Chapter 44
Graysen
Mela and I were back on the upper level, near the edge of the chasm that cut through the catacombs, facing off against each other.
After returning from the catacombs, we’d crouched over the map with Petra and Jiao. I’d sketched the route to Yezekael’s nest and described its burrow in as much detail as I could. If we approached from the point the Uzrek had shown us, we’d have the best chance of catching the creature unawares.
Now, Mela and I argued over how to trap it.
Yet, Nelle’s dire state kept pulling at me. Her wretched emotions quaked beneath my flesh, every instinct in me demanded that I …save her, save her, save her… I suspected what plagued her, the why of it, and I knew it would test her courage, but she needed to rally and see it through.
Please, Nelle.
And if the Uzrek was right, the reason Sirro wanted this creature was because of my mother. I had to complete this mission. I couldn’t let Yezekael slip through my fingers. That’s why I wanted this done now and fast, no matter what the V?duvas advised.
Mela’s irritation sharpened her words. “We need to be careful. The creature can’t be tipped off that we’re down here.”
“I know that,” I barked, flinging an arm wide in frustration.
“It’s not even here—”
“It could have returned by now!”
“So you want to march down there with your warband, and the moment Yezekael shows its face, pounce?”
“Well, yeah,” I replied lamely. Except in my head, it seemed better than how she put it.
“No,” she flatly refused, stalking closer. “This is what’s going to happen. We’ll all leave for home to clean up and get some sleep, while my House plans and gathers the necessary items. And it will be the V?duvas who’ll set the trap, the way we want it to go down.”
I blinked. “Huh?” Was she thinking of taking over completely? I stabbed a finger into my chest. “This is my hunt. I’ll be sorting this out with my House. I’m the one who found Yezekael’s nest.”
“Thanks to the stone eater,” Mela tossed back, rolling her eyes.
I hadn’t mentioned the Uzrek’s involvement to anyone, not even to Mela. The ancient beast had vacated my mind soon after I’d thanked him.
Mela rubbed a hand over her face and drew in a deep breath.
She took a step back and relaxed her stance.
The swarm of dragonflies cast jewel-bright light across her armored figure.
Her voice was gentler but still flinty. “Everyone’s tired, Gray.
We have one shot at this, and we have to ensure we set ourselves up with the best chance of capturing it.
” She waved a hand dramatically through the air, grinning brightly.
“This needs V?duva finesse, not Crowther brutality.”
I huffed in resentment, crossing my arms over my chest. “We can be delicate when we need to be.”
Petra sidled in to rest an arm on Mela’s shoulder, and the two women shared a quick, amused look. Petra drawled, “I’ve seen your grumpy prick of a father in action. Delicate isn’t the word I’d use to describe how he handles the crime syndicates.”
I threw up my arms, spinning away and storming toward the chasm’s ledge. Even I knew I’d lost.
I passed by Mela’s makeshift camp, where my team had trudged back from their separate searches through the tunnels and gathered to warm themselves with coffee. The soft murmur of conversation tangled with the scrape of boots on craggy rock and the distant rush of running water.
An alcove nearby held a thin sheet of water rippling down its black walls, pooling in a shallow recess before draining through a crack in the floor. Earlier, I’d scooped handfuls of it over my head, letting it sluice the stone eater’s gritty blood from my face and armor.
The tips of my boots met the crumbling edge of the chasm, and I stared down into the abyss, into the endless black nothingness. Down here in the oppressive darkness, time didn’t exist. I hadn’t checked the hour, but if I had to guess, it was late afternoon.
I shrugged off my daypack and dug out my canteen, chugging down mouthfuls of cool water.
My free hand rubbed at my chest. Kept rubbing it.
And no matter what I tried to infuse through the twanging, discordant threads of power that connected us both, nothing seemed to rouse Nelle from her fractured state. Her terror swelled inside my chest.
I feared what my brothers had been up to while I’d been gone. Maybe whatever she was drowning in wasn’t what I’d hoped. Maybe they’d gotten to her first in retaliation for the brunnie.
A dark thought sliced through me.
If they’ve locked her in a dungeon beneath the Keep…
The canteen crumpled in my fist, and water sprayed everywhere.
