Moon Angel

Chapter 41: Underground

A short corridor at the bottom of the stairs led to a heavy door. I peered through the small window in the middle, checking that there was no one in the corridor before opening the door.

The corridor was dimly lit, making it easier to see.

As I entered the passageway on the other side of the door, the device in my pocket started to pulse faster. I took it out of my pocket, trying to understand what it meant. A small ring of light had appeared on the surface of the orb and was spinning furiously. I took a few steps back and the ring of light moved to a different place on the ball. I took a few more steps in a different direction and the position of the circle changed again, always moving to point to the same side of the room. It seemed like it was a compass, pointing the direction that I should go. I didn't know what else I was supposed to do, so I followed it.

I was surprised by how empty the corridors were. I had expected to be confronted by at least two or three guards by now. But the corridors remained still and silent. Maybe there weren't as many Elvirans here as I had first thought.

I turned down another corridor. The place was like a maze. Without the orb giving me directions, I wouldn't have had a hope of finding Cyra. The orb's light spun to the left, as I passed a heavy wooden door.

I turned towards the door, and the orb pulsed even faster. I must have been close. There was a small barred window in the door, but I couldn't see much through it.

I pushed on the door and it swung open, with only a slight resistance. I slipped into the room on the other side, closing the door behind me. There were no lights on this side of the door, and even with my night vision, it was hard to see. I had to let my eyes adjust for a few seconds before I could make out what was in the room.

I was standing in a corridor that was lined by metal bars. I realised that I'd walked into a prison of some sort. It made sense that if Cyra was anywhere, it would be here.

At first I thought the row of cells were empty, but then I saw a figure lying at the back of one of the cells. Since it was so dark, I had almost missed her. I ran down the passageway, leaning against the bars to try and get close to her. "Cyra!" I exclaimed. She didn't move. The orb was pulsing furiously now. I shook the bars but as I guessed the cell locked tight. I searched my pockets and was relieved to find my lock picks still stashed in the lining of my jacket. It didn't take long to unlock the cell, but as I was in a rush, I kept fumbling. It finally clicked, and I threw the door open, rushing to her side. I set the orb down beside her. I didn't know how to turn it off, but at least it provided more light to the situation. Cyra lay unconscious on the floor, facing the wall. She was still in the same clothes that I had seen her wearing in the vision, but the back of her t-shirt was torn with what looked like whip marks, just between her shoulder blades and wings. I sat down and moved her head onto my lap. She was still warm and just breathing. There were bruises on her face and arms, but no other marks as far as I could see. It was understandable since she was a healer, but with the amount of dried blood on her clothes, it was obvious she had been through a lot.

"What have they done to you?" I whispered. I tried to wake her up, but it was no use. She was out cold. I hoped that she would come round soon, but I couldn't wait any longer down here. Someone was bound to check on her sooner or later. I pocketed the orb and slid my arms under her back and legs, careful of her wings. She felt so small and fragile as I stood up, her legs dangling, her body heavy. She was frightfully thin. What if she never woke up? What if I was too late?

A slice of light entered the room as the door opened, revealing a figure standing sideways in the doorway. It appeared he was listening to someone.

He hadn't seen me yet. I gently placed Cyra back onto the ground, hoping he wouldn't notice the movement in the dark. If I had to fight, I couldn't do it with her in my arms. The figure turned around, taking in the room and began to stroll down the passage between the cells.