"That's them," she stated.
"Where?" Xavier inquired in disbelief.
Her jaw clenched, there was a darkening of her eyes that only he would have recognized as fear. The last time she'd been in the caves, he had taken her from them. Just when he thought she was going to balk against telling them exactly where the caves were, she slipped silently from the woods.
They followed her, fanning out around her as she knelt before the rock wall. Her head tilted as she examined a cropping of bushes against the rock wall with an intensity that was a little unnerving given the fact it was simply a group of ferns and wild scrub. Then her small hands slid forward and parted the brush to reveal a sliver in the rock wall that was nearly indiscernible even without the brush covering it.
"No one has been here in months."
"How do you know?" Xavier asked her.
Her smile was fleeting. "I know."
Ashby looked about ready to protest but Xavier simply nodded. "Lead the way then."
"I'll lead the way," Braith told her. Xavier quirked an eyebrow at him, his head tilted to the side.
"I know the system Braith. Its fine, I'm certain no one has been here, at least not through this entrance, and the only other one is two miles from here."
"But there could still be someone in there," he asserted, pressing closer to her.
She shook her head as her eyes darted to the opening and then back to him. "It's unlikely. The other opening is in a meadow at the top of a hill. If it's even spotted, it appears to be more of a foxhole than an entrance to anything significant underground. There's no one in there Braith."
"Except bats," Ashby muttered not looking at all pleased by the notion.
"I'm still going before you." She opened her mouth to protest further but he cut her off. "You can guide me through Aria. Tell me which way to go."
"Ok," she agreed; her voice a little tighter than normal.
Her fingers brushed over his, before they wrapped around his index finger for a brief moment. His heart swelled with love. To hell with Xavier, it was too late anyway. He pulled her into him, cradling her as his fingers splayed across the back of her neck, savoring in the silken feel of her hair, and the suppleness of her body. Bending low, he pressed his lips to her ear. "Will you be ok in there?"
She nodded, her head turned toward his, her mouth brushed enticingly against his as she spoke. "Yes."
"We can find…" he started before she cut him off.
"I'll be fine."
Her hand flattened against him, a small exhalation escaped her as she closed her eyes and pressed closer to him. Time seemed to slow as she lifted her face to him, and her lips parted beneath his. He didn't care who was there with them, forgot about the reason that had driven them here as he lost himself to the soft pressure of her lips, the sweet taste of her mouth, and the quickening of her heartbeat.
For one long moment the only thing that existed was her, and then reality returned. It took everything he had to pull away. He pressed his lips to her forehead as he held her for a lingering moment. "I'll lead the way," he whispered.
She relented with a nod before she reluctantly released him. She didn't meet Xavier's gaze, but Braith did. Xavier's eyes were hooded with a gleam in them that Braith couldn't quite place. The wheels in Xavier's mind were turning, but it was impossible to decipher what it was the powerful vamp was thinking as he examined the two of them. It would only cause friction among the factions, but he would kill Xavier if he made one move toward Aria.
Taking hold of her hand, he turned sideways in order to fit through the small crevice in the face of the rock wall. For a moment he wasn't sure he would fit as he pushed himself further along. "It's cramped for the first hundred feet or so, but it opens up in a little bit." Aria seemed to have read his mind.
Ashby grunted in response, Xavier remained silent in the back. Aria's hand trembled in his, her palm was sweatier than normal but she forged steadfastly on behind him. Relief filled him when the walls released their grasp. Even with his enhanced night vision he had to strain to see the pathway before him as almost no light penetrated the thick rock walls.
"Wait." Aria released his hand suddenly. He grabbed for her as she moved forward, intending to pull her back, but she returned to his side almost immediately. "Hold this."
She thrust the handle of a torch into his hand and fumbled into the darkness for something else. He spotted what she was searching for and pulled the box of matches from a small hole tucked into a crevice of the cave. They huddled together as she fumbled with the matches and finally struck a spark. A small flicker of light played over the contours of her face before she pressed the flame to the end of the torch.
