the handle. We go through. He withdrew his sword. Stay as close as you can.
Ahead of us, there was nothing but a dark hallway. Lights were recessed in the wall, but they flickered, throwing everything into weird strobe-shadows.
Do you sense something down that way? I couldn’t see anything.
No, but…it’s different. As if the magic isn’t as strong.
Why would that be? As if to answer my question, a huge, dark shadow appeared and ran toward us.
Claws scrabbled on the metal floor and breath huffed from the lungs of the hunched, four-legged creature. Its red eyes were fixed on us, and I realized what it was.
CorpseSnare. It had a wolf-like form but was nothing like the smart, wily animals found in the mortal world. CorpseSnares were twisted, evil demons. Ronan. It must guard the lower levels of the prison. I don’t know if it can be killed.
He didn’t answer. In dead silence, he sprinted toward it.
It jumped at him and he hit the floor, sliding beneath it. The hall filled with the scent of magic and there was a whine and a snarl before the demon hit the ground.
It lay there, still, though from the movement of its chest, it was still alive.
Hurry. Leaping to his feet, Ronan grabbed my hand. We bolted down the hall. He lifted his hand in the air, chasing away the chill with warmth and sunshine. A portal opened, illuminating the hall in purple light. Come on!
With one strong yank, Ronan dragged me through the portal. Humid, fetid breath touched my neck a second before we tumbled from one world into the next.
My knees hit a hard-packed dirt floor, and my ears filled with the sound of a thousand voices chanting and screaming.
Over all of that, though, came the unmistakable clang of swords crossed in battle.
I lifted my gaze and sucked in a breath. Ahead of me, fighting for his life and kingdom, was Flynn. Across from him was the competitor championed by Morgan Tauroc—Culann.
A crow swept over them then zoomed back into the air to make a lazy circle over the two Folk, and Flynn suddenly winced. From his narrow-eyed look of concentration, Morgan’s bird was trying to affect him. Maybe it was torturing him the same way it had Killian.
I shook Ronan. We have to find Morgan. We have to stop her.
He’d been watching Flynn as if his life depended on it, but now he stared hard at me before nodding sharply. Let’s go.
Killian
Something wasn’t right.
Despite Culann’s intimidating size, he and Flynn should be evenly matched. But Flynn hadn’t started out as strong as he should have. He appeared distracted. I wanted to ask him what was going on, but now wasn’t the time to speak inside his mind. The last thing he needed was me drawing his focus away from what was important.
Killian, Ronan said just above a whisper, so as not to startle me. Can you hear me?
Yes. Imogen?
I had to know that she was okay. Even the back-to-back battles weren’t enough to lessen my worry about her. We needed her here, with us.
She’s here, and she’s all right.
Thank the gods. And thank the gods I could still use my telepathy. Since failing to open the portal, I’d found that I could still use certain magic. The type that was inherent and didn’t weaken me.
Hi, Killian. Imogen’s sweet voice sounded in my head, and I felt like I could finally breathe again. I’m so happy you’re alive.
Alive? Before I had a chance to ask the question on my mind, Ronan spoke again. We don’t have time to chat right now. Imogen figured it out—Morgan Tauroc is the one behind everything, and we have to stop her.
I believe she’s using her crow to affect Flynn right now, Imogen added. Like she used on you at your trial today.
She’d been there?
Shoving that question with the others to ask her about later, I searched the sky for the crow. I’d seen it since the battle started but hadn’t put it together. Stupid, stupid.
Spotting the bird with glossy black feathers circling overhead, I said, I’ll warn Flynn. You two start searching for Morgan. Oh, and Imogen?
Yes?
I love you.
I heard the smile in her voice when she replied, I love you too.
Forcing my attention to the arena, I waited until both competitors retreated slightly, their swords dropped. I tried to keep my internal voice as quiet as possible when I spoke. Flynn, Morgan’s crow is the one attacking you. Be careful.
That must be what I’ve been hearing, he