Page 22 of Vampire United

But Flea does nothing. Her mouth twists into a sickly smile, and she throws back her head to laugh, exposing sharpened teeth.

Caleb digs at the dirt on top of him, but more fills in. He grunts as the weight presses against his chest. “Spider was never trapped down here, was he?”

“No, but you are.” She waves at Caleb, shakes her head, and giggles. “Orion sends you his regards, foolish Caleb and silly Nim.” Then she gestures to the edge, sending even more dirt cascading over them. They’re trapped under a magic mudslide, and they can’t do anything.

His groans already sound strangled, and he gasps between each breath. The next moment, he gets a mouthful of dirt, and it cuts off everything he had wanted to yell.

“Flea! Don’t leave us here,” he rasps.

But Flea doesn’t listen, and the ground piles on relentlessly. Being crushed to death, being buried alive is an awful way to go. He sucks at the air, fighting the weight of the filled-in pit.

Caleb’s thoughts stray to Nim, and he hopes her end comes swiftly. They’re both going to die here, and it’s all his fault. Light isn’t visible anymore, and Caleb imagines he can feel Flea dancing on their grave. Darkness circles his vision, and he knows he’s not getting enough oxygen.

Without success, he tries to summon his powers, but nothing happens. Nothing at all. He can’t save Nim, and he can’t save himself. What good is a lousy set of powers he can’t control?

He coughs and chokes on dirt as he inhales and it lodges in the back of his throat.

I’m sorry, Nim.

I’m sorry, Maddy.

He blinks rapidly, fighting the desire to pass out.

But it isn’t long and he’s finally giving in and letting his eyes close.

Just then, the soil over his face shifts, and a little light breaks through the dark. It’s as though hope shines on Caleb’s face.

“Hey! Help us!” he yells, as loudly, as strongly as he can.

More dirt is shoveled quickly away, as if by magic. He doesn’t know who it is, but he shouts as much encouragement as he can. “We’re down here! Save us!”

Nim better be alive. They’d come so close.

The last weight of dirt lifts away from his body, a face appears over the narrow trench he’s now lying in.

He peers up at…

Quinn!How can it be Quinn? How did she find them? So many questions tumble through his brain, bumping together until nothing makes sense.

It’s Quinn. Quinn has saved them both.

“Is Nim still alive?” Caleb calls.

“She is.”

Relief makes him sag against the ground. “Oh, thank god.”

Caleb’s overjoyed to be saved, but he doesn’t know whether he should be happy or sad to see Quinn here. He shakes his head. Of all the people…

It’s freakingQuinn!

Chapter11

Madeleine

Maddy paces the little room, her footsteps seeming loud against the large stones of the old floor. Caleb’s gone…somewhere. They don’t know where and what’s happening.

No one speaks, and everyone’s on edge. The tension in the room pulls at her. It’s too quiet, and it’s taking too long. She wrings her hands, and she can’t stop thinking about Caleb and wherever he’s gone.