Chapter 12
12
The night before the Void trial, I woke to a gentle knock on my door. When I opened it, Alodie was standing on the threshold. She was swathed in a hooded cloak, and the pale blue of her face and hands looked ghostly in the shadowed corridor.
“Get dressed,” she said. “Wear something dark.”
I complied, surprised to see that the wardrobe had provided me with black trousers and a shirt instead of a dress. Where exactly were we going?
I followed Alodie downstairs in silence. As we walked, the crystals overhead sparked with the barest light needed to see our immediate surroundings, then doused after we passed. “I have something to show you,” she said as we reached the ground floor, “but you must swear never to speak of it to anyone but Princess Oriana, Lady Lara, Lord Selwyn, or myself. If you try to betray this secret, you will die. Is that clear?”
I blinked at the steel in her normally soothing tone. “Very clear.”
She led me to the room I’d spoken with Selwyn in, where a willow tree shaded a still pond. The birds were silent as she pushed aside the hanging branches. I ducked under, and then we were enclosed in a cave of greenery, mere feet from a blank stone wall.
Alodie passed a hand over her chest and a golden object appeared in her fingers. A key, attached to a chain around her neck.
She held the key out to me, and I gingerly accepted it. As my fingers closed on the metal, the glowing outline of a door appeared in the stone wall. When I gave the key back, the glow disappeared. Alodie brushed the key against the wall rather than fitting it into a lock, but it worked all the same. The wall swung inward, revealing a staircase leading down.
I followed Alodie down the steps, cursing softly when the door shut behind us and we were left in complete darkness. A faint golden light sputtered to life. The key shone like a miniature torch in Alodie’s hand, casting ominous shadows under her cheekbones that gave her face a skeletal aspect.
“This is Earth House’s greatest secret,” she said. “All throughout Mistei, deep within the ground and hidden between the walls, are tunnels that no other house has access to. They don’t even know these tunnels exist. We don’t know when they were formed or why, but it’s rumored the Earth Shard was responsible.”
On either side of the narrow staircase was nothing but empty space. I tried not to think about the drop that awaited if I slipped.
“This is why Earth House is neutral,” Alodie continued. “The princess’s ancestors began using these tunnels long ago to collect information about the other houses. Earth House came to be revered for its wise counsel and uncanny understanding of what motivated others, and soon the princes and princesses of Earth were treated as honored advisors to the Fae kings and queens. They stayed neutral to protect this secret, but also because its use taught them the value of neutrality. During a war every side believes itself to be correct. Someone must stand apart and view Fae history with impartiality, or history will only remember one side of any conflict.”
We reached a rough stone floor. Water dripped in the distance as Alodie led me into a damp passageway. “The only places in this kingdom where these tunnels do not go are within or beneath the other houses’ territories, since the Shards protect the sanctity of those spaces,” she continued. “That means we have access to the throne room, libraries, ballrooms, studies, and almost anywhere else we might want to eavesdrop. The entrances cannot be found by any magic other than that of the keys, which were forged so long ago they have fallen out of even Fae memory. There are four keys in total. Oriana, Selwyn, and Lara each have one. Oriana’s eldest son, Leo, had the fourth key, but I have guarded his key carefully since his death. It is now yours for the duration of the trials.”
“Why?” It seemed like far too much responsibility for a servant.
“Lara needs help,” she said, worry entering her eyes and voice. “More help than the princess ever expected her to need. If she fails in the trials, Earth will lose the small amount of position it still has in the king’s eyes—which is a very dangerous place to be.”
True as it may have been, the way she said that bothered me. If Lara failed, she would either lose her magic or die. Why wasn’t that everyone’s first concern?
The vaulted ceiling was slimy with moss, and soon we reached an underground river. Crystal lights dotted the walls at intervals, casting a buttery glow over the oily-smooth water. A small boat was tied to a post on our side of the river, and Alodie gestured for me to hop in before joining me. She cast off, using a paddle to expertly maneuver us into the middle of the flow.
I eyed the water. The Elder had said that whenever water grew too dark, a knucker was sure to be lying in wait, all coiled scales and hungry fangs. “Is there anything to worry about down there?”
