CHAPTER 21: THE GAUNTLET BEGINS
The sound came again—closer this time. A sharp, clicking scrape echoing through the tunnels, followed by the unmistakable rustle of movement. Multiple movements.
Kieran’s breath hitched.
Shit.
His body was still wrecked, his system barely holding together. If another Lurker showed up—let alone a pack—he was done for.
“We need to move,” he muttered, forcing himself upright. His limbs screamed in protest, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through. “Where’s the exit?”
Elias didn’t move.
Kieran’s brow furrowed. Why wasn’t he moving?
Elias finally spoke, voice maddeningly calm. “You’re going to lead us out.”
Kieran blinked. “What?”
Elias motioned toward the tunnel ahead. “You heard me. Find the way out.”
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For a moment, Kieran thought he’d misheard. His ribs ached, his arm was useless, his energy reserves were nearly depleted— and Elias wanted him to take point?
“You can’t be serious,” Kieran said. “I can barely stand.”
“That’s the point.” Elias’s eyes glinted. Cold. Calculating. “You don’t get to wait until you’re ready. Out there, you survive or you die.”
Kieran clenched his jaw. He’s testing me. Again.
The sounds in the tunnels grew louder—faster. The pack was closing in.
No choice.
Kieran sucked in a sharp breath and turned toward the tunnels. His mind raced. Think. He didn’t have time to stumble blindly. He needed a plan.
The cavern had collapsed behind them, meaning there was only one path forward. Tunnels. Some leading deeper into the Abyss, others leading—
There.
A faint gust of fresh air from one of the side tunnels. It wasn’t much, but it meant an opening. A way out.
“This way,” Kieran said, setting off at a limping run.
Elias followed without a word.
The tunnel twisted and turned, narrowing at points, opening into small alcoves at others. The air grew colder, the scent of damp stone filling Kieran’s lungs. His vision blurred at the edges, exhaustion clawing at his mind, but he kept moving.
Behind them, the chittering grew sharper.
Then—a scream.
Not human. A Lurker’s death cry.
Kieran’s stomach twisted. Something else was hunting.
And they were heading straight toward it.