Pushing out the power within me, my amethyst mist spread out, eagerly finding its way to the wall. The mist represented my will – an extension of my angelic side that I was still learning to master. Before our eyes, the wall dissolved, revealing a new passageway.
The power that had created this hidden tunnel was the work of exiles. And they’d been down here for a long time.
‘Son of a bitch,’ Spence whispered, obviously sensing the same thing. ‘They’ve got the run of the whole city down here.’
We walked through the passage, checking behind a number of doorways that led to more tunnels. ‘Oh man, right under the Academy’s nose.’
‘They don’t know about these?’
Spence shook his head in awe.
‘Maybe this isn’t something we should be the ones to tell them about,’ I added.
Spence lifted an eyebrow sarcastically. ‘You think?’
We both knew Josephine would not believe us. It also raised the question: Who was running this labyrinth? Lilith had only just returned to New York so it stood to reason another exile or group of exiles was responsible.
We followed the power trail along the tunnel, moving quickly and quietly until we came to an archway that opened into another wider tunnel, the ground lined with railway tracks and further up a raised platform. It must’ve been the abandoned subway station Spence had mentioned. Olivier’s towering silhouette was unmistakable.
‘We have to separate Olivier from the kid first …’ Spence started to say.
I nodded. Olivier could snap that boy’s neck faster than lightning. We were almost at the station and it was going to be hard to get closer to him without him sensing us.
Remaining on the tracks, we crouched below the edge of the deserted platform and watched Olivier pace back and forth. Dim lights revealed the station as quite beautiful – green-and-cream square tiling lined the curved tunnel walls, while the ceiling was decorated with leadlight glass patterns. A secret treasure beneath the city.
‘What’s he waiting for?’ Spence asked just as a breeze lifted a stray strand of hair around my face and my breath caught. I gripped his arm without realising.
‘Shit, Eden. Want to ease off a little?’ he whispered, trying to pull his arm away. But when I didn’t he put a hand on my shoulder. ‘What?’
Jasmine and musk. That’s what.
I felt the blood drain from my face. ‘Phoenix is coming,’ I hissed.
Olivier is waiting for Phoenix.
‘Well … That changes things. What now?’ Spence asked. It was obvious the two of us were not going to be able to take on the two of them and save the little boy – especially when Phoenix could take me out with a simple thought.
The wind picked up. We shuffled back into our hiding place, watching as Phoenix arrived.
He was in a fitted black suit and polished black shoes. His hair had grown longer and it still rippled in that way it did – something powerful emanating from every strand, roots so dark they were purple and some sparkling silver to give that opal effect. The result was as dazzling as ever. In spite of all logic, my heart started to thump in my ears.
Phoenix slid his hands into his pockets. His confidence was coming off him in waves. I’d never seen him like this. So detached and yet… composed, with a rigid determination that frightened me even more than his usual arrogance and manipulative game-playing.
He looked Olivier up and down without even casting an eye in the direction of the still-unconscious boy.
He’s so cold.
Even after everything that had happened, I never would’ve believed Phoenix would be so devoid of emotion for a beaten child.
I was furious at his behaviour but it made me sad more than anything else. A tear formed in the corner of my eye.
Phoenix’s jaw seemed to tense and he tilted his head to the side as if he’d heard something.
I held my breath, realising my mistake. Time stood still.
Idiot!
Desperately, I tried to lock down my thoughts. But it was too late. I’d just sent him my own personal emo-signature. Phoenix knew I was there.
I braced for the attack… But it didn’t come. He simply turned his attention back to Olivier.
‘Any problems?’ Phoenix asked in a controlled tone.
Olivier grinned wickedly. ‘None. Left the kid’s place on fire. No one will track him.’
Phoenix nodded.
Why isn’t he telling Olivier I’m here?
Phoenix paced the platform, his steps crisp against the concrete. ‘I thought I told you not to beat the prisoners,’ he said calmly, still not even glancing towards the boy. Or me.
Olivier shrugged. ‘What do you care? We’re just going to execute them once she’s had her fun, anyway. She said she doesn’t care what we do to them as long as they’re still breathing. He’s still breathing.’
In a flash, Phoenix grabbed Olivier by the neck, single-handedly hoisting him up against a wall.
‘You answer to me!’ he growled.