we know about the location, the better," Alex interrupted the conversation.
"You're right," Jack said quickly. "But maybe we can walk in your direction. Tell us which way to go, and we'll meet you somewhere. At least, if the direction is right and the tunnels are connected."
"Good idea," my brother now agreed.
"Everyone tries to find the other group. If it works, we can take the two women with us here. The other way around is rather difficult, as many of the escaped women are too traumatized to bear a man in their refuge," I explained. "You'll have to find a tunnel that runs southeast inside the city."
"It's a deal, sis," Chris grinned gleefully. "Then let's see if we can get together somewhere underground!"
CHAPTER 26
You only told us about one brother and one fiancé, Myrina. Why didn't you tell us about the other two men?" Maggy hissed at me. Flames seemed to blaze in her eyes, and the fire of her torch also burst forth vigorously at the same moment. Briefly, I backed away a bit. It was scary when something like that happened while walking underground through tunnel shafts, some of which were very low.The torch had surely only flared up due to a gust of wind, I tried to calm myself and at the same time ignore the musty, stagnant air.
"I'm sure Myrina has her reasons for not telling us about the other two until now," Aspasia countered, giving me an encouraging wink. I wish there was a good reason, but I couldn't admit it was based on mistrust.
"It only came up tonight," I stammered, walking behind the two Amazons, my eyes downcast.
"I can't imagine that for the life of me. What are you hiding from us?" scolded Maggy indignantly, and Aspasia looked at me doubtfully as well. "I hope for your sake that you don't let us walk into any trap here. Believe me when I say that if you do,you'll have a mighty problem with me!" she threatened, and I had to swallow hard once.
This Amazon could be frightening, even without being angry. But that's what she was now. Clearly, really angry!
"I'm sorry. You guys are right. I should have told you about Jack and Edward straight away," I admitted contritely.
"Why didn't you do it then?" Now, Aspasia asked as well.
"Because I was afraid that you might then balk at the idea of searching for the other tunnel," I lied again, feeling bad.
"Do we look to you as if anything can stop us from making plans, no matter how dangerous?" Hissed Maggy at me, and this time, I deliberately avoided eye contact.
