Chapter 7
A spine-chilling howl echoes through the tunnels. This terrain is a nightmare.
Too many blind spots, it’s a kill box in the making.
Ludo, Donovan, and I immediately form a shield around Theo. I jab a finger at the centaur. “Shit goes down, take Theo and get out of here.”
Surprisingly, Drakeward joins us in the defensive circle. “Drakeward, cover the back. Ludo, you’re the tank—front and center. Theo, move to the cavern wall.”
My eyes scan, assessing. Theo’s breath comes in short gasps against my side. “Ludo doesn’t know what it is.”
“Keep it together, pulu,” I tell her. My eyes scan the cave. This is, tactically, a shit position to be in.
Another howl.
Glancing at Donovan, I note his body is flexed and prepared to attack. Good.
I don’t need to check to know Ludo is ready to lay down his life for this girl. As am I.
The low growl sounds closer. Cosmo flinches, and I watch as a deep ripple travels down his spine; he’s holding his dragon in, but only just. “Don’t fucking shift,” I hiss at him. “You’ll crush us all.”
“Not as simple as it sounds,” he snaps back.
“Work on it.”
Drakeward takes another deep breath, and the rippling begins to subside.
I turn my attention to Theo. “Crouch down behind that rock pile, be ready to move.”
“I’m not leaving you all to fight while I hide,” she whispers. Obviously, I admire her intention, but she will just distract us from tackling the threat. We don't have the time for these conversations.
“Do as you are told. You’re not strong enough to fight. The best thing you can do is avoid getting in the way.” I can feel the scowl on her face, but she doesn’t argue.
I turn back to the men—and minotaur.
“Ludo, you’ve probably the best chance to come out of this uninjured. Can you be the distraction? Then we three will strike from the shadows.” There isn’t time to discuss further, as another rumbling growl lets me know the beast is almost upon us.
There.
Yellow eyes glowing from the far end of the tunnel. “Get into position,” I hiss. Donovan, Cosmo, and I scatter into the shadows.
Ludo flexes his giant form.
An unearthly snarl reverberates down the tunnel, the pitch so low it makes the silt beneath my feet vibrate. I glance over my shoulder and see Theo crouched behind the rockfall. She’s on the balls of her feet, a boulder in her hand. Good girl.
The beast remains in the shadows, just its eyes visible.
Is it being cautious, or is it toying with us?
Does it like to play with its food?
The creature steps closer and becomes visible for the first time. The yellow eyes belong to the head of a dog-like creature. Black fur covers a considerable body, and when it lifts a paw, it’s almost like the thing is showing off its wicked-looking claws.
The word ‘Helvetinkoira’ springs into my head.
The bull stands as solid as a granite statue, as the wolf stares him down. Then it lifts its muzzle, scents the air and turns in my direction.
I see the muscles in its powerful hind legs tense and coil.
The next second, the beast shoots forward.
Its intended direction is unclear, but anywhere near Theo is not acceptable.
I throw my body into its path. I’m instantly slammed onto the rock floor.
The dagger-like claws pin me down as it snarls, drool dripping onto my face like all the worst nightmares come true.
I try to take a breath, but the weight of the creature is compressing my lungs.
In my periphery, there’s a blur of motion; Ludo, with his head lowered and muscles bulging, is poised to charge. Donovan runs towards Theo. Good
The maw of the hirvitt?v? beast yawns wider, impossibly wide, and ragged canines gleam in the dim light. I strain, with every muscle screaming, to push against the weight pinning me down. My ribs protest, a moment away from snapping.
"Run!" I wheeze, shoving my scarred forearm into its jaws to keep the teeth from ripping out my throat.
But the creature doesn't bite.
It pauses, a long, thick tongue lolling out to slide across my face in a mocking, sloppy lick.
What the...?
Ludo slams into us, knocking the beast off me.
I scramble back, gasping. "Finish it!" Cosmo yells. As Ludo raises a massive fist, the air shimmers. Green sparks fly, and the wet sound of bones shifting fills the cavern. The wolf is gone.
