Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) - By Paula Flumerfelt Page 0,142

Mathieu rubbed at his pant leg as they walked.

“It’ll be fine. You’ve still got me and I won’t leave you by yourself.”

“This is horrifying.” Mathieu said. “What if she won’t help me, or what if she wants to kill me?”

Solomon pointed to an arched hole in the mountain as they neared it. “I think that’s it. Try not to be too nervous, okay? Remember, you’re the resistance’s leader now.”

They entered into the passage, the walls close together but smoothed to the touch. It took a left almost immediately, and that was where they came face-to-face with a man and an extremely large wolf curled up at his feet. “Who the hell are you?”

Mathieu took a gulp of air, finding his Zen in the moment, “I need to speak to Anastasie. You will take me to her.”

“Who is Anastasie? Don’t know her.” The man was short, fat, and broad with a large mustache.

“I know that this is the way to go see her, so take me to my grandmother.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

The man took a step away from wolf, giving Mathieu an appraising look, “A pansy thing like you? No way you’re a Roman.”

“I am, though. Need I prove it?” A twine of energy slid along his arm towards the man, snaking through the air. “Tell me how to reach her.”

The portly man backed away from the sinister energy tendril, nearly tripping over the monstrosity of a canine. “Jesus, just go up the passage three cross-paths and go down the right at the fourth, then follow it to the lift. There will be another guard there.”

“Thank you.” Mathieu pushed past the man, dragging Solomon by the hand. As soon as they were out of earshot, he giggled like a child. “Did you see his face? He was totally scared! That was so cool…”

Solomon patted his back, his tone joking. “Down, killer. That was just one guard. He said take the fourth left. Start walking.”

Mathieu put his hand on his hip, making an annoyed sound. “Oh, shut it. You can’t just let me have one moment, can you? Come on.” They started walking down to passage, counting as they went.

They took the proper right turn, then followed the twisting path. The deeper they went, the colder it got. Soon, he was shivering so badly his teeth were chattering. There was a strong draft coming towards them, and there was a wetness that tinted the air. He realized that there was water dripping down the walls as the passage narrowed. The passage narrowed further until Solomon was forced to walk behind him in single file in order for both of them to continue without either of them scrapping along the wall.

The cold was sinking into Mathieu's bones, making him shake so hard he had to use the bump of the wall to keep him moving forward. Just ahead there was a dead end, except for a cut out hole less than half his height and would be tight in width. Groaning, he slowly got onto his hands and knees, then crawled through the hole.

Mathieu crawled onto a metal platform, then moved out of the way and looked around. Above him was a metal grate that slid down. And across from him on the small platform was a huge white wolf, standing in front of the button to go up.

Mathieu gave a sigh of relief as the warm air of the shaft rolled over him. Once Solomon had gotten to his feet, he went to the canine and petted it behind the ears. "Hello, pup. I need you to move." In response, the animal gave a short growl, but moves aside. "Solomon, close the grate."

The blond did, so Mathieu flipped the small lever that a paw could flip with ease, then leaned against the wall as the lift gave a few rattles, moving shakily upward. There was a prevailing scent of wet something, but the air was drying out. Slowly, the artificial light that has been their guiding source faded, replaced by natural light. The trip upward was slow and tedious, the repetitive clanking putting Mathieu into a light doze.

A bright light stung behind his eyelids, forcing him to open his eyes and turn away. The grate only came up to his waist so he was able to see the glass tube their lift was going up. Next to it, there was another column of glass, presumably to go down, but beyond that was the whole of Korinth on one