On the Evil Scale: Keeper of La Tecla (The Key) Book Two

Waiting as the Echolocation determined each of the tunnels’ depths, Zanzabarr whined nervously, causing Yzavela to strap on his muzzle. He pawed at the leather face piece, then laid nearby in an act of submission, resting his head on his massive paws after obeying her strict command. He was a hellhound, he didn’t have to obey but she was his pack mother and he was loyal no matter what command she gave.

Derek accurately recorded the distances based on the time taken for Abraxas to throw his sonar-like blast waves. Scribbling them into his notepad, he waited until the dragon emerged then turned to everyone who stood, looking at him with curious, and anxious faces.

“Here’s what we’ve got.” he announced, then leered at Leonus, just waiting for the Scotsman to interrupt but he held his hands up, letting him speak, “These are just approximate numbers, but the left tunnel runs deep for sixteen minutes, the center for twenty and the right one there…” he gestured toward it, “is probably the shortest for ten, but the most important question is…” he lowered the pad.

“What’s in them?” Sarah squeaked.

“Exactly.” Derek tucked the notepad back in pocket.

“I can help with that.” I announced, looking at Abraxas, “Show me.” I reached out, placing my hands beneath his chin, raising his head so I could look into his Amber eyes, “Show me.” I spoke telepathically.

“What is she doing?” Nathan wondered curiously.

“Who f*cking knows.” Leonus mocked.

Closing my eyes, connecting my mind to Abraxas’ I saw images that he had seen from each tunnel, revealing them verbally to everyone, in enough detail so we had an outlined to go by, so we weren’t too blind sided by the actual discoveries.

“The left tunnel is wider than the others, with mounds of debris and uh…” I paused.

“And what?” Luke pondered.

“Is is Lucy?” Jonathan pestered.

“No…” I shook my head, “it’s bulks huddled and packed together.”

“And the rest?” Derek questioned curiously.

“The center is filled with what looks like mortal figures also packed together in groups around the cavern, and the right tunnel is filled…” I gasped.

“Filled? Filled with what?” Caleb’s dark eyes widened.

“Bones, I don’t know if they’re animal or mortal, but bones.” I pulled my hands away, then opened my eyes, blinking quickly, shaking off the strange sensation of connecting to a mind that wasn’t Demon, or mortal, even Lycynian, “Good news is that they don’t branch off into other tunnels, or we would have been dealing with a labyrinth so it’s basically straightforward in and out. Basically.” I shrugged.

“Basically.” Leonus mocked bluntly, “Did your bat detect Lucy, or where she might be?” he leered at the small dragon.

“I am not a bat, Lycynian…and no.” Abraxas roared verbally with a hint of agitation, stretching out his wings and flicking his tail.

“Oh god, I hope they didn’t…” Jonathan mumbled, then turned his back, feeling nauseous, clenching his fists in anticipation and fear.

Sarah walked over, trying to offer her support, but he pulled away.

“So now what?” Jeremy questioned softly.

“Leonus, Thomas, Anthony and I will go left.” Derek announced, as he looked around at all of the eager faces, “Sarah, Erik, Jonathan, you will go with Yzavela, her dragon and wolf down the center tunnel.” he placed his hands on his hips, “Which means Nick, Nathan, Jeremy and Luke, you’ll go down the right. Now once we scout them out, if any of you find nothing, return here and wait for the others. And please, whatever you do, use the watches to communicate but only as a last resort.” he received affirmative nods, “At least we can keep track of each other with the built in GPS system.”

“Um, since we’re spit-balling ideas here…” Nick raised his right, “I think we should leave a trail of the glow sticks behind us, that way we can find our back just in case something happens and there are…” he shrugged, “any hidden crevices that Abraxas didn’t detect and I’m not saying he’s wrong, but you never know.”

“He’s right.” Thomas remarked, “And we certainly have enough.”

Everyone nodded, beginning to snap the sticks, carrying clusters.

“Be careful.” Anthony worried about Yzavela.

“You too.” I feared.

“I’ll look after him.” Thomas added.

“You better.” I looked at him, then leaned in, kissing Anthony.

Backing away from each other, we stood among the groups, parting our ways down the assigned tunnels.

Strolling down the left tunnel, examining the walls with glow sticks, the men dropped a few every now and then. Thomas struggled to see, even with the light cast from the sticks on the ground behind them.

“Thomas…” Anthony reached out, gripping his shoulder.

“I’m all right, just can’t see ahead.” he complained.

Anthony reached for his brother’s right hand, quickly placing it on his left shoulder then continued moving forward.

Growing closer toward the end, heavy panting and growling, even the abrupt stirring and shuffling, brought the men to a quick stop. They glanced at one another, then examined their watches, seeing a massive cluster of red dots moving around on the small radar map up head of their current position. From the radar that scanned, the cavern must have been massive in size.

“Psst…” Derek hissed, then gestured his hands forward in a military signal, “move.” he barely whispered the word.

Moving forward, cautiously placing their footing, they ran their hands along the wall for guidance, leaving a dark trail behind them free of the glow sticks for they were getting too close to the cavern up ahead. Suddenly, coming to an abrupt halt, the three Lycynians all scanned the space, examining the occupancy with their paranormal eyes, while Thomas removed binoculars from his backpack, swiftly activating the night vision feature.

“By the gods…” Leonus pondered, staring into the vast chamber, or lair, of the Boar-wolves.

