CAGED (#3, of Crows and Thorns)

Chapter 90

Kenton was on fucking overkill with the number of bodyguards escorting me through the bustling terminal. I was traveling amidst a small army. An army I didn't need, but I followed protocol like a precious little heir whose parents were terrified he'd be abducted and put up for ransom.

As much as it irritated me, I got it. My entire family was at risk now that the Children of the Harbinger knew we possessed Nelle. If they got hold of one of my brothers, they'd use him to leverage her freedom. If I ever got in their sights, they'd go for my head. My death was the only way to free Nelle from the threat of the Alverac.

Grudgingly, I respected my brother's wishes.

I'd changed into my armor in the back of the limousine as we drove to the subway, buckling my weapons to my body, cinching and tucking in loose straps of leather, ensuring the bandoleer was a tight fit. And now, down here in narrow, cramped confines, the guards and I traversed the subway's rusted maintenance corridors, passing the pair of men who'd sent messages to me on behalf of Mela and my Second-In-Command, Jiao Zhang. Since our cell phones wouldn't work down here, there were teams strung throughout the catacombs, set up in a relay system, so messages could be passed from team to team to reach those stationed here above ground. More importantly, this team was set up so I could inform Sirro the moment I captured Yezekael.

We reached the ancient stone door leading to the catacombs. Stone scraping stone raked at my inner ears as the door swung open and we plunged into darkness. The bodyguards kept pace with me as we jogged through the tunnels and down crumbling steps, only because I'd slowed right the fuck down so they could keep up.

Strobes of light from the guards' flashlights stroked the walls. Water dripped down the jagged stone to pool on the pitted floor. The sound of our rapid approach spiraled out into the vast cavern as we reached the chasm that gouged the catacombs like a fat blade and split apart the honeycombed layers of tunnels.

The ancient voice of the Uzrek infiltrated my mind—Yezekael's on his way.

Like a dumbass, I asked—Now?

I could sense the smile in the Uzrek's voice as he murmured—Faster, Wyrm Tamer, if you want to get inside the hide before he arrives.

Hellsgate.

Urgency was a shot of adrenaline stabbed into my heart. Now. I had to go fucking now!

I launched into a run, stretching my legs long, my footfall echoing as I headed straight for the chasm, with the sound of startlement and vexation coming from my army of guards as I shot past them.

One stride—

Two—

A third—

The muscles in my thighs bunched and then released.

Loose rock rattled into the abyss as I leaped off the edge of the chasm, feeling nothing beneath my feet as I soared through the air.

Fucking glorious!