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“ Thought you could use some help,” Dain stated.

The sight of him sent relief coursing through Farah . “ It’s good to see you.”

They got Rohan loose within moments. After he shook off the ropes, he rubbed his arms. “ Nice timing.”

“ He likes to make an entrance,” the female said.

Dain cut his eyes to her, but there was no heat in his expression. “ Farah , Rohan , meet Arya . She was with me at Shaldorn .”

Arya was tall and slender, her white hair long and straight. Deep gray eyes crinkled at the corners as she gave them a mesmerizing smile. She was gorgeous, and given how Rohan looked at her, even he noticed.

“ Glad we made it in time,” Arya said. She motioned to the elf beside her. “ This is Jai .”

Jai’s long, white waves were pulled back in a queue at the base of his neck. He had a handsome face with light gray eyes. But it was the loving look he and Arya shared that told Farah they were together.

“ Jai was captured years ago and forced to captain a ship along the Lotus ,” Arya explained.

“ You got him out, then?” Rohan asked.

Farah heard the hope in his voice as her gaze moved to him. The fear that froze her blood hadn’t been for her but for him when the Wood Elves had put the rope around him. She had almost used her magic. She should have. She likely would have if Dain hadn’t shown up.

Her gaze dropped to Rohan’s lips. They had nearly kissed. She was sure they would have had the elves not arrived. She yearned to feel his lips again. The longing had been so overwhelming that she had forgotten everything but him. Which was why the Wood Elf got to her.

That kind of preoccupation could get her—and others—killed. She had to put an end to whatever feelings were developing. They were bothersome and hindersome. They were, to put it mildly, not something she wanted.

Jai’s smile dropped. “ Barely .”

“ You’re here, aren’t you?” Dain retorted.

Arya waved her hand at the two of them. “ Ignore them. Dain filled us in on your plan.”

“ It sounds dangerous. Count us in,” Jai said.

“ Dangerous but doable,” Arya corrected. “ With some help.”

Farah looked between the three Dark . “ What do you mean?”

“ We’re going with you,” Dain said.

They would be able to move more easily within Mortham than she or Rohan . She had never counted on help but wouldn’t turn it away. Not to mention, the Dark would get them to the secret entrance a lot faster. Farah found herself smiling. “ Our chances of success just improved.”

“ We should get moving,” Jai urged.

As if propelled by the words, the three Dark encircled her and Rohan , pushing them together until they stood facing each other. Farah held on to his arms while Rohan’s hands rested on her hips. When she glanced up, he was looking at her. She could only see the outline of his face in the dark, but she knew every contour of it.

He urged her closer, and she willingly went. Her hands moved up his arms, and then her fingers splayed on his chest. She realized she would go wherever he went. She didn’t want to love him. But it was too late. She had fallen for him without knowing it.

Had his kiss sealed her fate? Maybe it was when he braved the churning river to help her across. Or perhaps it had been when he slept with his head in her lap. Or when he so tenderly saw to her wound.

The world was burning all around them. They were about to walk into a hellhole of unspeakable proportions, and all she could think about was him. His hard body, the muscles rippling beneath her palms. He had saved her from more than just a leg injury. He had saved her soul.

“ Do not speak,” Dain said. “ We can pass unseen, but we can still be heard.”

Rohan glanced up and dipped his chin in acknowledgment.

She lowered her gaze to his chest to hide the tears flooding her eyes. Shadows rose and closed over them, blocking out the meager moonlight. She had never traveled with a Dark before. She expected to feel like they were moving, but she didn’t. Maybe it was because all three were using their shadows together. She wondered how they saw through them or even knew where to go. It had to be instinctive.

Rohan’s fingers flexed against her. She closed her eyes and reveled in being so close to him. It might be the last time she had the opportunity, and she wasn’t about to pass it up. She had never dreamed of finding someone like him. She wished she was brave enough to kiss him. Nitya would have. Her sister had reached for whatever she wanted without hesitation. Nitya never worried about what might happen or what others thought. That was Farah’s problem. She focused on the worst possible outcomes and couldn’t consider anything else.