Fire blazed forth as she grinned at him. "Lead on."
The torch lit the dusty cobwebs of the tunnel and the solid rock floor beneath them. The air became mustier and colder the deeper they moved into the cave system. The faint drip drop of water could be heard in the distance, condensation coated the rocks around them. Aria's grip on him increased. Aria pointed out gates hidden secretly into the walls, heavy iron gates that could be swung shut in order to keep out invaders.
"No wonder the king couldn't squash the rebellion! You live like rats beneath the earth," said Ashby.
Braith halted as Aria stopped abruptly and turned to face Ashby. "We did what was necessary, what we were forced to do," she grated. "And we don't always live within the caves; most of the time we live within the woods and only resort to the caves when it becomes necessary."
Ashby chuckled quietly. He reached for her shoulder, glancing quickly at Braith he thought better of it and dropped his hand back to his side. "Easy tiger, I was just making a comment. Don't forget I was forced out too."
Aria stared at him for a long moment before Braith tugged gently on her arm, pulling her forward as even Xavier began to smirk with amusement. Braith had to admit that though Ashby had gone about saying it the wrong way, he completely agreed with him. The hidden nooks and security systems they had set into place down here were amazing. Though most of the tunnels were natural, there were manmade ones running throughout the cave system also. She'd said there was only one other exit, and he believed her. She wouldn't put them all at risk by lying about that, but there was far more to this cave system than she was revealing. Especially when she shut some of the iron doors while leaving others open.
"Do you know all of the cave systems?" Xavier inquired in his deep timbered voice.
"Not all of them, there are far too many for that, but a fair amount of them. We're almost to the center of the cave now."
Braith could sense an opening ahead even before he stepped into the massive cavern. "Bats," Ashby griped with a shudder as Braith's eyes landed upon the rodents lining the ceiling. He'd started to smell them awhile back, but the smell was worse within the large cavern. He didn't bother to look down; he knew the floor was coated with guano. The thought of staying here repulsed him, the fact that she had grown up among these caves disturbed him immensely.
No wonder she preferred the trees.
- CHAPTER 11 -
"You know, for an immortal vampire you're a bit of a wimp," Aria informed Ashby.
He flashed his dashing smile as he grinned. "I never said I wasn't."
As quietly as possible, so as not to wake the sleeping creatures, she closed three of the five gates. "They'll go out tonight." She pointed to the fourth gate. "That's the way out, when they leave to feed we'll lock it down and they won't be able to get back in."
"We're not staying here, are we?" Ashby inquired worriedly.
Aria shook her head. "No, we are not savages; we don't like the smell of guano any more than you do."
Braith squeezed her shoulder soothingly. "No one is saying that," he assured her.
Aria took a deep breath, trying to keep her control. It wasn't only their scrutiny and blatant revulsion that had her so wound up, but also the confining walls surrounding her. "I know," she said. "We always leave one of the
larger caverns blocked off so the bats can't get inside. This way."
Her nose wrinkled in disgust at the pungent aroma of the bat droppings as she picked her way over it, moving steadily toward the fourth gate. It had already been closed off. "I'll go," Braith was moving toward her but she held up her hand and shook her head.
"No Braith, I have to go through this time. Its booby trapped and I know where the triggers are." A low grumble of displeasure escaped him as he moved to intercept her. She'd already prepared herself for this argument. "I helped Daniel design a good portion of them, believe me it is far safer for me in there than you."
"Aria…"
"Stop being so stubborn," she interrupted. "Besides, at this point in time, your life is far more valuable than mine."
She realized immediately that had been the completely wrong thing to say. He seized hold of her, lifting her as he thrust his face into hers. The gentle man from outside was gone, before her was the vampire prince that was used to being obeyed and expected it from everyone, except for maybe her. "Don't you ever say that again!" he snapped so loudly that Ashby's gaze darted nervously to the top of the cave. "Your life is every bit as important as mine, if not more so…"
"Braith," she whispered. "You must lower your voice."
