Page 70 of A Bond So Deadly

Ashton.

Freya.

With every name I read, the air feels heavier. In some places, there are prayers or pleas carved into the stone, but otherwise, it’s all names.

I trace them with my finger, wondering which of these names belongs to the student who was with Jensen. There are so many names. How many students were taken?

Then I come across a name that makes my heart stop beating for a second.

Leira.

I blink at the scrawled letters, wondering if I’m seeing things, but the name is still there. Leira. I trace my fingertips over each letter. L-e-i-r-a.

“She was here,” I murmur to the shadows. “Kenzie’s friend. Or at least, someone who has the same name.”

I know this doesn’t change anything. Even if Leira is alive, she’s likely in the same condition as Jensen. But there’s something about seeing her name that chases away a little bit of the darkness. Kenzie had always talked about Leira being clever and strong-willed, and as ridiculous as it sounds, just knowing she’s here somewhere makes me feel a little less alone.

I continue on, scouring the wall until I come to another name that makes me pause.

Jensen.

Each letter is carved so deep it’s like he went over the same spot again and again. My heart tightens as I think about my friend, and I rub his ring. “We’re going to find a way out of this,” I say as if Jensen can hear me. “Somehow.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

~ Knox ~

My sword cleaves into a massive creature, sinking deep into the wrinkled folds of its chest with a sickening squelch. Its multiple eyes close as it falls to the ground with a loud thud.

I yank out my sword and wipe the blood from my blade before turning to face the others.

“I hate those things,” my brother comments, standing beside another creature’s dead body. “You’d think they’d get the hint that we’re not on the menu.”

Thane sheaths his sword, and Galen retrieves his blade from another beast. Dozens of the creatures are dead around us.

Raith lifts his hand, squinting against the sunlight as he peers into the distance. Scorched earth surrounds us as far as the eye can see, steam rising from the cracks in the ground. “It’s like we’ve fuckin’ gone to hell,” he comments, sweat sliding down his brow.

I clench my jaw. “Where are we, Galen?” The ground trembles beneath our boots, and I scowl, knowing more of the creatures are digging their way to the surface. “Shade’s not here.”

Galen frowns as he holds Shade’s portal ring out in front of him. “I told you I could get us to the Xalgrith realm. I never said the portal would take us directly to Shade.”

A growl leaves Bonfang’s throat, and our animali prowl around us, waiting for the next wave of creatures to attack.

Kazer moves his snout over one of the cracks in the ground, and he jerks back just before a jet of steam shoots into the air.

“There must be a way to portal directly to her,” Thane rumbles, looking just as frustrated as I am. It’s already been hours since Shade was taken, and with every moment that passes, my patience dwindles.

“Queen Blake said this ring was forged specifically for Shade,” Thane growls. “Surely there’s a connection.”

Galen continues studying the ring. “Perhaps. This would be easier if we had more time.”

“Except that we don’t,” I say coldly.

“What do you think they’re doin’ to her?” Raith asks, voicing the question that’s on all our minds.

No one answers.

I don’t let myself think about how they might be torturing my mate. If I do, I’ll lose my hold on the last bit of control I’m hanging on to.