A loud roar woke them as a rumbling vibration shook the floor. Rendor and Shyla exchanged a horrified look.

Everyone living in an underground city knew and dreaded that combination of sounds.

It meant a gas explosion, followed by a cave-in.

Nineteen

She and Rendor dressed quickly as another boom rattled hard enough to knock over the lantern. A third roar rocked the furniture and she staggered as the sand clock crashed to the floor. It had read angle three-twenty-five.

“The explosions are not an accident but an attack,” Rendor said, strapping on his sword.

It took her a moment to comprehend his words. “Do you really think the Heliacal Priestess would blow holes in her floor to get down to us? It’s—”

“Effective. Come on.” Rendor headed out into the hall.

A cloud of dust swirled in the trol light. Shyla’s boots crunched on grit. She scanned the ceiling, searching for cracks and possible falling debris. The priestess never liked being one level above the Water Prince. In this case, it was a tactical advantage.

Another rumble shook the floor, this one louder than the others. The vibrations shot up her legs and she stumbled.

Scorching hells. If she wasn’t so terrified, she’d be impressed. One way to live on the lowest level of Zirdai was to collapse the levels beneath you. “The explosions are coming from below us!”

Rendor increased his pace.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“The priestess wants you. She probably thinks you’re near the Water Prince’s main living quarters.”

“So?” She sucked in a mouthful of dust as a fifth deafening boom sounded close—too close. The resultant energy wave knocked her to the floor.

Before she could react, Rendor yanked her up. “So she won’t destroy that area.”

“Oh.”

“Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand.

They ran through the tunnels. Two more explosions shook their world and the floor seemed to be crumpling underneath her feet. A thick fog of dust dimmed the lights. Her eyes stung and teared. Breathing without coughing was impossible.

A shock wave slammed into her, ripping her from Rendor, surrounding her with a cacophony of noise. Firm ground disappeared. Her stomach filled with the sickening sensation of falling. She dropped along with the chunks of the floor.

Landing, she thought, is going to hurt.

When she hit bottom, the darkness was instant.

Consciousness came and went. Sensations pounded and dulled. Sounds echoed and died. Eventually, she woke fully. And, for a brief moment, she believed the solid presence beside her was Rendor.

Then she remembered.

Then she cursed her good memory as pain stabbed into every part of her body.

She groaned. The noise bounced off hard surfaces, which seemed to surround her. Grit and the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. After a moment to gather her energy, she assessed the damage to her body.