“Oh mio Dio, questo è impossibile, questo non può essere! Non possiamo farlo, non abbiamo abbastanza armi... o guerrieri!” Thomas fretted, muttering that this was impossible, that they couldn’t do this, and that they’ didn’t have enough weapons or warriors, “Anthony…” he lowered the binoculars, reaching his brother’s arm, “we can’t do this, Yzavela and Sarah can’t do this!”

“Je*s…” Derek slurred, glancing around the cavern where there must have been at least two hundred, possibly more, bulks of the massive beasts sleeping on mounds of Earthly debris and bones.

There were too many clustered, laying over one another in scattered, overlapping patterns and heaps. When a large clawed hand grabbed one by the back of its neck and shoulder, some stirred in place from the disturbance. Casting its shadow on the rear wall, it appeared far larger than any Lycynian in their shifted form. The Boar-wolf that had been thrown, squealed in pain once hitting against the rock wall, but shaking it off, he found another place among the others.

Holding out his arms out to either side, Leonus whispered,

“Back away slowly, and don’t…make a sound.”

Without looking back, the men shuffled in retreat until Thomas’ foot kicked pebbles from their places, scattering across the tunnel; the echo bounced off the walls. As he and the others froze, they all waited making sure it wasn’t detected and with sighs of relief, it was Derek that stomped on twigs and bones, creating a loud snap. Again, they paused, hoping it wasn’t heard but all they head behind them from the cavern, were the creatures stirring as they slept.

“Go…” Derek urged, then just as he pushed Leonus’ bulk forward, it was the Scotsman’s watch that beeped loudly, from an incoming message, “Leonus!” he growled, pushing the man against the wall; he and the Scotsman struggled to remove the gadget, then yanking it off his wrist, Derek stepped back, pushing his against Leonus’ chest, “If you get us killed, I swear to god I will haunt you in the afterlife, and I will find you wherever you go. Heaven or Hell.” he barked, before he turned.

“Shh…” Thomas placed a finger to his lips, then glanced down the tunnel behind them, hearing another stir in the distance, followed by faint grunts and snorts, “turn the watches off!” he reached under the layers of his shirt and jacket, turning off the gadgets, as did the others.

“That was too close.” Anthony fretted, constantly glancing back.

“Too close, and these f*cking things almost gave us away!” Leonus growled, throwing it to the ground, stomping it quickly. “That…” he gripped the hilt of his axe tightly, “stupid f*cking girl is going to get us all killed and I better not hear a word out of your mouth, or I will slice your kegs off and leave you here to bleed.” he warned, as his blue eyes leered toward Anthony.

“Don’t patronize me, Leonus.” the Italian warned, revealing a heated temper beneath his calm, elegant demeanor, “Or you’ll find yourself without a head.”

“We are not doing this now!” Derek barked deeply, trying not to raise his voice too loud, “It doesn’t matter whose idea it was for the watches, they will come in handy but it was your fault, you should’ve put it on mute like everyone else now get your a** moving before we leave you here.” he glanced at Thomas and Anthony who nodded.

“Whose side are you on?!” Leonus approached the Samoan.

“No one’s but my own.” Derek growled, then as he stepped around the Scotsman, venturing down the tunnel with Thomas and Anthony.

“Whatever that was, was bigger than you.” Anthony mocked, “And smelled worse, if not more.”

“You don’t know it big it is, you transition with everyone else!” the Scotsman argued.

“I have heard stories that you’re big and ugly, actually f*cking ugly.”

“Have you seen yourself? You’re no pretty breed.” Leonus mocked.

“Neither are you.” Derek argued from up ahead, “None of us are.”

“So Abraxas was right.” Thomas interrupted, breaking the tension, “I hope the others are all right, because we need to put a plan together.”

Hearing the Italian’s observation, not even Leonus could argue about the dragon’s usefulness in the situation, not a chance in hell.

Jonathan, Sarah, Caleb, Zanzabarr, Erik, Abraxas and I ventured deep down the center twenty minute tunnel, dropping glow sticks every few feet until our feet crunched against something along the ground.

“Please don’t be more bugs.” I squealed, lowering my sight, seeing a path of mortal and animal bones that were still in their full skeletal forms, while others were broken and shattered, “Bones, just bones.”

“Just bones.” Caleb repeated humorously, “You sound disappointed.”

“Don’t push it.” I looked at him, seeing him flash a charming smile.

“You don’t think…they’re more cannibals do you?” Sarah shrieked.

Looking at her, Jonathan mumbled softly.

“Looks that way.” he awkwardly placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I wonder who they were?” Erik wondered, kicking them aside.

“I don’t know but…” Caleb muttered as he knelt down, and before he could finish his observation, holding one of the bones in hand, he glanced at the ground, watching small rocks, pebbles and the bones beginning to bounce in place from strong vibrations felt beneath their feet. Standing quickly, he glanced at his watch, hearing it beep; a bright red dot appeared on everyone’s screen heading toward them.

“Tell me that’s not what I think it is?!” Sarah cried fearfully as she glanced down the tunnel, hearing heavy feet pounding against stone, “I can see it…look!” she pointed, seeing red eyes glowing far in the distance, reflecting off the glow sticks, and as it grew closer, its bulk cast shadows down the tunnel.

“The crevices, hide in the crevices now!” I shouted over the eerie and loud vibrations that grew closer and more intense.

Scampering around, throwing sets of bones from their places down to the ground, we hid quietly.

Abraxas morphed into a rat, tucking himself away inside my jacket while Zanzabarr stood between my feet, whimpering loudly through his muzzle. Shortening his leash, holding him back gripping onto the handle of his harness, smaller bones crunched beneath out feet as we shuffled in place.

