Devilish Game (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 4)

As we hurried through the halls and rooms, darting into hiding spots anytime we heard footsteps, my hope began to dwindle. Where the hell was this damned lever?

I pressed my fingertips to my comms charm, hoping I could get in touch with anyone. There was only silence, however. Did that mean they weren’t here? Or perhaps the signal was blocked by the protective dome.

A moment later, two red cloaks entered the room. Fear sliced through me, and I lunged for one, dagger already gripped in my hand. They were both about my size. Women, maybe. Not that it mattered.

I lunged, swiping out with my blade, and delivering a deep cut to the figure’s chest. A small fist swiped out, nailing me across the cheek. The blow was so strong that I spun away, pain flaring.

To my left, Coraline moved like a whirlwind, slicing the other person’s neck in the same maneuver she’d used earlier.

My attacker lunged for me, and I ducked low, plunging the dagger up into their gut. A groan of pain escaped their lips. I yanked the dagger free, but before I could attack, a blade appeared at the figure’s throat, slicing across. I darted as blood sprayed. It hit me in the cheek, warm and wet.

I gagged.

“Sorry,” Coraline whispered.

Both cloaked figures were slumped on the ground, and I dragged my shirt across my face, wiping the blood away. The hoods had fallen back to reveal two women, both pale skinned and fair haired. They had tattoos on their necks, just like our prisoner had had.

“We need to get rid of them.” I looked around, hoping to find another convenient room.

There were none.

“Damn it.” I scowled.

“Let’s just leave them. We’ve already covered more than half the temple by my estimate. We’re sure to find the lever soon.”

I didn’t like the plan but couldn’t think of a better one. We stepped over the bodies and hurried away, fast and silent.

Finally, while hiding behind a door to peer into a large, nearly empty room, we found the lever. The ornate brass handle was four feet long, set into a stone base and guarded by a red cloak.

“He’s asleep.” Disgust and delight echoed in Coraline’s voice.

But she was right.

The guard was sitting slumped against the wall, head bowed. I could hear his snores from over here.

“Normally I’d say that killing a sleeping man is unsporting,” Coraline whispered. “Not today.”

Before I could respond, she was darting across the hall, dagger drawn. The job was done in seconds, her blade flashing across the neck. Blood spurted, and I felt my stomach turn slightly.

This was more killing than I was used to. I knew without a doubt that these people were the evilest of evil, with plans that could bring about the destruction of so many innocent lives.

But still . . . it was hard to give up on my human ideals and everything I’d learned at police college. Everything I’d grown up to believe.

There were certainly no juries in the magical world. Or, if there were, I hadn’t seen any. And I doubted that any of the red-cloaked individuals in this cult were going to ever see any either.

“Let’s do this thing,” Coraline whispered from across the room.

I sprinted to her and grabbed the lever. She joined me, and together, we pulled hard on the metal rod. It resisted at first, finally giving way with a creak.

Magic exploded all around us, lights cracking and popping as the sound of shattering glass filled the air. A cold breeze rushed over me, followed by the warm heat of the sea air. The sounds of night insects filled the space.

“We did it.” Coraline grinned widely.

I ran to a small square window and looked out, searching the courtyard for my friends.

No one was there. But then, I hadn’t told them where to hide. They could be anywhere.

I turned to Coraline. “You need to get out of here.”