More than any of the others, she knew what awaited them at Mortham . If they were caught, they would wish for death, pray for it. This moment might be the last she had with Rohan . She rested her cheek on his chest. He wound his arms around her, holding her firmly, and she heard the rapid beat of his heart. He would never know of her feelings. Loving someone wasn’t in the cards for her—and loving a human was…

The roar of a waterfall grew louder. All too soon, the shadows fell away. She lifted her head. Rohan’s hold lingered for another heartbeat before he released her. She dared to look at him, but he had moved away. It was likely for the best. She might say something she would later regret. Farah drew in a breath and put a protective barrier around her heart, then took stock of where they were.

Dain , Arya , and Jai had brought them to the edge of a plateau. If she climbed one of the trees, she would likely be able to make out Rannora to the northwest. She had gotten to Mortham from the Lotus River . She had never known there was another entrance so close to the city. Thanks to Rohan , they had another access point.

Her eyes sought him out. Now that she had labeled her feelings, she couldn’t stop looking at him. Without the canopy of the rainwood, moonlight flooded the area. Desire burned in her veins as her eyes roamed the back of Rohan’s impressive body. He walked through tall grass to stand on the mesa’s rim. Like a string connecting them, she followed.

He glanced at her when she came up beside him before he returned his gaze to the waves crashing onto the shore. She couldn’t hear anything over the thunderous waterfall. The five of them stood there for another heartbeat before Rohan turned to the right and started walking toward the cascade.

Within minutes, the waterfall’s spray drenched them. It dampened everything around them. Farah looked for a door or something that could be an entrance—to no avail. She wiped the water from her face and slipped on the wet grass. She was able to right herself before falling.

Rohan unexpectedly stopped and dropped to his arse before twisting to the right and pushing off with his hand. Her heart slammed into her ribs in fear, his name on her lips, until she looked over the side and saw him staring up at her. He waved for her to follow. Now that she had a better view, Farah saw the small ridge in the side of the plateau.

Dain followed Rohan next. Farah sat, pushed off, and twisted. She sucked in a quick breath as fear iced her veins when only one foot landed on the ridge. She gained her footing, but her heart thudded painfully against her ribs. Slowly , she turned and moved forward a few inches to make room for Arya and Jai . Water prevented the Dark from using their shadows to travel, which meant they had no choice but to traverse this like anyone else.

Once everyone was down, Rohan led them along some steps so narrow the balls of her feet barely fit. This couldn’t be how he had carried her out of Mortham . How could he have possibly done it? Then she recalled how he had scaled the cliffs.

She kept one hand on the side of the mesa, her shoulder scraping rock just so she wouldn’t lean too far the other side, where there was nothing but air. The farther they trekked, the wetter they got. There was no rushing down the minuscule steps. Besides being small, they were getting slipperier. One wrong move and it was over. Her thighs burned from creeping down so many steps.

Rocks tumbled behind her. She paused to look over her shoulder where Jai was looking down. Arya had half-turned to put her hand on him. After a moment, the two continued on. Farah made her tired legs start moving. She blinked through the water pelting her face. At first, she thought it was rain, but when she looked up, she realized they were heading toward the waterfall on their way down.

It became difficult to see with the amount of water hitting her face. She slowed considerably to place each foot carefully before shifting her weight. And she wasn’t the only one. Just when she didn’t think she could take it anymore, Rohan pulled her forward, and she found herself in a cave behind the waterfall.

She walked a few steps before bending forward, her hands braced on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. Her legs wouldn’t hold her, though. She ended up lowering herself onto the wet stones, waiting for Arya and Jai to make it inside.

Rohan leaned against the side of the cave, breathing heavily once everyone was inside. They were all exhausted. They needed to be in top form when they entered Mortham . Luckily , she had just the thing.

Farah had taken the jar of herbs and stored them on her just in case. She was glad she had after the Wood Elves searched her bag and ruined Rohan’s . The problem was the lack of a water flask or cup. She pulled the jar from the waist of her pants and held it up. Everyone , including Rohan , perked up at the sight of it.

“ There’s no water flask,” he said.

Dain cupped his hands and walked to the waterfall to fill them with water. Then he stopped before Farah . She dropped a pinch of herbs into his hands and watched him drink. Arya was next, then Jai . She raised her brows to Rohan .

“ We may need that later,” he said.

She motioned to the waterfall with her head. “ We need it now. We have to be in top form before we go inside.”