Both Erik and Jonathan muttered chants masking their physical and intrusive presence. Standing in front of Yzavela and Sarah with their backs facing outward, they protected the two women, while Caleb had remained frozen in a niche nearby, waiting and watching, with a hand on the handle of one of his guns, prepared to fire off rounds if needed.

The vibrations grew aggressively intense, causing more insects and pockets of worms scattering everywhere from around and above the intruders. The light given off from the glow sticks down the tunnel were enough to get a better glimpse at not just one Boar-wolf, but two, before the sticks had been kicked into hidden crevices along the ground.

Releasing a faint squeal, hearing the clicking and feeling worms down my neck, one of the Boar-wolves paused where Erik and I stood; the other beast sniffed the air where Sarah and Jonathan hid. Looking up into Erik’s eyes, I felt safe in his presence despite everything that has been said between us.

“It’s all right, just…don’t move.” I pleaded telepathically, struggling to hold Zanzabarr still.

“Yeah, right.” he mocked,“You don’t have a boar sniffing up your bloody neck.” he squinted, feeling the Boar-wolf rubbing its hard nose against his neck, causing him to flinch in fear. Feeling one of her hands gripping his waist through his jackets, he opened his eyes and looked down at her, feeling a sense of comfort and safety for just a moment before the creatures continued pressing its nose against his back, that had luckily been masked by the scents of the tunnels.

Peeking slightly around, catching the glimpse of the creature up close, I held my breath for it was the most grotesque looking monster that I had ever seen, other than the cave roaches. The head, tusks and its hind feet were of a boar, with the legs and body of a wolf. Running from the top of its head, down its back, were sharp spikes with stiff, bristle-like fur in between. This thing must have been the size of an adult moose, minus the antlers but we haven’t seen the others so who knows, they might have them. It continued sniffing, roughly nudging against Erik’s back, releasing deep grunts and snorts.

“I can’t do this…” Erik groaned, telepathically.

“Don’t…move.” I pleaded.

The other Boar-wolf inches back squealed loudly, followed by grunts that terrified Sarah, Jonathan and Caleb in their hiding niches, and in case they needed to, the two men gripped their weapons, hoping that the beasts would pass before they had no choice but use them against the Boar-wolves.

Caleb frowned, pressing his back against the rock, watching as the beast sniffed around his feet, before moving upward, snorting around his face. Scrunching his features into a distorted pout and frown, he had turned his head away, feeling the creature snort heavily blowing a few strands of his floppy bangs back off his forehead. Grunting, he held his breath, not wanting to breathe in the creatures foul breath and its disgusting stench of damp Earth and sh*t. Side-eyeing the creature, he watched as it moved forward down the tunnel, and sighing for just a moment in relief, he knew it wasn’t over yet.

Staring into the Boar-wolf’s eyes, a film glazed over the surface as if it had cataracts, giving it poor sight because of the horrific, and dark living conditions. Apparently, they could only make outlines, but had relied on their sense of smell. Continuing to breathe heavily against Erik’s neck, I held my breath as the Boar-wolf’s nose leaned beneath his right arm, leaning in close to my face. I couldn’t even begin, not in the slightest, to describe what its breath smelled like, but burying my face against Erik’s chest, I felt him tremble violently in fear.

Sarah squeaked loudly as the Boar-wolf pressed its nose closer against Jonathan’s back; she wanted to cry out but felt one of his gloved hands cover her mouth, concealing her fear. Looking into his wide, fear-filled blue eyes, she listened to his telepathic voice, pleading to her to be quiet, for he wasn’t sure how much longer their cloaking spell would last, for the creatures suspected something, or someone, was there.

Peeking his head from his hiding niche, Caleb thought of something he could do to lure the Boar-wolves away from them, and just as he glanced down at his hands, he still held onto one of the bones he had picked up earlier. Glancing at the tunnel ahead of the creatures, slowly he emerged from the niche, then with his supernatural reflexes, he threw the bone down the tunnel far ahead of the creatures.

Hearing the rustling and clanking against the rocks, the Boar-wolves released out loud squeals and grunts, signaling other that they had an intruder in their nest.

“Come on you f*ckers…” Caleb whispered, taking slow steps backwards, but just as he placed his foot, his heavy boots crunched against the bones. Glancing down, he closed his eyes, knowing he f*cked up, and just as he raised his gaze, he watched as the beasts turned their bulks around, scraping against the sides of the walls, turning back to face him, “Sh*t…” he cursed, continuing to back away and just as the two beasts lunged, running down the tunnel toward him, he vanished, reappearing on the opposite end of the tunnel behind them, “Psst…” he called out to his friends, “are you all right?”

“Caleb, what are you doing?!” Jonathan peeked behind him.

“Caleb!” I groaned.

“Yeah, I’m…” the Wraith huffed, then glanced ahead, hearing as the creatures had returned, venturing back down the tunnel toward him, “sh*t.” he cursed once more and just as the Boar-wolves lashed out, he disappeared, causing the creatures to fall over one another and as their bulks scraped against the walls, Caleb appeared mid way down the tunnel, listening as his friends yelped as they emerged from their hiding niches.

“Now what?!” Sarah whimpered, then covered her ears, listening to the aggressive squeals and grunts as the Boar-wolves pounced upon one another.

“We have to get out of here!” I worried, “Jonathan, I’m sorry but we are not equipped for this!” I pulled Zanzabarr back, while Abraxas squirmed his rat form onto my shoulder, startling Erik who stepped away for a moment before pushing his fears aside.

