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But I followed him back down the passageways, gratefully inhaling the fresher air as we left the monsters behind us. Still, the sight of them straining at their chains would be forever imprinted into my mind.

We turned left, and I searched for a hidden spot we could use to have a quick conversation. I wasn’t going anywhere until I had that amulet.

Pelysian froze. Every muscle in my body stiffened in response. His power allowed him to hear even the quietest whispers.

My heart jumped in my chest as he whirled toward me, eyes darting. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me into the tiniest crevice. I shook my head. It was too small.

His expression turned thunderous, and he roughly shoved me between his body and the stone wall, pressing me against it. Thankfully, the minimal lighting at least worked in our favor, but the chances of discovery…

Pelysian’s heart pounded against my ear. I was wedged between him and hard granite, both of us trembling.

Finally, I heard it too. Booted footsteps walking toward us.

Low voices sounded, and a rush of adrenaline hit me.

What was Idoing?

I’d had the opportunity to run. I could beanywhere, and I was in this hell Sabium had built, just footspansfrom the creatures he would turn on his enemies and the guards who would arrest me without a thought.

Was I so used to living with terror that I was unable to choose a life without it? Was I truly going to last this many years under Sabium’s control and throw it all away with one stupid choice?

“The creatures are restless today,” a feminine voice said.

“Probably need to be fed. The king likes to keep them half starved so they’ll stay vicious. You’re new, right?”

“Yes.”

A low chuckle sounded from the male. “What did you do to be demoted to this position?”

The woman hissed but didn’t reply. They were so close now, and their voices seemed to echo through my bones. Pelysian’s hand moved near my hip. He’d unsheathed his dagger.

I was more than happy for the guards to die, but if they were discovered before we left this place, our own chances of survival greatly decreased.

I strained, and my power jumped within my grasp. Perhaps it would help just enough for us to live through the next few moments.

“How did he get…so many of them?” the woman asked.

“Some fae woman has been handing over creatures from her territory for years. Calls herself a warden or something.” He laughed, and the sound was so close to us, I flinched. Pelysian’s hand tightened warningly on my arm. “Those fae bastards have no idea what’s coming for them.” His voice faded as he continued walking pastus. The creatures began to screech, likely sensing their approach.

Sweat dripped in a steady line down my back.

Pelysian kept us hidden for several long minutes after they had passed. Finally, he pulled me out of the shallow alcove. His hand remained around my arm as he practically dragged me down the passageway.

I allowed it. He would be alerted to anyone else coming our way long before they heard us.

We approached the entrance of the mine. I clamped down on the urge to sprint into the wide expanse and fresh air outside. Instead, I studied Pelysian. He was covered in dust, and he had the wary look of someone who had been traveling for days.

“How did you know I was here?” I asked.

“My mother. Will your power work on both of us?”

“It’s unlikely. It’s weak.” Admitting such a thing burned, but Pelysian had always known the reality of my magic. Although…perhaps ithadjust helped us avoid detection. “We can’t leave yet. The amulet is here somewhere.” And everything would change once I took that little artifact from Sabium. Finally,Iwould be the one with the power.

Pelysian’s hands gripped my upper arms, fingers digging into my skin as he glared at me. “The amulet is hidden in a cavern somewherebelowus. There is no way for us to get to it tonight.”

I looked into his eyes. They were filled with rage, but I couldn’t discern any hint of a lie. Besides, if he could get to the amulet, he would likely attempt to take it for himself this very moment.

But… “You know how to get to it.”