There’s a shuffling sound, a thump, and then the snick of a lighter. Finn’s face is illuminated as he sparks to life a lantern that he’s pulled down from the wall. He brushes the cobwebs from the glass and looks up at me. “Shall we?”

“If you get me killed, I will haunt you forever.”

He smiles, pleased. “An eternity with you? Deal.”

God, I hate him.

I let him lead. If one of these rickety stairs gives out from under our feet, let him be the one to fall.

The soft hissing of the lantern and the padding of the soles of our shoes are the only noise for a long while.

The stairs go straight down for a bit, deep into the damp, dark heart of the city, before zigzagging and finally spiraling. We circle down and down and down until I am dizzy.

Just when I am sure we cannot possibly go any farther, the stairs stop. We’ve landed at the entrance to a dark hallway with a dirt floor.

I’m on edge, waiting for someone from the Brothers of Morte d’Arthur to pop out at any moment.

Finn chuckles softly at the way my head whips back and forth frantically. “We’re safe. You think I’d let any harm come to you?”

No. “Yes.”

“Well, then you’re wrong. Come along, it won’t be far now.”

I keep my eyes focused on the dirt floors. Anywhere to keep from looking at the bones.

The muscle in my jaw twitches and my teeth begin to chatter from some combination of nerves and cold.

He shrugs off his jacket and hands it to me.

“No, I won’t take it.”

“Don’t be proud, you’re freezing. And anyone who means to do us harm could hear your chattering from a mile away. Go on.” He shoves it toward me once more and I give in.

It’s still warm from his body heat, so immediately soothing, I no longer have the willpower to complain. I tug it tight around my center and we carry on.

With each step, I feel my magic hum. It glows brighter and brighter in my chest the closer we get to the veil. And although I am terrified, I relish its presence, feeling at home in my body once more.

The catacombs may be a maze, but Finn and I can both feel the tug of the veil, unmistakable and strong.

The buzzing is there too, strange and head-splitting, but I’m too happy about the return of my magic to mind much.

I’m about to round the corner, to charge full speed at whatever waits at the veil, but Finn stops me with a strong hand wrapped around my shoulder. He tugs me back so hard I nearly fall. I’m about to exclaim in confusion when he claps a hand over my mouth.