Whispers of Dragons

Chapter 8

I followed Will as we silently weaved our way through the streets. Even though I was familiar with the city, we took so many turns and back streets that I found myself disoriented after around ten or so turns. Apparently, Will's definition of 'not too far' was very different from mine.

Eventually, I started zoning out and getting lost in my thoughts. I wondered how long it would take for the council to start sending out guards to look for us and my question was answered when I ran into Will's back. He reached back to steady me and put a finger to his lips to tell me to remain silent. He peered around the corner and watched for a couple of minutes before grabbing my hand and pulling me along as he sprinted across the street and into yet another back alley.

As we slowed from a sprint to a jog, I whispered to Will, "What just happened?"

"There were guards patrolling the streets. I don't think they're looking for us specifically because the guards seemed fairly relaxed but I'd rather not have anyone see us just in case." I nodded in agreement as we walked briskly down the long, empty alley. About halfway through, Will slowed his pace and stopped. I looked around at my surroundings but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Bricks lined the alleyway and there weren't any doors or garbage bins to crowd the narrow space.

Will's brow furrowed in concentration as he looked closely at the wall. I let my mind wander until I remembered something.

"Oh no," I gasped. Will looked up startled and glanced quickly at both of the entryways to the alley before following my gaze to the wall.

"What?" He asked, alarmed. I met his gaze and he seemed surprised to see the fear in my eyes.

"My best friend, Jake. When Conor tells the rest of the council we escaped, they'll think Jake had something to do with it. Oh gosh, what if they decide to punish him for our escape? They don't listen to reason. Even if he's innocent they'll still blame him. Oh gosh this is not good. We need to go back. I need to get him." I started hyperventilating. Will squeezed my hand and I looked down, shocked to see we had never let go.

"We can't go back. By now, the council is sure to know we left which means they'll have extra guards patrolling all exits, entrances, and even hallways in the castle. Even if we go back in through the secret passage, we'd be walking into a heavily armed area and there'd be no guarantee we'd be able to get out again. Plus... they might already have him anyway." Will reluctantly stated. I shook my head.

"Jake's out. He's not in the castle, he had to go to..." I trailed off. Will raised his brow.

"Had to go to..." He prompted.

"Had to go to attend to personal matters." I finished stupidly. No way was I going to tell him that Jake was at another mages' meeting. Even if I was stuck going to meet his sources, there was no reason to inform said sources that Jake was a mage as well. Will gave me a look that said he knew I was lying but dropped the matter.

"If he's out of the castle then there should be no reason to go back to get him." Will stated.

"But what if he goes back? I need to find him at least and warn him not to go back." I pleaded.

"How about this," Will started. "After you meet my sources, I'll take you to find him or if he's being held hostage, to rescue him." I stared warily at him. He put a hand over his heart. "I give you my word." I nodded in agreement.

"Ok, ok." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "How much farther until we get there?" I questioned, meeting his gaze. He smirked.

"We're there." Will said smugly. I dramatically looked around at the alley.

"Really? Are you telling me you're sources are in one of these little bricks right around here?" I mocked.

"Exactly right!" Will said proudly while I looked at him like he was an idiot. Before I could protest, Will held up one finger to tell me to wait before using that same finger to press the corner of what seemed like a random brick in the wall. To my surprise, the brick gave and the circular indent that formed revealed the fact that it was a hidden button.

"You guys and you're hidden buttons." I grumbled as I moved closer to examine the brick. In a shade of red slightly darker that the color of the brick sat a symbol, so small that if you didn't know to look for it, it would look just look like another shadow in the brick. Will pulled me back away from the wall as the bricks began to melt together until they became a solid red door in the wall. I stared in awe.

"I thought you said you didn't have magic," I questioned Will with my voice full of wonder.

"I don't," Will started. "But I never said my sources didn't." Will finished smugly. I jumped when I saw a slat in the door open to reveal a pair of dull green eyes with wrinkles surrounding them. Much to my dismay, I jumped again when the slat closed. So much for appearing as a brave warrior.

Before I even had time to gasp, the door opened and two sets of arms reached out into the alley to grab Will and I. The arms pulled us through the door and I heard it slam behind us just before the world fell into darkness.