Suddenly, a powerful squeal echoed throughout the tunnels, causing us to cover our ears and hunch from the piercing echo that vibrated off the rock. Clustering together against the wall, we watched then listened as the two Boar-wolves in the tunnel ahead, ceased their fight, scampering down the depth, disappearing from our sight. Once the eerie squeal ceased, we lowered our hands from our heads, then took a quick look around.

“What the f*ck was that?!” Erik moaned.

“I don’t know, and I don’t think I want to.” I complained, “And you, are you all right? Both of you?” I glanced between Caleb and Erik.

“I’m fine.” Erik grinned then looked away.

“If it weren’t for Caleb, they would have found us for sure so thanks for that, man…” Jonathan glanced toward the Wraith, while he held onto Sarah.

“Yeah, no problem mate.” the Wraith shared a knuckle bump, “I uh, almost got my a** pounced by those bloody things, but sure why not.” he shrugged.

“So do we go back like Yza suggested?” Sarah cried softly, wiping a thick layer of dirt and sweat off her face.

Jonathan looked at Yzavela with a pleading expression.

“Yza, please…she’s my sister.”

Sighing softly, knowing that I said we couldn’t do this without more help, I looked around, having no choice.

“We’ll continue going forward but if anything like this happens again…” I stepped toward, placing a hand on his shoulder, “I swear we are out of here. No ifs, ands, or buts.”

“Thank you.” Jonathan nodded appreciatively.

“Abraxas…” I glanced at the rat on my shoulder, “scout ahead and make sure there’s nothing else coming or going before we move on.”

“Yes, Mother.” the dragon replied telepathically and just as his rat form lept from my shoulder, he immediately shifted, stretching out his wings moments before landing on the ground. Hovering above the heads of those below, he roared out his Echolocation once more, revealing something was ahead, “There is something ahead, Mother.”

“Something ahead?” I pondered, “What sort of something?!”

“What’s wrong?” Caleb hissed impatiently.

“He says there’s something ahead.” I looked at him.

“Something, what kind of something?!” he exaggerated humorously.

“Not another Boar-wolf?!” Sarah pleaded, glancing down the tunnel, “And is it just me, or is the getting heavier, harder to breathe.”

“No, it’s not just you.” I too, panted, feeling the effects, “But no, it’s just a large cavern.” I raised my right wrist, studying the radar map, where red blips flashed as they moved and clustered together.

Caleb examined his watch, seeing for himself.

“Maybe one of those blips is Lucy.” Jonathan hoped.

“Maybe.” Caleb moaned.

“Then let’s go!” the Australian rushed down the tunnel.

“Jonathan!” Erik argued deeply, but his friend didn’t listen, “Damn!”

As we followed after him, slipping on the wet stone, we finally came to an abrupt halt because Jonathan had stopped ahead, staring ahead.

“Jonathan, what’s wrong?” Sarah’s voice quivered.

Pulling on Sarah’s jacket, yanking her backwards, I watched as she turned to me, leering with a frown.

“Look before you walk.” I gestured at the ground where she almost stepped off a steep ledge.

“Oh…” she bit her lip, “thanks.” she smiled.

“No problem.” I removed my flashlight, needing to see the area. Just as I shone the light around, I felt a hand cover the light, “Hey…” I turned, seeing Erik standing there, placing a finger to his lip before he pointed toward the cavern ahead of us. Following his gaze, there were woman and children spread out everywhere, all overlapping one another, or sleeping along the cavern’s walls, “Sh*t.” I cursed.

“Do you see her anywhere?” Jonathan rasped, shining his flashlight in the darkest corners, hoping to see signs of her.

“We can’t see.” Sarah mumbled, then noticed something glowing off the walls, “Hey, what’s that?” she reached out, smudging it onto one of her fingers, “This, what’s this?” she showed it to the others.

“Bat sh*t?” Erik mocked arrogantly, “Keep it away from me.”

“It’s a bioluminescence bacteria.” Caleb revealed.

“Bacteria?” Sarah complained, wiping her hand on her jacket, “Eww.”

“Nice one, Professor Caleb.” I teased, then glanced at Abraxas, “Can you copy that?” I gestured at the walls, “It seems to be the only light source that doesn’t stir a reaction or disturbance.”

Abraxas lowered his head, glancing at hi scales, beginning to glow in his red Aura that faded slightly, taking on a blue hue in the process.

“Amazing.” Caleb admired.

“Isn’t he?” I smiled with pride, watching as he flew, hovering above.

Anxious, Jonathan took a step forward but Erik pulled him back, in a matter of seconds before he too, fell off the ledge. Following his gaze, Jonathan saw for himself, the disaster that would have caused.

“Thanks mate.” he grinned.

“Sure.” Erik nodded.

“Hello, can you hear me?” Caleb stood nearby, speaking close to the watch so he didn’t have to shout loudly, “Bloody hell, hello?! Anyone there?!”

Nick, Luke, Jeremy and Nathan cautioned down their tunnel, finally approaching the small cavern that had been mentioned by the dragon. Before venturing further, their watches beeped, alerting them of what seemed to be movement ahead, and carefully moving forward, the 4 men had arrived at the opening the cavern filled with a horrific sight, and smell possible. Around the space, there were piles of bones, some freshly gnawed. As Nathan shone his light around, he observed three women with knotted hair, gnawing on the very same bones that were scattered about. From the looks of them, they were filthy, covered in layers of dirt and soot.