It took Alodie a moment before she understood the question. “You mean Nasties?”
“Knuckers or kelpies or…” I trailed off, thinking of the lantern-lure monsters that had chased us across the bog, their webbed feet skimming the water’s surface. “Will-o’-the-wisps?”
“No. With a few exceptions, the Nasties are all sequestered in much deeper levels of Mistei, and none of them have ever had access to the Earth tunnels.” She seemed to understand where my thoughts had gone, because she released the paddle to press a long-fingered hand to mine. “The ones you saw above—those are to protect Fae territory. King Osric doesn’t allow other Nasties out without permission. If they were to violate his orders, his soldiers would execute them.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. Then, embarrassed by my fear and not wanting to dwell on that horrible flight across the bog, I returned to the topic at hand. “So how will these tunnels help Lara?”
Alodie released my hand and grabbed the paddle again. “I told you the tunnels go everywhere in Mistei except within the other houses,” she said, stroking the blade through the dark water. “That includes anywhere the trials will be held.”
“You want me to help her from down here.”
Alodie nodded. “Most of the time you can help by spying from the tunnels and learning whatever you can about the upcoming trials. I can tell you where the princes often linger in case they disclose important information. For the Void test, however, Princess Oriana has planned something different. She was able to learn the precise location of the Labyrinth of Chaos. These tunnels lead directly there.”
I put the pieces together. “You want me to join Lara in the labyrinth.”
“Yes.” Alodie’s voice was calm but unyielding. “She cannot afford to fail. With both of you in the labyrinth, and with you connected to the secret exit by a cord, you will be able to help her navigate out successfully before disappearing back into the tunnels.”
Cold dread crept through my veins and balled in my stomach. “You want me to accompany Lara through a pitch-black labyrinth and help her cheat to pass the test, all without being noticed by the other candidates or eaten by ravenous monsters.”
“It won’t be easy,” Alodie said apologetically, “but there’s no other choice.”
I remembered what Oriana had said, that they could risk more with a human servant than they could have with an Underfae. I was small and unremarkable. The wards throughout Mistei had mostly been designed for faeries. I’d even proven myself adept at navigating difficult paths during the solstice ritual.
Most importantly, I was expendable.
No one would miss me if a monster ate me while Lara escaped. And if I were caught, it would be the princess’s word against mine—assuming she let me live long enough to be questioned. Oriana could throw me to the Nasties and no one would care.
Alodie secured the boat at a dock that appeared on our right and hopped out with her usual grace. I teetered less elegantly at the edge before she grasped my arm and tugged me forward.
The tunnel sloped sharply upward, the ceiling so low we had to crawl in places. Eventually we reached a small cavern, inaccessible save for the path we’d just taken.
Alodie removed the necklace and gave it to me. “Place it around your neck and let the key fall over your heart.”
When I did, the key vanished as if it had turned to mist and seeped into my skin. I couldn’t even feel the chain anymore. I waved my hand over my chest and the necklace reappeared. Another wave and it vanished.
Whether the key was in my hand or hidden beneath my skin, I could still see the glowing outline of another door in the cavern wall. I approached it hesitantly. “Should I go in?”
“Not now. Void House may still be preparing. Tomorrow night.”
I pressed my ear to the stone, straining to hear anything that might give me an idea of what waited in the maze beyond. All was silent.
Then, as if summoned by my curiosity, a low, keening howl sounded on the other side of the door. I jerked back, sweating. “I can’t do this. I’ll die in there.”
“You have no choice.”
She was right. The princess had told me what would happen if I failed to help Lara: a far less comfortable servitude or death. Right now I had free access to the public areas and a reason to be in many of the more exclusive spaces as I accompanied Lara to parties and balls. This key gave me access to so much more, which meant more opportunity to look for an escape route. I still had a tongue and the wits to use it. I had an offer of friendship from the Fire prince, should I need help. All that would vanish if I refused to do this.
A prick on my arm reminded me of one other thing I had, and the thought of it loosened some of the tightness in my chest. The dagger had frightened away the Nasties in the bog. Maybe it would frighten these ones as well.
