Bloody Curse | Book Two of Blood Trilogy

Chapter 29

Caleb 

My gut instinct when we arrived at the entrance to the tunnels was to lead the way and grow protective of the entire group, even though they could all fend for themselves. I growled internally because something hurt but I couldn't pinpoint it. It was probably just the atmosphere of entering the home of Shadows. 

Soon enough, we will have the young prince reunited with his family and I will be reunited with mine. Goosebumps grew on my arms and I shivered. It had felt like eternity since the last time I saw my wife and baby and since I knew exactly where they were, I would go straight to them after this rescue mission. 

I held up a fist to stop the group behind me from taking another step. There were dry leaves scattered along the ground. I wasn't sure if we had eyes on us right now, but increasing that risk didn't seem to be a great option. 

Asher appeared from over my shoulder in a split second. His breathing was heavy and I could hear his heart pounding in the dead silence. 

"If we go two at a time, then we can watch one's back. I think we should travel in pairs to be more safe." He noted in a hushed voice. I nodded to his logic and turned to the guards awaiting my orders. 

"Pick a partner." I whispered and they immediately chose the person who was standing beside them. I looked at Violet and Asher. I was stuck with them when they meet face-to-face with their son again. "Let's go." 

I threw the trapdoor open and it flung back onto the ground with a loud 'thud'. Asher then offered a hand down to the dark hole that seemed endless. 

"After you." He looked directly at me. I used my elbow to mask my face from the smell that radiated from the hellhole. Violet coughed a couple time before I dropped down. 

My eyes adjusted quickly to the lack of light in these musty tunnel ways. Nothing had changed from the last time the rescue team came for Violet. She dropped down beside me and covered her face as well. Then Asher. And then the rest of the crew. 

"I say we split up but keep an eye out for anything threatening. Don't blink longer than a second because these guys are sly and can possess you within that same second." I instructed and listened to my deep voice echoing along the hallowed ceilings and walls. 

Violet grew eager so she led the way in one direction while Cameron, Derek, and the other guys branched off into their own tunnel. 

I followed her with Asher by my side. We made sure that not even a single footstep hit the ground too hard. I peeked at the other man and he was walking with his gaze straightforward, only occasionally traveling to his wife's back. I then turned behind us to check if anything was out of place from where we came from, but nothing was there, so it was all paranoia. 

"Wait, Asher." I paused then laid a hand on his chest. His heart beat loudly against my fingertips. "Why are we not hearing any clicks or smelling that stench anymore?" I asked. His eyes wandered from mine to the moistened floor below us. I followed his gaze but couldn't pinpoint why he was staring down at it. 

"We'll soon find out, I guess." He whispered back at me. Violet remained silent but her eyes wandered from one end of the tunnel to the next. She was definitely anxious and I couldn't blame her for it. 

"Let's go." She replied in a depressive tone. I sighed then removed my hand with a slight nod. 

We strolled quietly in a row until Violet paused, then Asher, and then I. Before us was an opening which forked into two more tunnels. Surely they were all connected and the group would reunite sooner or later, but there was no guarantee.