A member of Dexter’s team spoke up. According to the label on his shirt pocket his name was Jenkins. He was short and bald, and he looked worried.

“The only tunnel we’ve actually been able to map is the one that leads to what we think was the site of the explosion that took place here several decades ago,” he said. “The chamber was blocked by an energy gate of some kind. We finally managed to disable it but it took a while. Even if that dowsing tool works and you find the right tunnel, the entrance might be blocked by a similar gate.”

“Or a rockfall or an underground river,” Larissa added.

“I understand,” North said. “But I don’t have a choice. I have to try to locate that old lab and open it.”

“Are you sure you can work that locator device?” Dexter asked. “You’ve been through a lot lately.”

No one else spoke up, but Sierra knew what they were all thinking. As far as they were aware, North was psi-blind.

“This rod has my grandfather’s signature,” North said. “Don’t worry, I’ve got enough intuition left to handle it. I don’t need my night vision for that.”

Dexter drew a long breath and exhaled slowly. “Okay, then. Your call.”

“Don’t forget, I’ll be with him,” Sierra said. “I can identify hazards along the way and make sure we avoid them. I’m a go-between. I know what I’m doing when it comes to hot zones and artifacts.”

North had tried to talk her out of accompanying him but she had refused to back down, pointing out the simple truth that they had no idea what they would encounter once they entered the tunnels. While it was true that he wasn’t blind, it would take a lot of energy and concentration to work the dowsing stick. He needed someone to ride shotgun, and since she had a talent for identifying potentially dangerous relics, she was the obvious choice for the job.

Several members of the Foundation team had volunteered to accompany them, but Sierra had explained that it would be hard enough to guard North and herself. She did not want to be distracted by having to keep an eye on a large group of people while they tried to navigate the powerful, disorienting currents inside the caves.

“Got spare flashlights?” Dexter asked. “It’s not dark inside. There’s a lot of low-level radiation infused throughout the cave system, enough to see where you’re going. But you never know what you’ll run into. You’re looking for Griffin Chastain’s old lab. We know he had an amazing talent for magic. No telling how he protected his secrets.”

“I’ve got a few ideas on the subject,” North said. “And yes, we’ve got flashlights.” He glanced at Sierra. “Let’s go.”

He took a firm grip on the dowsing rod and walked through the cavern entrance. Sierra followed close behind, heightening her talent in anticipation of what Dexter and the others had told her to expect.