I took a deep breath, calming myself. “All right. I’ll do it.”
The Void trial fell on Imbolc, which was a quieter holiday than most in the human world, dedicated to setting intentions for the coming year. It was a lesser holiday for the Fae, too, beginning with a period of contemplation in the morning before a formal lunch held within house walls. The afternoon was filled with music. I didn’t know the songs—didn’t even know the language a few of them were sung in—but the haunting melodies were so beautiful they made me weep.
There was no avoiding the anxiety that hummed beneath my skin, though, which grew more intense with every passing minute. It turned to outright dread once we left Earth House for a pretrial dinner near Void House. In honor of the hosts, everyone in attendance wore black. Anticipation hung heavy in the air, nearly as potent as the scent of roasted meat.
After dinner, King Osric raised his hand, commanding silence. The king, too, wore black, although his long midnight cloak glittered with iridescent stars. The outfit suited his heavy crown much better than his normal attire. He finally looked like the tyrant he was.
“The first trial commences in two hours,” the king said. “As you know, we honor Void House tonight, and the dark Shard has chosen the nature of this trial. Prince Hector has informed me that this test of courage will be conducted in the Labyrinth of Chaos.”
A chorus of gasps told me not all of the candidates had been privy to that information. Lara, thankfully, did a credible job of looking shocked. The Fire candidate, Edric, merely lifted one dark brow and crossed his arms; he wasn’t surprised, since I’d shared Oriana’s suspicions about the labyrinth with Aidan during a recent lunch as thanks for the sprite’s initial clues. Una and the other Void candidate, a faerie named Wilfrid, didn’t change expression at all.
“The labyrinth has ended the lives of countless criminals and traitors over the years,” the king continued. “The walls are warded against the use of magic, and there will be no light whatsoever available within the maze. You will need to find your way out as quickly as possible while avoiding the labyrinth’s most infamous danger: the vicious and bloodthirsty Nasties who feed on the fallen.”
The king definitely had a flair for the dramatic, and by the sick smile on his face, he enjoyed the terror he was causing. I tried to block out the emotional impact of his words and focus only on the details provided.
“You have five hours to escape. After that, you will be considered to have failed the test. If you fall behind, though, there is one more way to redeem yourself—or a way to further your lead, if you manage to escape the labyrinth quickly.” Osric snapped his fingers, and a waiting manservant stepped forward and draped something over the king’s outstretched hand: a simple black belt with two gauzy scarves hanging from it. “Each candidate will wear one of these belts. There are tokens attached at either side.” He slipped one free from the belt and held it up. It was about the size of a handkerchief, with a silver medallion attached to one corner to weigh it down. “The Shard will also take into consideration who is in possession of the most and least tokens at the end of the trial.”
Garrick and his Illusion crony, Markas, relaxed at this information. They were the brawniest of the candidates, and I knew from their frequent bullying of Lara that they would enjoy the chance to take tokens from the others by force.
Lara’s tense posture told me she was terrified, though. So was I, to be honest. It was one thing to navigate unknown tunnels in the dark; I was used to that sort of questing. It required patience and an attention to detail I’d been perfecting since childhood, the ability to remember directions and mark my steps on a mental map. The Nasties had been my biggest concern, but I’d told myself that if we were quiet and quick enough, they might not catch us.
If we had to contend with not just Nasties but strong, competitive Noble Fae for whom this trial was a matter of life or death…I didn’t know how we would manage. I wouldn’t be faster or stronger than any of them, and Lara likely wouldn’t be, either. If we ran into another candidate, it was unlikely Lara would be able to keep her tokens.
King Osric clapped his hands. “Those are the rules. Now, the candidates will be escorted to chambers where they will change their attire and wait for the trial to begin. Prince Hector will lead spectators to the exit from the labyrinth shortly before midnight. May the Shards give you courage.”
I smiled at Lara as she was escorted away by a black-winged Underfae, willing her not to panic. She would perform better if she entered the maze in a calm state of mind.