“Psst…” he hissed, covering his flashlight, “we should go back.”

“He’s right, there’s nothing in here.” Luke agreed.

Jeremy and Nick nodded, covering their flashlights as well.

As they slowly retreated, Nathan glanced back one more time, and hoped that that wasn’t Lucy they were eating, and just because he was what he was, and did what he did, he wasn’t that cruel and wouldn’t harm a child. Not that young anyway, 17 was the youngest. It was enough to make him sick, but he blocked out the images, walking in silence with the others who were silent themselves. Making their way back to the pit, they waited for the other two groups to return. Nick paced worriedly, while Jeremy and Luke stood by either tunnel, with hope to see signs of the others, while Nathan leaned against one of the boulders, arms folded, and an unlit cigarette in his mouth.

“Where did they get the fresh meat?” Jeremy wondered.

“I don’t know, and I don’t I want to know.” Nick slurred in disgust.

“I hope it wasn’t Lucy.” Luke added.

“None of hope for that, you dipsh*t what the hell is wrong with you!” Nathan barked over his shoulder, before pushing himself away from the boulder, turning to the mortal brothers.

“Nathan, calm down.” Nick warned, “I still have a dart gun, do you want a tranq cause I’ll be more than happy to give it to you.” one of his hands reached under his jacket.

“Nick, Nathan, come on…that’s enough, not here.” Luke pleaded.

“I hear something ahead, maybe it’s the others.” Jeremy added as he turned, watching as Leonus, Thomas, Derek and Anthony emerged from the left tunnel, looking disgruntled, “You got my message.” he sighed in relief.

“What message?” Leonus barked, leaning his axe against a boulder.

“I sent you one.” Jeremy argued.

“Oh, he threw it away then broke it.” Derek grunted.

“Why?!” Nick hissed, “They’re to communicate!”

“Because if it weren’t for that thing, beeping and makin’ noise…the creatures down that tunnel?” the Scotsman pointed down the left, “It would have caused a stampede of those things everywhere, so I did the only think I could think of.”

“And that gave you the right to break it? You couldn’t just turn the damn thing off, or put it on mute like everyone else?!” Luke grunted, placing his hands on his hips, “Pfft.” he looked away.

“I’m not savvy with all of that bloody tech bullsh*t!” Leonus growled.

Anthony shook his head then turned, gazing down the center tunnel, worrying about the others and Yzavela. Biting his lip pacing, his feet shuffled along pebbles and debris.”Tony…” Thomas rasped, approaching his brother from behind.

“Yeah. Thomas?” he answered, looking at him quickly.

“She’ll be all right.” Thomas reassure, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I know she will, but it doesn’t mean I don’t worry nonetheless.” he worried softly, “She said you know.” he looked at his brother.

“What?” Thomas’ eyes widened.

“She said yes.” Anthony smiled.

“You…” Thomas gushed quickly, “Tony, congratulations. When?”

“Last night, actually. I would have waited until we were all together, but without knowing what would happen today, I…” Anthony sighed, “I didn’t want to go through this without knowing that she was mine.” he shrugged, “And I don’t mean that in a possessive sort of way, you know that. I just…”

“It’s all right, I more than anyone, understand.” Thomas tapped his brother’s shoulder, “Remember how I was when I wanted to marry Louisa?”

“Don’t remind me.” Anthony chuckled softly, then jumped grabbing his sword, hearing loud squeals and shuffling echo down the tunnel.

“What was that?!” Thomas wondered.

Nick, using his supernatural sight, scanned the tunnel deeply ahead.

“Nick, what is it?” Anthony worried quickly, “What do you see?!”

“I can’t make it out but…” the Wraith squinted, “it uh…looks like a large mass or something moving around, I can’t be sure unless I go further.”

“No…” Derek affirmed, “no, we stay here. The last thing we need, is to split up recklessly.”

“Hello?!” a voice suddenly interrupted, rasping over a speaker, “Hey!”

Raising his left wrist, Derek heard a voice from his watch. Turning it on, a holographic image of Caleb’s head appeared.

“Caleb?” he answered.

“Bloody hell, what the hell mate?!” the Wraith complained deeply, “I have been tryin’ to call you for the past ten minutes, what the hell?!”

“Bad connection, don’t worry about it.” Derek grunted, “Did any of you find Lucy?” he pressured.

“We’re not sure yet.” Caleb answered, observing Derek’s face on his screen, “We’re going to be here for a bit checking out the cavern that lays ahead, just wanted you to know and oh, there are two of those bloody Boar-wolves wandering around, and they might be coming your way.”

“There’s what coming where?!” Anthony raised a curious brow, and as he glanced down the tunnel, shining his flashlight along the length, he and the others gathered around him felt heavy vibrations under their feet, “Tell me that’s not?” his dark eyes widened, watching as a set of red eyes quickly approached, “Hide…everyone hide!” he spat, turning to the others that quickly scampered, hiding behind the large boulders surrounding the pit.

“My axe, where’s my axe?!” Leonus barked, looking around. Slowly, he peeked over the rough hump of the boulder, seeing his axe leaning against the opposite chunk of rock. Shuffling in place in preparation to reach for it, he felt a hand grab him by the back of his neck and by his arm.

“Don’t…even think…about it!” Nick hissed, pinning him in place.

“Don’t move!” Derek huffed, “Don’t…move!” he leered at Leonus.

The Scotsman grunted deeply, then laid his hands against the rock.

