Eight
No guardian army waits on the other side of the door to attack us. A tunnel with rough rock walls extends left and right. Calla picks left. “Only ten minutes?” she comments as we race along the tunnel. “How generous of you.”
“Yeah, well. I figured there’s a possibility they were actually telling the truth. No need to keep them frozen for longer than necessary.” We come to a halt, and I add, “Are we trying the faerie paths? Hopefully they’re accessible from here. Wherever ‘here’ is.”
“Yes.” Calla’s stylus is already in her hand. She scribbles quickly against the wall, and I hold my breath for a moment before a dark doorway materializes. As we rush into the faerie paths, she says, “I wanted to believe them. I really did. I just couldn’t take the chance.”
“I know,” I answer as the d