I wouldn’t be with her for the next portion of the evening. None of the manservants or handmaidens would be, for fear we would arm the candidates with supplies to help them escape. This suited me, as I needed the extra time to prepare for my own covert entry into the labyrinth.
The wardrobe provided me with exactly the outfit I needed. Tight but flexible black trousers, a long-sleeved black shirt, and shoes ideal for running. I braided my hair and slipped the tail down the back of my shirt, then pulled a loose hood over my head that covered everything but my eyes. I looked like a walking shadow. The dagger curled into a thick bracelet around my wrist, high enough that it was hidden by my sleeve but low enough that it could easily slip into my hand if needed.
Perhaps I didn’t need to take such care with my appearance when there would be no light to see by anyway, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. The Nasties that lived there navigated through the darkness somehow; I couldn’t assume their eyes were the same as mine.
I tied a round wooden box to my ankle, tugging at the string protruding from it to make sure the spooling mechanism within was working smoothly. I’d been astounded when Alodie had told me the small box contained enough string to last even if I walked in circles for days, rather than the five hours allotted. It was smooth and fine, barely wider than a hair but strong enough that I couldn’t break it. Nasty spider silk, she’d said, procured at great cost. Once I had accompanied Lara to the opening of the labyrinth, I would be able to follow the thread back to the secret door.
I added a leather pouch to my belt just in case I was able to grab another candidate’s token. With that, I was ready.
I retraced the route Alodie had shown me and waited in the cave, unsure how close it was to midnight. Alodie had told me I would be able to hear voices at the main opening to the labyrinth due to the way the rock had been carved. Once the king announced the start of the trial, I would enter. The candidates had been taken to other entrances around the maze—official Void entrances, unlike this secret cave—and would start at different positions equidistant from the exit.
With nothing else to do, I traced patterns in the dirt and tried to let my mind go blank. When that didn’t work, I went over the steps of my plan again. Once inside the labyrinth, I would tie the loose end of the string to an iron ring at the base of the wall, presumably used to restrain prisoners. Alodie had seemed confident it would be there, so I would simply have to trust her. Then I would move as quickly as possible to find Lara. The labyrinth wouldn’t be silent, Alodie had assured me—there would be Nasties roaring at the very least, and possibly other sounds meant to disorient prisoners. Under cover of that noise, I would make a specific trilling call I’d practiced for hours the night before, one of Earth House’s secret codes. Once I heard a response, I would follow the sound to wherever Lara was.
Then we would stumble around in the dark together.
Not stumble, I corrected myself. We would explore. That sounded more deliberate. We would protect her tokens carefully and move as quickly and quietly as possible through the maze, using my string and natural memory for patterns to guide Lara out. I’d distract any enemies who appeared as we headed for the exit. Then Lara would emerge victorious, and I would follow the string back to freedom.
Simple.
Nothing to worry about at all.
I grimaced.
Strange howls came from within the labyrinth, although now that I knew the stone around the labyrinth had been carved to amplify sound, I realized the Nasties were likely farther away than they sounded. Still, I would move away from any howls that sounded too close.
Long minutes passed, time enough for my breaths to slow and my agitated heart to calm. I closed my eyes, mentally preparing myself for the utter lack of light.
“It’s time,” a voice announced from seemingly just above me.
I jumped, all pretense of calm lost as my heart took off at a gallop.
It was the king, speaking to the assembled spectators. “The candidates stand at entrances around the labyrinth, guarded by servants of Void House. They will be released into the labyrinth in less than a minute. Then we will have five hours to see who emerges victorious—and who doesn’t emerge at all.”
Was that the clink of glassware? When the king announced a toast, I rolled my eyes. The only thing he seemed to love more than speeches or murder was making toasts. “We will drink and revel until dawn. Here’s to the first trial. May it be an interesting one.”
The crowd’s laughter echoed off the stone as they drank with him.
I pushed to my feet, shook out my stiff legs, and summoned the key. I clutched it tightly, staring at that glowing entrance.
No choice, I reminded myself.
I pressed the key against the door, which swung open to reveal a darkness so thick not even the light of the key could cut through it. I vanished the key, took a deep breath, and walked into the labyrinth.