How had Rachel fallen so far? What desperation had steered her towards the sorts of people who’d condemned her to this fate? Rion wasn’t sure how, but he would make it his mission to bring her back out. Herric had hinted it was possible, and he would use the girl as his bargaining chip.

Herric obviously couldn’t reach her on his own, so Rion would withhold her and the ark until he’d extracted a promise to return Rachel to the surface. He knew negotiating with the Lord of the Underworld was a risky gamble, but it was the only thing he had left.

Rion stumbled over a rock and crashed into a wall, his head spinning. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten, but the alcohol burned in his blood, making walking over the rough terrain challenging.

The girl moaned, and he sent out another tendril of virulence magic to keep her unconscious.

As he wove back and forth, the walk dragged on. Rion winced at the ache in his shoulder and back as he hoisted her up, trying to find a more comfortable position. Even with the benefit of his Fae strength, her body was starting to drag him down.

He shook his head and inhaled a deep breath, but without the freshness of a breeze, it just congealed in his lungs, making him even more lightheaded.

But he had to get to the Underworld before his son found him. Rion knew he would. Nadir had never liked anyone touching the things he believed belonged to him.

After what felt like hours, Rion was ready to collapse from exhaustion, his joints and muscles quivering from strain. Finally, he entered a dark cavern, the ceiling soaring so high that it disappeared into the shadows.

Peering up, he threw a ball of magic into the air and watched it dissipate into the gloom pressing in from all sides. A smooth wall of rock stood at the far end of the cavern, shimmering softly with its own source of dim light. His breath hitched. This was his destination.

Rion hoisted the girl higher on his shoulder before he crossed the cavern. Every footstep echoed like a lightning strike as he felt the air crowd in around him. It felt almost like walking through water as the weight on his lungs increased, trying to drown him. When he reached the wall, he placed his palm against it as Herric had instructed. The stone was warm to the touch despite the frigid air permeating these mountains.

Now he heard the whispers more clearly as they grew more distinct. Through the sounds he could make out the words and eventually the voice he’d come to know all too well.