"Do you think I care about a bunch of flying rodents?"
"If they leave their perch they'll leave this cave. They'll attract attention Braith, you must calm down." She touched his arm lightly, looking to soothe him. "I know these caves Braith, I'll be fine."
His jaw clenched, his head bowed as he pressed his forehead against hers. "Your life is just as important. Without you, I'm nothing."
Her gaze darted nervously toward Xavier; Braith had just revealed too much, she knew it. A surge of protectiveness shot through her, her hands squeezed around Braith's arms as she stared fiercely at the dark vampire, daring him to say something, to do anything that would hurt Braith. She would be nearly useless against the powerful older vamp, but she would do everything she could to keep Braith safe.
"It's ok," he whispered against her ear. "It's too late anyway."
Aria shuddered, it was too late, their secret had been revealed to Xavier, and if they continued on it wouldn't be long before it was obvious to everyone. Terror coiled through her belly, it spread out to her limbs, leaving a trail of cold across her skin and within her muscles.
She pressed closer to him as her hands grasped at his flesh. She needed the physical contact like a drowning man needed air. A low sigh of relief escaped as her fingers encircled the thick steel of his arms. Beneath the wiry hair of his forearms his skin was smooth to the touch. It eased the tension within her.
She forced herself to release him as she took a small step away. "I can do this, I know the traps well. I'll be fine."
His eyes closed, she sensed his inner struggle, she braced herself for more of a battle but then his shoulders slumped and she knew she'd won. "I'm going to be right by your side."
She went to turn away but he pulled her back to him. He tenderly clasped hold of her face, cradling it with an ease that belied the power that radiated from him. He could crush her in an instant, yet he held her with the gentleness of someone who had just been handed the most fragile flower in the world. His lips were a light caress against hers, so faint that she barely felt the brush of them.
"Just as important, and don't you ever forget that, don't you ever say something like that again."
She swallowed heavily and managed a small nod. "I won't," she promised.
He continued to hold her, seemingly torn and unwilling to let her go. Finally he stepped back and released her. She felt a sense of loss that she couldn't shake. She didn't look at Xavier as she turned away from Braith and moved toward the closed fourth gate.
"How do you get it open?" Ashby's voice was hushed. She turned toward him, startled by the paleness of his skin that she didn't think was entirely due to the bats. His lips were pinched; his eyes shadowed and haunted as his gaze darted nervously away from hers.
"I have my secrets, and talents," she answered with a small wave of her fingers, hoping to coax his cocky smile back. He remained uncharacteristically solemn.
"That's for sure."
She frowned at Xavier as she studied him. She thought he had spoken those words, but she couldn't be certain. She took the torch from Braith as she ran her fingers over the wall. She found the tiny switch set back into the wall and pressed against it.
The thick metal door popped open with a hiss of stale air. It smelled even danker and mustier in there, but it didn't stop her as she pressed her hand against the solid iron door and pushed it the rest of the way open. "Ingenious," Ashby muttered.
Aria gulped as she stepped into the dark tunnel. It was ten steps to the first trap, a set of four stones set into the floor that when stepped on would fire a rapid release of stakes from the cave walls. "Should we shut this?" Xavier inquired.
"Yes. William knows how to open it and we all know Ashby won't appreciate it if a bat gets in."
"You got that right."
"There are four stones here." She pointed them out. "Don't step on them."
"What happens if we do?" Xavier inquired.
"Nothing good. I'll be right back." She had to set the traps off, she knew that. William was well aware of their location, but there was no way that all of those troops weren't going to hit at least one of them. "Stay here."
She could feel the apprehension radiating from Braith. "These traps are old…"
"Not that old, and Daniel is a genius, believe me they're still safe to maneuver through."