Fuck.
Soft footsteps approached as I flicked droplets from my throat. I twisted around as Mela came up beside me. She took in the buckled canteen with a single raised brow, then set a steadying hand on my arm. “When’s the last time you slept?”
The question pulled me up short, shoving me out of Nelle’s desperation. I gazed up at the cavern’s glistening ceiling, mentally calculating it. “Three days ago.”
“You’re going home and staying home,” Mela ordered. I frowned, and before I could begin arguing again, she said, “Don’t bother, Gray, my decision is made.”
“What the fuck?”
She held her ground, whisper-hissing, “Until you get some actual sleep and recharge, I’m kicking you off the team.”
I scowled at the fucking audacity of booting me off my own hunt.
As was typical, my friend didn’t back down, she merely squeezed my arm harder and scowled right back.
She gave a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure we weren’t within hearing distance of any members of her House.
My own were well aware of the affliction that hounded me.
“You’ll put this entire mission at risk if it happens in the middle of capturing Yezekael. ”
My bottom lip poked out a fraction in irritation because she was right.
I could go under at any moment, and when it hit, it hit like a tsunami and I’d collapse where I stood.
I opened my mouth to argue that I could at least help with planning and setting the trap, but she cut me off.
“Jiao, your Second, is welcome to join us at my House, but the V?duvas are taking control of every aspect of this.” Her features softened, and she released my arm to tap my cheek lightly with a palm. “Go home and get some sleep.”
Maybe I should be thanking Mela for taking the choice away. I’d been given permission to head straight to Nelle, yet guilt tormented me for not focusing on my mother.
Mela took a couple of steps backward. “Come on,” she urged, waving her fingers, encouraging me to follow.
I shoved the canteen into my daypack, hefted it over a shoulder, and strode after her. Tipping my chin at Jiao, who was sipping coffee. He caught the gesture toward the passageway that led back to the surface and gave the order. Our team packed up quickly and fell into line.
Both Houses, V?duva and Crowther, moved swiftly from the cavern and through the twisting tunnels toward the ancient stone door.
We emerged into the maintenance corridor, shifting from pitch-black to harsh industrial light.
While my sight adjusted instantly, Mela squinted and rubbed the heel of her palm against her eyes.
A cascade of guards was already present, awaiting my arrival. But before I left in their company, Mela stopped me with a hand on my forearm. I turned back to face her, curious. She waited until both our teams had walked on ahead to give us privacy. “Wouldn’t photographs be enough?”
I knew instantly she was referring to what I’d asked her this morning to help me with.
Shaking my head, I blew out a heavy sigh, remembering what it was like for Nelle when she swifted us to the abandoned cottage by the lake.
I’d been passing in and out of consciousness, but I was aware she’d swifted in short bursts along the river before encountering the lake.
I had a feeling she needed to have either physically been to a place or at least could see it ahead of her to swift there.
And I wanted all my bases covered if that was the case.
“I need more than photographs,” I replied.
Mela didn’t question me, she simply nodded. She hadn’t asked why I wanted this done, or for whom. She’d just mentally taken note of what I needed. “I’ll get it sorted within the week.”
“Thanks.” I nudged her with my elbow, rocking her off balance. She flashed me a grin that slowly melted away when she saw my somber expression. “You know that when you get word back from Evelene, I’ll be at your side, right?”
Mela’s soft nose scrunched as she blinked away the liquid shimmering in her eyes.
Her voice was rough and uneven when she replied, “I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to keep you away.
” She brightened and slapped me playfully on the chest. “Go home, get some sleep, and maybe by the time you’ve awoken we’ll have everything set up to snare this Yezekael.
” And on that note, she jogged off to catch up with Petra and her team.
The SUV cascade was waiting at the curbside to escort us home.
I ducked inside my limousine and flopped down on the plush leather seat.
As I’d done every day I spent hunting Yezekael, there was going to be one more stop before we left the city and traveled the highways home.
The warband never questioned it, they left me to do whatever I wished.
My driver lowered the privacy screen and simply asked, “Where to?”
“The lake,” I replied.
I knew this side trip was going to delay my return to Nelle, but it was important.