"And no doubt notify the sorcerer that we've found this place."
"True. But I suspect that – sooner rather than later – we're going to have to do that if we wish to find their gateway onto the field."
I stopped in front of the door and scanned it for any additional signs of security, electronic or otherwise. "That's if it ishere. There's no guarantee of that."
"It has to be here somewhere, if only because of its proximity to the intersection." He paused, then added, "I can sense no magic other than the shield."
And I couldn't sense anything. I took a deep, somewhat quivering breath, but it didn't do a lot to ease the growing tide of tension. "Wish me luck."
"I wish you safety," he replied. "As you have noted on numerous occasions, luck is a bitch who seems to have abandoned us."
Laughter bubbled through me as my gaze shot to his. "Azriel! Did you just swear?"
He raised his eyebrows, his expression bemused, though amusement danced in his bright eyes. "Is not a bitch a female dog? How is that swearing?"
I grinned, knowing he was teasing and trying to lighten my mood. I leaned forward and kissed him. "Thank you," I murmured, my lips so close to his I could taste every breath.
"You are most welcome." He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Just be careful in there."
"I will." I stepped away from the warmth of his touch, then took another of those deep breaths that did little to calm the butterflies, and stepped toward the roller door.
Energy skittered across my skin, the sensation sharp and unpleasant. I ignored it and got down on my hands and knees to squeeze through the small hole. The sensation increased, until it felt as if I was being swarmed by sand flies. My skin twitched and crawled, and I had to bite my lip against the desire to back out. However unpleasant the sensation was, it wasn'tactually stopping me. I guess that was something I had to be thankful for, even if I really didn't want to enter this place alone.
Once inside, I stood up, dusting off my hands as I stepped away from the door. The stinging sensation eased immediately.
"I'm in," I said, rather unnecessarily.
"Can you see or sense anything?"