As I wandered down the corridors, I'd forgotten where I was going. When it finally hit me that I was lost again, I heaved a sigh and began to pay attention to my surroundings. I made a few lefts and then some rights until, eventually, I recognized a hallway. I wasn't sure exactly where I was, but I knew I'd seen it before. I went further down to the small, plain-looking door but when I tried it, it was stuck. I glanced left and right but had no idea where else to go so I pushed against it with magic until it finally gave, opening into damp darkness. I flicked a flame over my palm and directed the fire forward to light the cellar.
I couldn't figure how I'd been so certain a storage cellar was the right door, but as soon as I'd decided to give up and keep walking through the maze of corridors, I spotted a large metal plate leaning against the back wall. I stepped closer to examine the embossed design and, when I reached out to run my fingers over the snake that seemed to writhe in the beak of the hawk, I found myself grabbing the entire sheet instead, pulling it loose from the gear that lay at its base.
I tossed it aside and stared directly into a tunnel.
Chapter Ten
Findings
Before I could stop myself, I stepped into the passageway and hurried down the steps. I'd brought the flame with me, though I couldn't see more than a few feet ahead. Somehow, it didn't slow my feet. They were confident, as if they knew the way, and I followed them without doubt, stepping faster and faster as I approached... what? Where was I going?
My question slowed me just before I broke through to sunlight. As I stepped from the passageway and around the large gray stones, I became cautious. I cleared the rocks and surveyed the land below. No one was in sight so I glanced up behind me to be sure I couldn't be viewed from there. I couldn't even see the entry to the tunnel now, the stones masking it perfectly, but I knew where it was.
I spun and leaped down to the flat rocks, running low toward the path. It wasn't long before I'd found it and was able to pick up speed on the smoother surface. I sensed that I was close just before I heard the barely perceptible pad of paws hitting stone, matching my pace.
I stopped instantly and turned to find a massive silver wolf, watching me as he ran, leaping from stone to stone. Only a few strong strides and he was to me, his massive paws landing with a muffled thump on the tall rock that hovered beside the trail. He stared down at me and, though I wasn't precisely afraid, I knew I'd been caught. And I didn't even know where I was going.
I just stood, looking back at him, both of us as unmoving as the stone surrounding us for a long moment. And then I heard them.
Great. I smirked up at the wolf as Chevelle, faster than I would have believed possible, closed the distance first and grabbed my arm from behind, spinning me to face him.
His agitated interrogation began with a few choice expletives and ended in a gravelly, "What were you thinking?"
I had no idea how to answer, because I hadn't been thinking. But as I looked into his eyes, I didn't even attempt an explanation because just below the anger, I could see something else, relief. Rhys, Rider, and Grey were watching us and I couldn't help but glance at them, which caused Chevelle to ease his grasp, though he didn't let go, and turn to escort me back up the path.
I hadn't the slightest notion of how far I'd gone until the walk back to the castle. I was exhausted, though I was unsure whether it was the intense practice session, or getting caught. Chevelle still had a hold of my arm when we accessed the castle through a concealed entryway and, while this one wasn't a tunnel, I wondered how many of them there were.
Ruby was waiting on us at the door. "Well no wonder she's uneasy around us," she chided as she spotted his grip on me. His gaze narrowed on her and I could see that he was still genuinely angry. I didn't know if it was compounded by her reminder of Grey's comment or if it was merely that he'd left me alone with my guard and they hadn't guarded me.
I was disappointed when they led me to the dining area, because I really only wanted to go to bed, but I didn't complain. I sat quietly as a servant brought out trays full of meat and when I realized it was one I'd never seen before, my stomach twisted. What had I been thinking?
"What is it?" Ruby asked and I became aware that I was shaking my head in disbelief. At myself.
"I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry." I swallowed hard. They stared back at me, mystified. I kept talking. "I was just walking and I got lost and then I was outside and... I'm sorry." No one spoke. "I won't do it again," I promised.
Steed snickered and Grey shook his head and then they both went back to eating. Ruby stared at me blankly for a minute and then grabbed an apple from the tray in front of her and disregarded everything else. I turned to Chevelle, my gaze restating the apology.
He stared back at me.
I had that feeling again, like he was about to reach out to me, or confess something, but he didn't. And when he didn't take his eyes off me, I flushed and had to turn away. Rhys was pouring wine and I snatched up a glass and downed it before I could think better of it.