Nick snarled, revealing his fangs as he leaned in close to Leonus’ ear then he slowly peeked his head over the boulder, watching as two of the large creatures shuffled down the tunnel toward the pit. Swiftly he withdrew his head enough to hide, while continuing to keep the bulk of a man pinned in place without making too much noise that would draw attention.

Anthony leered around the boulder he and Thomas hid behind; his Lycynian eyes watched as the creatures sniffed the pit, catching the foul stench of its own kind, among the scent of intruders. Suddenly, he and the others closed their eyes, and covered their ears as the two Boar-wolves squealed loudly, echoing off the walls. Afterwards, they grunted and snorted before turning around, placing their backsides over the ledge of the pit, relieving themselves; one urinated loudly as if heavy rains poured, and the other, well, the scent of his feces was the most foul.

“That’s disgusting.” Luke gagged, then covered his mouth, watching as the Boar-wolves sniffed the pit before turning around, venturing down the left tunnel, returning to their lair after another ear piercing squeal echoed throughout the lair, vibrating along the walls.

Waiting for several minutes, making sure they wouldn’t return, it was then everyone sighed in relief.

“No toilet paper?” Anthony joked, looking at Thomas.

“They’re gone, now get off me…bloodsucker!” Leonus growled.

“Gladly.” Nick hissed, “You smell worse than they do.” he released his pinning grasp upon the Lycynian.

“Don’t ever…” the Scotsman turned to the Wraith, “do that again!”

“Save your threats.” the Wraith hissed once more, sneering with his supernatural red eyes.

“That’s enough!” Derek interrupted, standing between them, “Nick, you made your point.” he nodded toward the young man, “And so did you.” he leered at Leonus, “Right now, we have more important things to worry about.”

“Like what?” Nathan wondered.

“They’re starting to move around.” Derek frowned, “Because they’re suspecting something, or someone is here, and that makes them too dangerous for us to handle by ourselves.”

“What are you saying?!” Nathan barked, “You’re not going to leave them here, are you? That’s my sister down that tunnel, I am not goin’ to leave her with these beasts to get eaten or worse, been there before with Marxus and I’m not doing it again!”

Nick stared at the Lycynian with surprise, seeing that he cared about something, or someone, more than himself.

“We should go after them then.” Anthony suggested, “Get them out of there before this escalates further to the point where we can’t get out.” he looked around, receiving agreeable nods from Luke, Jeremy, Thomas and even Nathan, while Derek and Leonus hesitated, “You can’t be serious, you want to leave them in there?!” he growled, “You I can understand because you would love for her die in this place…” he approached Leonus, pushing him back aggressively, “but you?” he leered toward Derek, “You don’t even know her, you don’t know any of them!”

“I didn’t say we were going to leave them here, no.” Derek reassured, “I was going to say, before you interrupted with your Latin temper, that too many people in once place will definitely draw too much attention. They already know we’re here, so we’ll wait until they call, and if they need us, then plan A of waiting for them goes into that pit with the rest of the sh*t, all right?” he nodded.

“He’s right, Anthony.” Nick reassured softly, “Yza would have done, or said the same thing, you know that.” he looked into the Italian’s dark eyes that were filled with worry, “She’s not the only one in there that I care about, they’re all my friends too, and Caleb is my brother.” he sighed, “So, this is what we’re going to do and if you don’t like it, you can shove it up you’re a** because I really don’t care!” he leered toward Leonus, “We’ll give them thirty minutes, and if they are not back here, all of us are going in after them is that clear? Cause that’s our Keeper in there, our friends, and a helpless child. But you don’t care about any of that, do you?”

“Everyone knows how I feel about that little runt.” Leonus growled, “But if you would like to go in after them, be my guest, Goldilocks.” he mocked the young man’s blonde, dyed hair, “No one’s stopping you.”

“You Figlio di puttana!” Anthony shouted, lunging forward with one strong fist, swinging it powerfully against the Scotsman’s jaw, causing him to stumble backwards from the fierce impact.

“Anthony!” Thomas raged, lunging forward, pulling him back, “No, don’t do this…” he grunted, trying to hold him back, “Tony, stop it! He’s not worth it!”

“What’s your f*cking problem?!” Leonus mocked, wiping his bloody lip, “Are you that whipped, is she that good in bed that you’re willin’ to risk your life for a sweet little piece of tail?!”

“Sweet it is, I’m sure.” Nathan added in the mockery.

Anthony broke free from Thomas’ grasp, attempting to lunge toward Leonus once more but Derek lept between the two men, pushing him backwards with the bulk of his shoulder.

“Anthony, that’s enough!” Derek growled deeply, trying not to shout, having his voice echo off the walls and down the tunnels, “Jes*s…” he shook his head, looking around, “what the f*ck is wrong with all of you?! You’re fighting over a god damn little girl, this is ridiculous!”

“She’s not a little girl.” Nick frowned.

“Whatever, you know what I mean.” Derek huffed, “Just…everyone shut the f*ck up and wait for them to return, all right?! And I swear to God, if I hear one more complaint from anyone around this pit, I will throw you down that tunnel and let them finish you off!” his left hand gestured toward the left, “Got it?!”

“Yeah, sure…” Anthony spat at Leonus’ feet, “this isn’t over.”

“Never is.” the Scotsman mocked.

“Tony!” Thomas argued, turning his brother away, “Che diavolo era quello, cosa c’è che non va in te?” he continued in Italian, wondering what the hell that was, and what was wrong with him, “Hmm? I’ve seen you like this, and it doesn’t just have anything to do with her in that tunnel away from you, so what the hell, Tony?”

