Page 140 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“I know you do. I’m proud of you.” Faolan vanished before I could reply.

I turned down the passage, going over and over, my story in my head. This relied on our timing. If Emrys moved too quickly before I got the keys, the alarm would be raised and my story would fall apart. We had to do every part of this with precise timing and all play our parts so we could escape.

I nodded in respect when I entered the controlled substance room. “I need the keys to the glass room. We are running low in the clinic.”

The storekeeper didn’t even look up at me. He flipped a page in his ledger and wrote something down. “How many are you taking?”

“I need half a dozen enchanted vials, ten jars, and two dozen bottles.” I let a few seconds pass, then said, “Oh! I need to restock the herbs for the clinic so they are fresh for the alchemists in the morning.” Something I’d already done earlier, but since the shift change, it shouldn’t be noticed, and if it was, I had a story for that, too. “I’m so forgetful sometimes. Working so late makes me so forgetful.”

He looked up at me for the first time. “I feel you. Third shift is rough and you’re new, aren’t you?”

I nodded. “It’s a lot to remember.”

“But you did. Might as well do them together. Less walking.”

“Too true.” My heart hammered in my ears, making it almost impossible to hear him.

He nodded, scribbling numbers into columns. “Take a basket, and here is the key. It’s enchanted to open all the storeroom doors for the next hour. Get what you need and send me a note with what you used before morning.” He pushed a key across the desk.

“Thank you so much.” I plucked the key off the table and took one of the baskets off the stack.

“You’re welcome.”

I hurried off, going to the right rooms in case anyone lingered around, and also to buy time to not look like I was loitering. I busied myself until the stone clicked with the signal.

I had to stop myself from sprinting to the passage. Making my pace as slow as possible, running through my excuses over and over if I was stopped. Why I needed to be in these rooms. I’d gotten lost looking for some elderflower. I’d completely missed them in the other room.

I exhaled, almost crying with relief, when I came to the door and unlocked it, finding Emrys and Drystan on the other side. Drys had a bag slung over his shoulder, and I didn’t ask.

We didn’t exchange a word as I led them to the other exit.

“Firefly,”Jaxus’ voice broke into my mind as I used the key to open the final door.“I’m sorry. I love you.”

I spun around like he’d be behind me.“Where are you? What happened?”

“I had to save Faolan.”His voice was strangled and laced with fear.

“What’s happening?”I pleaded. The others watching me communicate with my mate with fear in their eyes.

“Faolan lost his footing and—it’s too much to explain. But I don’t know if I can get out of this, my love. There’s sand all around, and I’m sinking.”He tried to keep his tone even, but he couldn’t lie to me mind to mind.

“How deep is it?”

“At my chest. Faolan went to look for something to help. It’s closing in, Kiera. I can’t breathe.”

“Where are you?”

“Half way down the other exit.”

I could retrace their steps and get to the vessel chamber andfind them—I worked through it. “You two go. I need to go back.”

“What happened?” Emrys was inches away, and I hadn’t even noticed.

“Jaxus is in trouble. He’s trapped.”

“Where?” Drys demanded.

“Along his exit route. This key is the only way to get to him,” I said, trying to control my breathing.