“I told her how to get there,” Art admitted. “It wasn’t on the map I had, either, but I showed her where it should be.”

“It wasn’t on the map because it’s not there. He’s not going. I forbid it. I’m his guardian.” Xander’s voice rose with each word. “You can’t take him down there!”

Cam locked eyes with his dad for a long minute, then nodded before stepping up to Xander. There was no physical comparison between the two, and Xander knew it, but Cam had never used it to his advantage before. “Stop me.”

…

Ten minutes later, Cam, Art, Gideon, Dad, and I piled into the train. Cam drove us into the mine, speeding faster than we had when Rose had been with us. I kept my eyes peeled for her pale-pink jacket and yellow helmet but came up empty.

We sliced through the stale air of the tunnel, and I gawked at the difference now that it was lit. We passed the first antechamber we’d stopped at, then made our way past two ventilation shafts and several displays Cam had set up with historically accurate mining equipment.

We finally stopped, and I marveled that we’d managed to walk this far in all those years ago, if this was really where I’d fallen.

Cam showed Dad how to work the train so he could take it back for more search parties. “You’re sure about this?” Cam asked me, his hands cupping my face.

“You won’t let anything happen to me,” I answered. “And I won’t let anything happen to you.”

He leaned his hat against mine and took a deep breath. “Just promise me you’ll stay close. I almost lost you once in here, and that’s not going to happen again.”

“I promise.”

He nodded, but I knew he wasn’t happy about me being down here. Well, that made three of us, if the way my dad was staring at me was any indication.

“It’s okay, Dad. Go.”

“I love you. Your coat is too big. Are you going to be warm enough?”

“I love you, too. And I’m fine. It’s Cam’s.” I didn’t bother arguing the logic of his statement.

He turned to look at Camden. “You brought her out of this mine once, and I expect you to do it again. Do you understand me? You bring her and Rose out.”

“What changed your mind?” Cam asked, hefting his pack over his shoulders.

“When did I realize you didn’t break her nose?” Dad asked.

Cam nodded.

“First I pulled her X-rays when you started dating. The break was too symmetrical. Like she’d literally fallen flat on her face or walked into the wall. Then I realized I didn’t need the damned X-rays. Willow is a smart girl, and she would have kicked your ass if you’d hurt her.”