Chapter 16
1312 Words
The lock’s soft click echoed louder than a blast. My blood turned ice as the stale air of the tunnel shifted around us.
“We’re exposed,” I whispered, voice trembling.
Riven raised a hand. His eyes were sharp in the lantern glow. “Get back.”
We dashed into the small chamber where we’d stashed pack animals and spare gear. Kael pushed crates aside, revealing a narrow side‐exit—an emergency hatch I’d never known existed.
“We go there,” he hissed. “Now.”
But before any of us could move, the door swung open.
Milo stepped into the room, hood down, chest heaving. The torchlight danced across his pale face. “I warned you this place wasn’t safe,” he said, voice tight.
My heart lurched. “You—”
“Shut it.” He raised a trembling hand. In his palm gleamed a silver Council medallion—the same I’d seen on a scout earlier. “They gave me this to unlock wards. I trusted them to free my family. They lied.”
He turned to Riven. “I did what I had to.”
Riven’s fist clenched. “You betrayed us.”
Milo swallowed. “I—I didn’t know. They said you’d kill me if I refused.”
I pressed my palm to the wall, steadying myself. His confession was agony and relief. At least now we knew who had unsealed the ravine ward.
Kael’s voice was low but furious. “Then go.”
Milo’s eyes snapped back to us. “No. I—I can fix this. Let me help.”
Rhea emerged from behind a stack of barrels, sword drawn. “Why should we trust you after all you’ve done?”
Milo’s lips quivered. “Because I know their next move—east tunnel. They’re sending wolves tonight to surround this bunker.”
My breath stalled. “So they do know.”
Riven hissed through clenched teeth. “Then we’re out of time.”
Rhea nodded. “Aria, get the noncombatants through the hatch. Kael, Riven—prepare defenses here. Milo”—she gestured at him—“gets one chance.”
I swallowed and knelt beside him. “Your family—”
He shook his head. “They’re safe now. I promise. The Council said they’d leave them if I helped find you.”
I studied his haunted gaze. “Then prove it.”
He nodded, trembling. “I will.”
I stood. “Move.”
I led the dozen huddled fighters toward the hidden hatch. They clutched small packs, eyes wide but trusting. Behind me, I heard a clang as Kael and Riven set up a barricade of crates and crates, unrolling nets and laying sharpened stakes hidden in the shadows.
The hatch was just big enough for single file. I slipped inside, Kisilver torchlight dancing on scuffed stone walls. The path sloped down, air growing cool. I held the line until the last child disappeared, then Kael climbed in beside me, slamming the hatch shut. Riven followed, sealing it tight.
We padded through the tunnel, hearts pounding. The distant roar of wolves mixed with frantic Council shouts.
“North exit,” Milo muttered, pointing to a fissure in the rock marked by a rusted iron bar. “They won’t expect us to come this way.”
We released the bar and slid into a second chamber—this one larger, piled with crates of gear and fresh blankets. Candlelight flickered, and a narrow shaft led up toward the cliff top.
“Go,” Rhea ordered, ushering the fighters forward. “Regroup at the ravine foot.”
I hesitated beside Kael. He pressed my hand. “I’ll meet you there.”
I nodded, voice tight. “Be safe.”
He gave me the half‐smile I recognized—fierce and gentle at once. Then he followed Rhea and Milo up the shaft, leaving me alone with Riven.
We climbed the stone stairs two at a time until the opening spat us out onto a rocky ledge overlooking a silver stream. Moonlight danced on the water. The air was thick with tension.
Behind us, the hatch’s lock clicked again. I spun, sword in hand.
But it wasn’t a Council scout this time. It was Elias—blood smeared on his tunic, breath ragged.
“Everything’s clear,” he panted. “We got the noncombatants to the ravine. They’re safe… for now.”
I lowered my sword. “Good work.”
He sank to a rock, head in hands. “It was close.”
Riven placed a hand on his shoulder. “You did well.”
I turned back toward the tunnel. “We need to keep moving.”
But the view ahead froze me.
Council wolves—dozens of them—lined both banks of the stream. Their eyes glowed, nostrils flaring. At their lead was the scar‐faced woman—the Council’s elite tracker. She raised a hand in salute.
My breath hitched. “They found us.”
Riven glanced at me, face grim. “This was their fallback—Map led them here. They’ve planned for every route.”
I swallowed, panic and resolve warring in my chest. “Then we fight.”
He shook his head. “No. We cross. Fast.”
“Under fire?” I asked.
He nodded. “We have no choice.”
We gripped tightlines—ropes strung across the stream—and plunged into the icy water. The wolves snarled, pressing forward to the bank, claws scraping rock.
I kicked against the current, trying to stay low. My heart thudded so loud I couldn’t hear anything else—except the pounding of my own blood.
Kael’s voice rang from behind. “Aria! This way!”
He led Rhea’s fighters across a narrow elm trunk that arched the stream’s narrower point. Their shields formed a shield‐wall; torches cast long shadows.
I reached the trunk, boots slipping on wet bark. My sword clanged against Kael’s shield as I steadied myself.
Below, wolves debated—half lunged, half held back. The scar‐faced tracker climbed onto the bank, spear raised, ready to strike.
I caught my breath and locked eyes with Kael.
He gave me a curt nod.
I stepped onto the trunk.
The shift was instant. The wood shivered under my weight. The water roared. The wolves sprang.
I tightened my grip on the rail and dove for Kael’s shield. He caught me, sword pressed tight. Our shoulders bumped as the tracker’s spear whistled past.
Rhea’s fighters leapt in behind us, forming a barrier that roared back with twin axes and shields. The clash of metal rang across the ravine. Sparks flew.
I turned, watching Kael and Rhea stand shoulder to shoulder on the narrow wood, shields locked, axes swinging. Their blades met Council steel, sparks bursting like fireflies.
I raised my sword and shouted, “Join me!”
I leapt onto the bank where wolves snarled around us. The cold water licked my boots, but I fought it back. I pressed forward, blade singing.
The tracker snarled and met me. Her spear crashed against my shield. I gritted my teeth and drove forward, elbowing her guard, then slashing.
She reeled, guard dropped. I would have driven my blade—
A howl rose from above. The ground trembled.
I froze—blade halfway down.
A dozen war wolves charged through the forest, bigger and darker than any we’d seen. Their howls tore the night open.
The resistance fighters and Council wolves stilled, mid‐clash, to face the new threat.
I looked to Kael. His sword hand shook.
I looked to Riven. He gripped his axe.
The war beasts thundered into the clearing, eyes blazing red.
And I realized the battle for Stonefall Ridge had only just begun.
- Writer
