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Occasionally I’ll notice some water seeping down the walls, the trickling ends up being the only thing we hear aside from the sound of the kyrils’ hooves on the stone. Vynia and Hyva ride side by side in front of us. Both of them stay alert, looking at everything we pass.

At one point the tunnel opens into a large cave. Stalactites and stalagmites grow from above and below. The line of kyril walk through them, careful not to touch any of the formations. We’re nearing the other end of the cavern when I look down and notice we’re crossing over bones. In fact, it’s not just a few bones but rather a deep layer of them, cleared of any tissue or blood.

My stomach churns at the sight.

“What kind of bones are those?” I ask in a whispered tone.

“Hopefully not Zeahiri.” Raiz’s answer leaves much to be desired.

“Next time lie to me.”

“I thought you didn’t want to be lied to.”

“I’ll make an exception this once.”

Because if those are Zeahiri bones, we have much bigger problems on our hands than simply navigating to the temple.

“Noted.” He runs his hand along my thigh. “How do you feel? Do you need a break?”

“In the cave of bones? No, thanks.”

His chest shakes with laughter at my back. “We’ll keep going until we find a stream for the kyril to drink and then we’ll eat.”

“I’ve noticed the water running down the walls in places. Should we be worried about flooding?”

“No. It’s just groundwater seeping through. As we move further from the terminix, it’ll start to freeze. Some of the caves will be completely covered in ice.”

“Does this cave and tunnel system exist under the entirety of the continent?”

“Yes.”

I shift my weight from one side of my ass to the other. Had he asked if I needed a break in any other location, I would have said yes. It’s only been a few hours, and I’m already stiff and uncomfortable. I can’t imagine how I’ll feel after days of this.

We enter into a narrow passage, the kyril moving single file and all the Zeahiri have to lean forward to avoid scraping their heads along the ceiling. Nebula snorts and whinnies as he follows the rest further into the darkness. It’s so pitch black that even with my enhancements I can barely see.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand as I feel as though we’re being watched. I feel Raiz tense behind me at the same time.

“Do you feel that?”I ask.

“I do.”

“Do you know what it could be?”

“Lies or real answer?”

My stomach drops because, with that answer, it can’t be anything good.

“Real answer, please.”

“We’re being hunted.”

“By what?”

“I’m not sure. Take the reins.”His hands cover mine, slipping the leather into my sweaty palms. “I’m going to dismount, keep going.”

“No. I don’t know how to do this. You can’t go alone.”I grip his hands, terrified to let him go.

“I’ll be right back.”He presses a kiss just below my ear.“Fear not, female. I’m the scariest predator down here.”