Chapter 10 A Really Bad Bet

Elaria's POV

My heart is heavy in my chest. Rowan stood right in front of me, and my fingers were so tight around the sword handle that my knuckles felt like they were about to pop. Of all the times for him to show up, this was the absolute worst. I felt like I was just barely hanging on, and now it felt like everything was about to fall apart. Those dark eyes of his locked onto mine, and for a second, I could have sworn I saw him hesitate. But it was gone as quickly as it came.

And there it was, that stubborn look I know too well.

The guy just doesn't quit.

"Elaria," he managed like it hurt to breathe with me standing right over him. "You've got this all wrong."

Seriously? Did he really think I was going to let him off the hook? Not after everything that's happened. Every part of me screamed to just finish it—to get it over with before things got even messier than they already were.

But I paused.

The shadows all around us seemed to be moving on their own, in ways that didn't feel natural. I could almost hear them whispering things, things that only I could understand. They were slithering around, coiling up, like they were waiting for something to happen. Watching everything. It sent a chill right through me.

"Just give me one good reason why I shouldn't end you right here, right now," I said through gritted teeth, pressing the blade even closer to his throat.

He smirked at me. Oh damn. What a jerk! "Because you don't really want to."

I hated how well he knew me.

Before I could say anything else, a roar echoed through the cavern—deep, rough like something was seriously wrong. The shadows seemed to shrink back, and I felt Rowan tense up under me. I turned just in time to see them coming.

Shapes that looked like people but had these strange, silver eyes. Their faces were all twisted and messed up, like someone had tried to turn them into wolves but couldn't quite finish the job. Actually, they were way worse than that.

The tallest one took a step forward, its fingers twitching as it moved. "The Queen needs to pick a side," it said, its voice rough like rocks grinding together. "And she needs to pick wisely."

Rowan tried to move beneath me. "Elaria, what the heck is going on?"

I shot him a look to shut him up.

There wasn't any time for questions. No room for screw-ups. The whole situation was totally out of control. And these things…

I didn't have the slightest clue what they wanted.

But I knew it couldn't be good news.

Rowan's POV

The second Elaria looked at me, I felt it—like I'd been punched in the stomach. That raw, undeniable pull. But I couldn't let it throw me off.

Not now.

I could still feel the sting of her blade against my skin, which was a pretty clear reminder that she wasn't happy to see me.

I couldn't read her expression. The torchlight made weird shadows on her face.

You never listen, she said finally, her voice quiet but sharp.

I huffed. Maybe if you actually told me anything, I would.

She stepped closer. You wouldn't be able to handle it.

The air between us was tense, sharp enough to cut.

Behind me, the creatures were getting restless. They hadn't attacked—yet. Which meant they were either waiting on her orders or waiting for something even worse to show up.

And I had no idea which option was worse.

You shouldn't be here, Rowan, she said softly. This isn't where you belong.

I clenched my fists. Then why do I keep getting dragged back here?

She opened her mouth like she was going to say something, but then she stopped. For just a second, I thought I saw her waver.

That's gonna mean something, right?

Then the ground started shaking.

A deep rumble went right through the cavern walls. The torches flickered, making the shadows jump all over the place. I could hear a sound—low and ancient—echoing through the tunnels.

Elaria's eyes got darker. You have no idea what you've done.

The creatures turned to face me. Their silver eyes glowed.

Here we go again. Then fill me in!

She took another step, close enough that I could feel her breath on my face. There's no time for that.

The ground shook again. Something big was moving in the dark.

Elaria grabbed my wrist, and her hand was freezing cold. We need to get out of here. Now.

Then the darkness closed in, and she dragged me into the unknown.

Elaria's POV

Rowan was stumbling behind me as I pulled him through the tight tunnel. The air felt heavy like it was pushing against us.

I could hear the creatures snarling. They weren't giving up.

"Where are we even going?" Rowan asked, exasperated.

I ignored him and kept moving.

The tunnel was getting narrower, twisting and turning. My shoulder scraped against the rough stone. The air felt thick, charged like something was wrong

Then we got to the end.

A room. A gigantic room.

I stopped and spun around, shoving Rowan against the wall. He gasped, looking angry.

"What were you thinking?" I hissed.

He took a breath. "I was thinking you might finally tell me what the hell is going on!"

I clenched my jaw. "This is bigger than you, Rowan."

"Then stop treating me like I'm a moron!" His voice echoed through the room.

A growl—deep, and definitely not human—came from the shadows.

I became still.

Rowan turned toward the sound and stiffened.

Then we saw them.

They weren't just eyes, this was a presence.

Huge, ancient, just watching us and waiting.

Waiting… for me, for him, for this.

My blood felt like ice. Rowan gasped.

Whatever was in the shadows started to move, and the ground shook with its weight. Then it spoke.

"So," it rumbled, its voice like rocks grinding together. "You brought him to me."

Rowan didn't move.

I dug my nails into his wrist, trying to keep him from running.

Because right then, I knew we had just walked into something way, way worse than we could have imagined.