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“He has ways and powerful allies. My uncles—a cadre of warriors with many talents—will assist him. At the very least, Mirceo will get himself captured and condemned here.”

“He’d do that for you?”

She nodded easily. “Just as I would for him. What people like you never realize is that devotion to others isn’t a weakness; it’s strength.”

Silt disagreed. Devotion involved trust; trust was absolutely a weakness. “Still won’t divulge how Mirceo breached my defenses? Since we’re about to die and all.”

With sudden insight, she said, “That’s why you hate him so much. Such a young vampire bested your greatest efforts, and you can’t stand it.”

“I’m sure you like being bested. Enjoy getting outwitted, do you?”

“I wouldn’t know—it’s never happened!”

He grew quiet, and what looked like an involuntary smile curved his lips.

She dragged her gaze away when strobing light drew her attention. Bolts flashed from outside! “Look, sorcerer, we’re close.” The night sky called them forth. The rain had slowed to a drizzle. On solid ground, they couldgain ground.

“I see it!”

They careened out of the tunnel into the night. Beneath their feet was a smooth black surface. Not soil. Not rock.

Craaack.

“Freeze!” Silt yelled.

She stilled, not moving a muscle. And yet . . .craaack.“It’s shattering. It’s some kind of crystal surface.”

“It forms over lava tubes.”

Pardon?“Are we above a boiling pit?”

“Likely. On the count of three, we each leap to the side.” He held her gaze, his expression determined. “One, two, thr?—”

The basilisk thundered out of the cave.

The crystal shattered beneath its weight, and all the world was shards, claws, and contagion.

Seventeen

Silt, the princess, and an undead basilisk plunged down the tube. No lava awaited them.

Rushing water churned far below.

Midair, he snared Kosmina’s wrist, arching them away from the flailing beast that plummeted beneath them. Its claws scrabbled down the sides of the tube as it tried to fly, but its rotted wings were useless. It landed first; displaced water exploded upward.

“Take a breath, vampire!”

They both sucked in lungfuls before crashing beneath the surface of rapids. The force of the current propelled them like a witch’s hexshot down another tube. The pressure tore their weapons free.

The basilisk eyed them from its spot ahead of them and splashed, driven to infect, oblivious to the danger.

Coughing, Kosmina said, “The water’s rising!” The tube’s air clearance tapered, foot by foot.

“There must be a way out.” He secured his hold on her. “Or the water wouldn’t rush.” No sooner were the words spoken than he spotted a drop-off ahead, the tube descending at a ninety-degree angle. The basilisk floundered for purchase as it went over the edge.

Then . . .

Our turn.