with ease. I turn it, and the lock clicks then pops and unlatches. The cell door moans as I open it to reveal a dark square of cave, a small, dark figure curled up on the floor on the other side.
“Madelina?!” Imi cries, rushing into the cell.
The figure looks up. At first, she looks confused, like she’s not sure whether to believe the sight. “Is it really you?” she says.
Then, when Imi wraps her arms around her sister, folds her into a tight embrace, I see the moment Madelina succumbs. Sometimes reality and fantasy don’t matter so much when you’re gifted exactly what you need. I know this.
“Imi,” Madelina rasps. “Am I dreaming?”
“No.” Imi shakes her head into her sister’s hair.
“But how?”
Imi pulls away. “It’s a long story.”
That’s about the time Madelina spots me hovering in the doorway. She startles. Begins scuttling backward.
“It’s okay, Mads.” Imi has her hands out, tentative, like she’s approaching a frightened animal. “Veda helped me find you.” She gets closer. “You’re getting out. Being set free.”
But Madelina’s shaking her head. “It’s a trap. A lie. They’ll lock you up too.” Her eyes dart to the door. “You’ve gotta get out, Imi.” She shoves her sister. “Get out of here!”
“You listen to me.” Imi regains her balance, steps closer, and crouches in front of her sister. “I know it’s been hard … Terrifying … But you have to trust me.” She takes both of Madelina’s hands in her own. “Do you see that girl behind me?” Madelina nods. “That’s Veda—the Lunalette.”
“The one you’ve been keeping watch over?”
“Yes.”
“The one in charge of the Night? The one we were told to keep locked up at all costs?”
“Same one.” Imi blows the hair off her forehead, then continues. “I helped her escape, and she brought me here to find you.”
Madelina seems to consider this new information along with a thick braid of her own hair she’s stroking between her fingers. Her hair is a touch lighter than Imi’s, much longer, but they bear a strong resemblance.
“You ready, Imi?” I call lightly into the cell. “I’m worried we don’t have a whole lot of time.” I glance over my shoulder, expecting Dorian to come marching down the tunnel any minute.
Imi doesn’t look up at me but responds still staring at her sister. “Yes, let’s get out of here.” She’s rubbing her hands over Madelina’s arms as if she’s cold. I quickly take off the oversized sweater I’m wearing and give it to Imi, who helps Madelina put it on. “Ready?” Imi asks her sister.
Madelina gives a quick nod and stands.
When we leave the cell, Imi starts leading Madelina the way we came, but I stop before I pass the threshold into the tunnel. When Imi realizes I’m not behind her, she stops too.
I hold up the keys.
She nods.
I turn and begin unlocking the cells. One by one, I pull the doors open. The Imperi soldiers inside are confused, unsure whether they should leave their cells, probably worried it’s some sort of trap.
Six Imperi soldiers wander out of their cells, dazed.
“I’m getting you out of here,” I say. From what I can tell, none are too injured and, thankfully, they all have the ability to stand up and walk. I back out of the tunnel. “Follow me and be fast about it.” But I stop, stare ahead at them. “If any of you try anything, I’ll sound the alarm and two hundred Night soldiers will surround us before you can pray to the sun for help.” I glare at each of them. “Understand?”
Imi adds, “If you want to get out of here alive, you’d better listen to her.” I nod.
They nod back.
My loose plan is to lead them up through the den next to the Crag. It’s doubtful that they’d ever find it again, and if they did, it only leads to the prison. As we walk, I make it clear that if they ever try to return here, they’ll earn the fate they escaped and then some.
When we reach the ladder, I stop. “You’ll go up one by one. March straight to Imperi Palace. And tell the High Regent the Lunalette freed you.” They only nod. One thanks me.
Imi and I wait at the bottom as they ascend from the Lower one after the other back up onto Bellona. When it’s Madelina’s turn, she hesitates, knowing Imi can’t go up with her.
“You have to go, Madelina,” Imi demands.
“I can’t leave you here. What if they execute you?”
“I won’t let them,”