In its place lies a man, grinning up at the Minotaur's fist hovering inches from his nose. "Hey, cuz," Maximus says.
Voi kyrp?! Of course, it makes perfect, unfortunate sense. “You’re a fucking Helvetinkoira?”
The minotaur looks at me, and I think the expression on the bull’s face is confused.
“Let him up, Ludo,” I sigh, pushing myself upright, feeling bruised and battered. “It’s just my cousin.”
“Your cousin, and a hellhound,” Maximus says, still grinning. “But I’m also a very good boy.” He kneels, raising his hands like a dog begging for a treat. “Woof, woof.”
Good fucking Gods.
I turn my back and focus on Theo, who is now by my side, her hands running all over my body. “Did he hurt you? Are you OK?” she asks, her eyes wide and anxious.
I cup her cheek, reassuring her. “I’m fine, pulu. It will take more than this little fucker to mess me up.”
Then, we both turn to look at Maximus; he’s now grinning widely as Donovan grabs him into a bear hug. “Hey, man. I’m so fucking glad you’re alright!”
“Easy, tiger,” Max laughs. “It almost seems like you missed me!” Max looks over Donovan’s shoulder and gives me a wink. “Where’d you pick up Alexis and Cosmo? And what are you doing here, Lexi?”
Maximus is naturally chaotic and anarchistic, but even for him, this nonchalance is weird.
Donovan frowns. “They arrived through the light-portal, like us. But where’s Wes? Has he shifted as well? WES?” Donovan starts to bellow his brother’s name. “WES!”
“He’s around somewhere,” Maximus shrugs, with a completely casual gesture.
Beside me, Theo gasps, and Cosmo growls. He strides towards Max, looking like he’s going to start throwing punches. “Where is Wes, you fucktard? Answer the fucking question.”
“Don’t have an aneurysm,” Max replies, scratching his head. “We landed, did some exploring, then split up. No biggie.”
My head spins. There is only one thing that explains the situation. “How long have you been down in these tunnels, Max?”
My cousin frowns, confused. “What do you mean? Since we went through the shadow-portal? I dunno. It’s not like I’ve got a fucking watch on—but I’d guess, three or four hours? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to visit, Lex?”
He doesn’t hear all our sharp intakes of breath.
“How long, Max?”
“Well, the first hour was taken up with me coming out as a hellhound,” Max says, looking puzzled, “but after that?” He shrugs again, “not that long. We decided to explore separately for a bit, then you all turned up, looking like the Scooby gang.”
“How is this possible?” Theo croaks, her voice barely a whisper.
“I told you time was slippery here,” Donovan sighs, sounding weary to his bones.
Maximus's confusion deepens as he looks between us all. “Why are you all freaking?”
Donovan is the one to tell him. “While only hours have passed for you down here, I’ve been alone in the white sands for a long time,” he says. “Years. Several years.”
“What?”
“Add to that the fact you and the twins disappeared from the academy just under twelve months ago.” Cosmo’s voice is irritated. I can’t blame him.
“Lexi? Are they fucking with me?” he asks, looking at me.
I shake my head. “It’s the truth. I came to Validus Vale a few months ago to search for you.”
“No. Fucking. Way.” Maximus’s eyes widen as he turns to Donovan.
“Years? You’ve been in that white desert, by yourself, for years?
” Even my wayward cousin can understand the weight of what Donovan must have been through.
“But it’s the same day for me. What in the ever-loving fuck?
Gods, I can’t even..” He stumbles forward and grabs Donovan into a huge hug. “I’m so sorry.”
“I spent a lot of time in my centaur form, which helped,” Donovan mumbles.
Max blinks. “You’re a centaur? Cool! But, bro—years?”
“Yeah, yeah, we feel bad for Dono,” Cosmo snaps. “But if you’ve only been down here for a hot minute, it should be easy to find Wes, right?”
“Oh yeah, piece of cake,” Maximus grins. “Let’s go get him.”