“Non conosco Thomas, non lo so. Non mi sono mai sentito così, così tanta rabbia o il bisogno di proteggere qualcuno, a parte te ovviamente, ma questo è diverso.” Anthony ocmplained, stating that he didn’t know, he never felt this way before, that much rage or the need to protect anyone, aside from him but this was different, “I’ve thought about it you know, maybe it’s because I’ve imprinted, I don’t know.” he shrugged, taking deep breaths, despite the fouls stench in the air.

“Well, after we finish this, I think it’s time you find out.” Thomas suggested bluntly, “Because you’re acting crazy, crazier than normal that is.”

“Mm.” Anthony nodded, then glanced over his shoulder toward the Scotsman who stood with Derek and Nathan, while Nick, Luke and Jeremy stood near the tunnels, “Where are you?” he closed his eyes, reaching out to Yzavela’s mind, hoping to receive a reply, “Yzavela, where are you?”

“Anthony?” she answered,“I’m here, I’m all right. We all are.”

Anthony opened his eyes, sighing in relief with a wide smile that he kept to himself.

“Thank god…” he prayed.

“Don’t thank him yet.” she fretted.

Searching the cavern, we heard a soft whimper. Directing the beams of our flashlights around, along with Abraxas’ glow, none of us saw anything.

“I can’t see anything, can you?” Jonathan whispered, looking at Caleb.

“Nothing, just the women and children.” the Wraith answered.

“Lucy?! Lucy!” Jonathan rasped a little louder, hoping the small child could hear him, then his eyes widened, hearing a soft whimper reply, “Lucy?!”

Aiming our flashlights toward the ground where Abraxas hovered, we could see a small figure tucked toward the back of the cavern inside a gouged out niche among the rock. There she was, Lucy sitting curled with her knees bent to her chin, and arms around her legs, while her face was buried in her lap, crying softly in heavy sobs. From head-to-foot, she was covered in dirt and other filth, her clothing was torn in several places and her red hair was soiled in stringy strands hanging in her face.

“Oh my god…” Jonathan paced, “there she is, she’s alive.” he praised.

“Shh...” Sarah hissed, gesturing at the women and children that were beginning to stir, “they’re starting to wake up, we have to be quiet.”

“She’s right.” I pleaded, holding onto his arm, “They’re hearing her cries, we have to be quiet and do this carefully.”

“How are we going to get her out?” Caleb wondered, “Without the chances of waking them up any further?” he searched for a way to get to the small child, “I could teleport over there, but I can’t see around that large boulder there…” he aimed his flashlight toward the large rock, “see it? Even with my Wraith eyes, I can’t see around it.”

“One of us will have to sneak around them.” Erik suggested.

“I’ll go.” Jonathan gripped his flashlight, “I can portal over there.”

“No, “I’ll go.” I announced bluntly, “Other than Sarah, I’m the only petite figure here. Jonathan, listen to me…” I turned to him, placing my hands on his face gently and affectionately in friendship, “you and I both know there isn’t much room around her, the smallest slip of your foot, or any of theirs, could cause a fall that would wake the sleeping brood.” I continued telepathically,“Plus, you know portals make that buzzing-crackling sound and that, above all else, will alert them that we’re here.” I looked around, then at Erik who nodded.

“She’s right, Jonathan.” the Demon added telepathically, “We don’t know what’s behind that boulder in front of her, that’s a blind spot that none of us can see. She can do this.”

“As lovely as I’m sure your telepathic bond is, want to share with the rest of us that can’t read your bloody minds?” Caleb fretted bluntly.

“All right, fine.” Jonathan nodded, “I just won’t feel any better, not unless I have my sister in my arms.”

“So you’re going to do this?” Caleb looked at Yzavela, “Seriously?”

“We don’t have a choice.” I removed my jackets, tossing them to the ground, “We should stop using our flashlights, it’ll draw too much attention in case the women and children wake up.” my hands swiftly removed my weapons belt, handing them to Caleb.

“Keeps, be careful.” Erik pleaded softly.

“I’ll be fine.” I nodded, then knelt in front of Zanzabarr, “You stay.” I kissed the soft spot between his eyes, then stood, looking up at the small dragon that quietly hovered, “Is it clear?” I reached out to his mind.

“Yes, Mother.” Abraxas answered,“And you were right.”

“About what?” I wondered.

“There is no steady footing, except for small spaces, of which a large male cannot step. Even for a skilled Wraith or Demon.”

“Figured as much. They want to make it difficult for anyone to get to her.” I moaned verbally.

“What?” Jonathan mumbled.

“Nothing.” I looked at him, “I’ll be back with your sister, I promise.” I patted his arm then knelt, carefully sliding off the ledge. Landing on the ground as softly as I could, my thick soled-boots created the loud echo, causing the women and children to stir once more, “Okay, I got this…Yza, you can do this.” I told myself telepathically, “Just breathe, one step at a time.” I glanced at Abraxas who hovered in his illuminated scales, before perching somewhere among the rock above. Lowering my gaze, watching as his glow brightened, I carefully, with much focus, placed my feet in spaces between clusters of hands and feet sprawled out, trying to avoid the loud crunching beneath my feet from the debris of bones, rocks and twigs. Glancing around, I took notice there weren’t any men, not even young men or teenagers, so I wondered is maybe they were somewhere else in the lairs, but hoped that wasn’t the case. Working my through the maze, at one point, a woman grunted as she rolled over, landing her left hand roughly on my right foot, causing me to pause in place.