She could tell that he didn't want her to go but he fisted his hands at his sides, locked his jaw and managed to give her a brief nod to continue. Aria placed the torch into a socket in the wall; she would not need it on the other side. She moved through the tunnel, avoiding the stones with ease. Reaching the safety of the solid rock, she knelt as her fingers sought out the small switch carved into the bottom of the cave and set about six inches back from the bottom.
"Move back," she told them.
Braith hesitated for a moment before pushing Xavier and Ashby back. When she was certain they were well out of the way she flipped the switch. Stakes exploded from the wall in a puff of dust and air that made it impossible to see the three of them on the other side. Ashby and Xavier cursed loudly.
"Aria!" Braith shouted.
"I'm fine," she assured him. He was gradually coming back into view as the dust began to settle. Though most of the stakes littered the ground, some had embedded themselves into the crevices of the rock wall. Ashby was gawking as he searched the scattered stakes; even Xavier's normally calm exterior seemed ruffled. "It's safe now."
Though Xavier and Ashby hesitated, Braith strode rapidly forward. His displeasure was evident, his tension high as his arm wrapped around her waist. "How many more of these traps are there?" Xavier inquired as he and Ashby picked their way carefully through the stakes.
"Ten."
"Crap," Ashby muttered.
"I can dismantle them all, don't worry."
Xavier's dark eyes were intense as he studied her. "You helped the man that designed these?"
"I had a hand in some of it, but for the most part he created them."
"Is this Daniel someone in your family?"
Aria wasn't surprised by Xavier's acute insight but she still didn't like it. "Yes, my brother."
He nodded for a brief moment; his eyes darted over the cave walls. "That little talent will come in handy."
"It will," Braith agreed. "How far until the next one?"
"Thirty feet."
"Lead the way."
Aria sighed in relief as he remained resigned to let her do what was necessary.
- CHAPTER 12 -
It took almost two painstaking hours but eventually Aria was able to dismantle all of the traps. She was exhausted and on edge by the time they finally made their way into another large cavern that was entirely bat free
; a fact that Ashby commented happily upon. The torchlight played over the dark recesses as Aria made her way around, gathering other torches from their sconces in the wall.
"This tunnel will lead back into the main exit." She took hold of Braith's hand, running it over the wall until she found the switch. "This will open the gate when pressed."
Xavier and Ashby pressed closer, they murmured between each other as Ashby held the torch high to inspect the area she had just shown Braith. Aria left the three of them to marvel over the intricacies within the caves.
Her throat was dry and her clothes stuck to her as she made her way to the supply room at the end of another tunnel. There was another gate here but the key for it hung beside the door. There was no need to keep humans from taking what they might require. Grasping the key she lifted the light, frowning as she realized that the gate was unlocked. They never left the supply rooms open just in case an animal managed to get this far.
She grasped hold of the iron bars and pulled the gate open as she lifted the torch high. A set of wild and crazed pale blue eyes blazed out at her. A startled gasp escaped as she took a hasty step back. It was a man, of that much she was certain, but she wasn't sure exactly what kind of a man it was anymore. His skin was abnormally pale; he seemed unaccustomed to light as he blinked rapidly against the flame of the torch.
Revulsion filled her as his lips skimmed back to reveal a mouth riddled by missing gaps and rotten teeth. The torch slipped from her suddenly numbed fingers as the man leapt from the bags of stored grain. He seemed more animal than human as he rushed at her. Stunned, it took Aria a moment to realize that she was in jeopardy, that this person, this thing had every intention of attacking her.
A startled cry escaped her, she grasped hold of the gate and heaved it with every ounce of strength she had. It was too late though. The man slammed into the gate, ripping it from her grasp as he shoved it back open. Aria swung her fist up, connecting forcefully with his jaw, snapping his head to the side as he launched at her. Hands skimmed down her body, grasping and pulling as he tried to secure his hold on her.