Rohan pushed off the wall and got water in his hands. She gave him a bigger pinch than the others and watched him drink it down.

“ Your turn,” he said and plucked the jar from her hands.

Farah let the water fill her cupped palms and pressed her hands together so none spilled out. She made her way back to Rohan , who sprinkled the herbs into her hands. The water was cold but refreshing, and she drank every bit to make sure she downed all the herbs.

They sat, waiting for the effects to kick in. Rohan sat on the opposite side of the cave. She pulled her eyes away from him to the curtain of water that gushed past. The double moons lit up the falls, creating a mesmerizing effect. The force of the cascade, the sound, and the power was incredible. And this was only one of dozens of waterfalls that fell off the plateau.

Within thirty minutes, the herbs had restored them. There was a curious mix of agitation and anticipation. She looked at each of them, hoping they all made it out again.

Rohan headed toward the back of the grotto. “ The way is smooth, so you don’t need to worry about tripping on debris, but the tunnel is narrow and pitch-black. The descent is gradual but constant. Use your hands on the walls to help with the descent,” he said.

Dain , Jai , and Arya would be fine. It was just her and Rohan who would be all but blind in the tunnel. Rohan paused and looked at her as if he wanted to say something. Instead , he headed deeper into the darkness. Farah fell into formation behind him, followed by Arya , Jai , and then Dain at the rear. It became so dark that Farah had to put her hands out before they even reached the tunnel.

“ I’m at the passage now,” Rohan said over his shoulder.

The walls narrowed suddenly, and it felt as if everything was closing in around her. It had been dark before, but it got even darker. Within two steps, she couldn’t see her hand in front of her face. She stopped trying to see and relied on her hearing, which became easier the farther away from the waterfall she got.

It wasn’t long before she could pick out the footsteps of those behind her and even Rohan’s breathing. She let her fingers skim along the walls. If she thought about the crawly things that liked such places, it made her want to pull her arms against her body. Instead , she focused on the tunnel.

It had been made, which meant it had served a purpose once. The Star Elf who’d helped Rohan had known about it. And now, four others did, as well. Would it be good for a quick escape? Probably not. But it was a decent way to smuggle agents inside or get others out.

She tried to imagine where the shaft would end. It hadn’t been at the port. Though she didn’t know why they called it a port. The river didn’t reach them, and the ships were docked about a mile away through a long, winding hike. There was very little once the slaves were walked from the ship. Mortham was huge, with areas she hadn’t been able to scout. The passage must be in one of them. She could only hope it was someplace that wasn’t guarded. Otherwise , this might be a very short trip.

Rohan turned his head and whispered, “ Stop .”

She halted and told the others. Then , she listened to him feeling around for something. The sound of scraping metal filled the area. A door swung open soundlessly, and light poured in. Rohan stepped out of the tunnel and held the door for her. She followed him into the empty room as the others poured out of the passageway.

“ Now what?” Jai asked as Rohan shut the door.

Farah shrugged. “ I need to know what floor we’re on.”

“ Two ,” Rohan said from beside her.

She pulled at her soggy clothing, unsticking it from her skin. “ All right. The best bet is for me to get to a watch house. There is one located on each floor. Each station has ledgers with the names of those brought in by date, and records of what rooms they’re put into,” Farah explained.

Dain grunted. “ That will take some time to search.”

“ Then we’ll split up,” Arya suggested. “ Meet back here in half an hour?”

Jai nodded. “ I’ll take this floor. What names am I looking for?”

“ Nitya . Taken seven years ago,” Farah told him.

Rohan blew out a breath. “ Lata . Taken five months ago.”

“ I’ll go with Farah and head to level three,” Arya said.

Farah frowned. “ It would be better if we each took a floor.”

“ But we can shield you,” Dain pointed out.

Right . She had forgotten that part. “ Of course.”

Dain turned to Rohan . “ Ready ? We’ll take four.”

The shadows were closing in around Rohan when he reached out and grabbed her hand. His gaze was intense. “ Stay alive.”

“ You , too,” she replied and turned to leave.

Rohan pulled her back, but this time, he brought her against him and claimed her lips in a passionate, toe-curling kiss. Just as suddenly, he released her. Dain’s shadows encircled him, and they were gone.

Farah stared at the spot he had been for another few seconds, then turned to Arya and waited for the shadows.