The others on the ledge held their breaths, watching anxiously.

Glancing down at the woman, remaining perfectly still, I thought she would wake, but thankfully she didn’t. Sighing softly in relief, with my right hand, I reached down, gently removing her hand enough for me to slip my foot away, placing it in another blank space. Laying her hand back in place, she turned her head, facing upward, yawning; her foul breath blew in my face, causing a gag reflex for the odor was disgusting. Covering my face, preventing myself from getting sick, it didn’t help because I had already felt nauseous. Closing my eyes, and shaking my head, I gained my composure. Taking several deep gulps, I continued my way toward Lucy and if it weren’t for Shung-Lee’s training, I wouldn’t have been able to be so stealthy in my footing.

Jonathan watched Yzavela’s petite figure disappear into the shadows toward the rear parts of the cavern, and wanting to shine the beam of his flashlight, he bounced it against his hand, waiting anxiously.

“Jonathan…” Sarah whimpered, holding onto him, “it’s all right.”

Looking down at her, Jonathan said nothing. Nodding, he watched.

Lucy huddled close to the wall, watching as a shadow moved toward her in the faint lights of the cavern. Mumbling and crying, she didn’t know if the shadow belonged to one of the women or children that terrorized her on a nightly basis since her captivity. She didn’t want their hands clawing at her, not again. Attempting to scoot away, there was nowhere to go, no other niche to retreat to.

“No…” she cried.

Peeking around the large boulder, Lucy was absolutely terrified; she trembled in place from both fear and dampness within the cavern. As I placed both feet in a steady gap, I held onto the boulder for a brief moment of support as I knelt in front of the small child. Quickly, my eyes scanned the area, realizing that it was too cramped and tight for Erik, Jonathan or Caleb to maneuver around. Placing my glow stick between my knees, I reached out touching one of Lucy’s arms.

“Lucy…” I whispered softly, “Lucy, sweetheart. Hey there…”

Lucy cried, hearing the woman’s soft voice, then raising her head, she looked upon the young woman in front of her with puffy eyes, and tears running down her little cheeks, leaving streak marks on her dirty face. After blinking, she squeaked.

“Lucy, that’s me. I’m Lucy…” she sniffled.

“Yes you are sweetie.” I spoke to her telepathically, “I’m Yzavela, I’m the Keeper of the Isle.” I reached out, watching as she was used to the sense of having someone speaking to her telepathically, “Aren’t you afraid of me in your mind?” I tilted my head.

“No.” she whimpered, wiping her face, “Johnny talks to me all the time.”

“Okay, okay that’s good.” I smiled, combing her red, dirty hair out of her face, seeing her brief smile, “Lucy, listen to me. Johnny’s here.”

“Johnny?” she shrieked in a high pitched tone.

Feeling tears stinging my eyes, I continued moving strands of hair out of her face. Poor little thing, her face was covered in mud, dirt and whatever else was in this place. Scanning her quickly, her clothes were filthy and torn in places, her white stockings had holes along her knees and feet; her small toes painted with pink polish peeked through.

“Johnny?” she cried once more.

“Yes, he’s over there.” I gently turned, pointing over my shoulder.

Jonathan paced anxiously, watching Yzavela interact with his sister. Gripping his flashlight tightly, he watched as she moved aside just a few paces aside, revealing Lucy’s round face peeking at him. Smiling, he almost jumped off the ledge but Erik and Caleb pulled him back.

“Jonathan mate, no…you jump in there, you’ll get all of us killed.” Caleb warned, “You’ll get Yza killed, for she’s taking something that they think belongs to them.”

“He’s right, Jonathan.” Erik pleaded, “Don’t be reckless. Think…”

Jonathan hesitated, knowing his friends were right. Pulling away, he nodded, then turned back, watching the tense moment of escape.

“All right sweetie, you need to listen to me very carefully.” I spoke to her once looking back at her, “You need to be very quiet for me, okay?” I instructed, “I’m going to turn around, and when I do…you are going to climb on my back and hold on as tight as you can, okay? Think of it as a pony ride, or whatever.”

“Like horsise?” Lucy sniffled once more.

“Yes…” I chuckled, “just like horsie. Now are you ready?” I watched as the small nodded, “Good girl.” I stood, then cautiously turned my back, kneeling in front of her once more. Glancing over my shoulder, I watched as she pushed herself from the niche, reaching out her little arms, wrapping them around my neck, and her legs around my torso. I frowned, for her little body felt so tiny and fragile against my back, shivering from the dampness. Holding onto the boulder for support once more, I adjusted her weight and my footing, then glancing over my shoulder once more, looking into her little face that tucked along my neck, I whispered,“Stay very quiet, and keep your eyes up there.” I placed a finger to my lips, then pointed upward toward Abraxas.

“A fairy.” she smiled, “Pretty…”

“Yes, very pretty.” I groaned.

“Pretty.” she leaned her against Yzavela’s shoulder.

“Good girl.” I mumbled. Making my way, step-by-step back toward the others, trying to follow the same path, it was far more difficult for this time, I had the extra weight holding me back, but managing slowly, I continued moving forward.

Jonathan paced, shuffling along the edge that caused debris to scatter over the ledge and into the cavern below. He wouldn’t remain still until he held Lucy in his arms.

“Jonathan, calm down!” Erik argued telepathically, grabbing his arm.

“Let go of me!” he pulled away.

“Fine, but…” Erik held his hands up, “you’ve got to stop pacing.”