Chapter 18: The Smuggler’s Path

Chapter 18: The Smuggler's Path

Silvia's POV

The tunnel smelled of damp earth and rusting metal, the air thick with the scent of stagnant water. Silvia crouched beside Dragon in the darkness, her fingers tingling with the restrained energy of her magic. The group of smugglers ahead were still unaware of their presence, murmuring among themselves, their lantern casting eerie shadows against the tunnel walls.

"So, do we sneak past or crash the party?" Dragon whispered, his voice barely audible over the quiet drip of water echoing through the tunnel.

Silvia glanced at the group. They didn't seem like enforcers or mercenaries—just a band of traders moving illicit goods. Still, that didn't mean they wouldn't sell them out if given the chance.

"We go around," Silvia decided. "No need to get involved unless we have to."

Dragon raised a brow. "Look at you making the responsible choice. I'm so proud."

She elbowed him lightly in the ribs before motioning for him to move. Keeping low, they crept along the curved tunnel wall, taking a path along the edge where the shadows were deepest. The smugglers, too focused on their own conversation, didn't notice them slipping by.

They were almost clear when Dragon's boot knocked a loose metal pipe, sending it clattering across the stone floor.

The smugglers froze. Then—

"Who's there?" one of them barked, drawing a pistol from his belt. The others tensed, hands reaching for weapons.

Silvia swore under her breath. So much for slipping by unnoticed.

A Delicate Negotiation

Silvia stepped forward, hands raised. "Relax, we're just passing through."

The smuggler narrowed his eyes, the lantern light catching the scar that ran across his cheek. "Through our tunnel? Not without paying a toll."

Dragon crossed his arms, grinning. "Pretty sure you don't own this tunnel."

Scarface clicked his tongue. "Right now, I do. And I don't like uninvited guests."

The tension thickened. Silvia felt the heat of her magic pulse in her palms, but she hesitated to use it—starting a fight in the enclosed space could bring the whole tunnel down on top of them. Think, Silvia. Don't escalate.

"We don't have time for this," she said, keeping her voice level. "Let us pass, and we'll pretend we never saw you."

The smuggler smirked. "That's not how this works. You want through? You either pay up or make yourself useful."

Dragon sighed dramatically. "Let me guess—you need something stolen, don't you?"

Scarface grinned. "Smart man. We've got a shipment stuck behind a patrol checkpoint. We need a distraction to get it through. You help us, and we'll let you pass."

Silvia groaned. "You realize we're on the run, right?"

"All the more reason to help. You scratch our back, we don't stab yours. Deal?"

Silvia glanced at Dragon, who was already smirking. "Fine," she muttered. "What's the plan?"

The Heist

The checkpoint sat at the tunnel's far end, a set of heavy iron bars manned by three guards. They wore the insignia of the Iron Vultures, a private security force known for its brutality. If they were here, that meant this tunnel wasn't as forgotten as the smugglers had hoped.

"That's a lot of firepower for a simple toll stop," Silvia muttered, peering around the crates they were using as cover.

Dragon nodded. "They're waiting for someone. That means they'll be extra twitchy."

Scarface handed Silvia a small satchel. "Flash bombs. Toss one over, make some noise, and we'll handle the rest."

Silvia weighed the satchel in her hand. "Subtle."

"That's not really our style," Dragon admitted with a grin.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, but if this gets us killed, I'm haunting you."

Dragon winked. "Noted."

She crept closer to the checkpoint, careful to keep low. With a practiced flick of her wrist, she lobbed one of the bombs over the crates. It exploded with a deafening bang, blinding white light filling the tunnel.

Shouts rang out. The guards scrambled, weapons raised.

"Now!" Scarface yelled, his crew charging forward.

Dragon was right beside them, moving like a shadow, taking down a guard with a swift elbow to the jaw. Silvia followed, fire crackling around her fingers as she sent a controlled burst of heat at another guard's weapon, forcing him to drop it.

Within moments, the checkpoint was in chaos, the smugglers rushing their contraband through while the remaining guards either fled or were subdued.

Scarface clapped Dragon on the back. "Nice work. You two ever want a job, look me up."

Silvia dusted off her coat. "Pass."

He laughed. "Your loss. Now go. Before reinforcements show up."

On the Road Again

They emerged from the tunnel into the open night, the air cool against Silvia's skin. In the distance, she could see the faint glimmer of a caravan preparing to leave.

Dragon stretched. "Well, that was fun."

Silvia groaned. "You have a terrible definition of fun."

He smirked. "You love it."

She shoved him lightly. "Shut up and keep moving."

The sky stretched before them, the stars above twinkling like distant embers in the darkness. Silvia took a deep breath, letting the crisp night air wash over her. The moment felt too quiet, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

Dragon must have noticed her hesitation because he glanced at her. "Something on your mind?"

Silvia exhaled. "Just thinking about what's ahead. We barely escaped Ashen Hold. What if the next city is worse?"

He gave her a reassuring grin. "Then we burn through it, same as always."

She snorted. "You make it sound so easy."

Dragon took a step closer, his voice softer. "With you, it is."

Silvia felt warmth spread through her chest, different from her fire magic, something more subtle, something dangerous in its own way. She looked away, trying to ignore the sudden spike in her heartbeat.

"Come on," she muttered, picking up her pace. "Let's find that caravan before I decide to set you on fire."

Dragon chuckled, falling into step beside her. The road ahead was long, but at least she wasn't walking it alone.