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Trevaneth was digging through his pack, throwing clothing and books aside in his search.

“The heart of the Labyrinth,” Ricordan stated. “Don’t you feel the life here?”

When he said it, when I closed my eyes and tuned out the shuffles and whispers of my friends around me for the first time, when I truly focused—I did. The steady hum of land blessed with magic and the stirring of a pulse within me. The tickling sensation at the back of my neck—of the Bond finding itself closer to its purpose.

My eyes shot open, meeting Tol’s. Based on the grin he returned, I was certain I looked wild with excitement.

“Is this where the crown is?” I tried not to appear too eager to Ric. Warriors were so defensive about their Angel, and I didn’t want him to think I was a threat.

“It is,” he confirmed. The rest of my friends fell silent, buzzing with the same anticipation as Tolek and me, those who had the Bond likely digging into the effects of the connective magic.

“Can we see it?” My fingers twitched at my sides, and I scratched at my Curse scar to soothe the energy riling within me.

“First we have some work to do, but I promise you will see it,” Ricordan assured me. Though vague, his warm smile was comforting.

Trev straightened up, pulling what looked like long cords from his pack. On and on they went, unraveling on the floor at his feet. I imagined they would have had to be coiled tightly to have fit in there in the first place.

“I’ll get the others,” Trevaneth said, looking at his immense pile of ropes with displeasure. “They’ll have more.” Without another word, he turned and disappeared down a corridor.

“More?” I asked.

“Others?” Malakai said at the same time.

“While this hall is empty, there’s a pocket nearby with supplies. Trev will get a few of the rebels to help.”

“What exactly are they helping with?” Jezebel asked.

“Preparing for the descent,” Ricordan said.

The subtle hum of power in the walls itched against my skin, my second pulse quickening more than the first.

“What does that mean?” I nearly snapped. Frustration bubbled within me despite the fact that I was relying on Ric for this.

“Can you clarify how we’re to prepare?” Cypherion adjusted my original question, tempering it a bit. I nodded my appreciation to him.

“Let me show you something.” Ricordan turned, walking toward the shadowed end of the chamber. We all shuffled along behind him silently.

When he reached the end, he held out an arm to stop us. “One moment,” he said. “Sometimes the mystlight takes a second to register when someone has arrived.” This place was not visited often, then, if the magic was idle.

Finally, orbs flickered to light, half a dozen of them forming a circle along the ceiling before us. And at our feet?—

“What’s this?” I toed the edge of the cliff descending into nowhere.

“The pit,” Ricordan answered.

“It’s where the crown is,” Trev said behind us, returning with a handful of Mindshapers in tow. A tall woman with pale skin and dark hair shaved close to her head went directly to Ricordan, pulling him to the side.

“Down there?” Vale gasped, stepping closer to the edge to peer over it. She’d been quiet since her latest episode. I wasn’t sure if she’d attempted any sessions. Right now, though, she seemed alert and steady.

I swept the perimeter of the circular hole carved into the ground, plunging Spirits knew how far down. There were no stairs, no divots in the rock to form hand and foot holds.

“How do I get to it?” I asked. My second pulse rioted, ready to dive in.

“That’s what these are for.” Trev held up the cords he’d dragged behind him. They were sturdy, but not as thick as I’d like.

“You have to repel down?” Cypherion looked between the boy and me.

“Using these?” Tolek held a cord between both hands and tugged. It did not snap, surprisingly strong, but a frown twisted his lips.