Sarafina pushed a branch away and turned to head to the lane, her heart heavy with defeat. Just then she glimpsed something she’d missed before. It was an opening under a hill and an outcropping of rocks. Some branches had been placed in front of it that seemed unnatural, as though deliberately laid there to hide something.

She pushed them away and uncovered the small mouth of a cave. Standing in a spill of moonlight that bleached the color from the overhanging rocks, she considered it. Someone had hidden it on purpose and judging from the way her spine was tingling madly, it was something very important.

There was only one way to find out.

Going spelunking hadn’t been on her list of things to do today. Yet this might be her only chance to explore it. She slipped her shoes back on. Then, crouching down, she made her way through the entrance, praying there were no spiders or snakes.

On the other side it was high enough for her to stand. It was cool inside, quiet, and completely dark. Extending her hand, she lit a small fireball in her palm. Her magick was nice that way; she didn’t even have to pack a flashlight.

Graffiti decorated the craggy rock walls, and a few empty beer bottles littered the sandy floor. The air smelled faintly of pot. Perhaps that was why the branches had been covering the entrance; maybe the former landowner had been trying to discourage teenager interlopers.

Another small opening led off into yet another room. Shining her bit of fire within, she saw there was a warren of rooms going back farther and farther. Somewhere deep inside one of the caverns, water dripped.

It seemed like an ordinary cave. There were lots and lots in this region. Kentucky, in particular, was known for them. And yet . . . there was something else here. Something more. She could feel it, sense it, breathing here somewhere deep in the dark.

She shivered, her heartbeat quickening. A presence entered the small room with her, alien body heat emanating out and warming her. Though she could see no one, hear no one, she knew it.

Oh, God, she wasn’t alone.

Sarafina turned to leave and ran into something hard. Her fire extinguished. She screamed, but a hand clamped over her mouth before she could fully voice it.

“It’s me.”

Theo removed his hand from her mouth and she hyper-ventilated for a moment before she could speak again. “Theo, what are you doing? Can’t you make a little noise when you’re sneaking up on someone in a dark cave? You scared at least five years off my life!”