Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(66)

“Maybe try it faster this time,” Summer advised.

Morgan nodded, embarrassed. She focused on the lock around Biji’s right wrist and zapped it with her magick, pulling Biji’s wrist free. Biji flinched at the pain. The red around her wrist wasn’t as bad as that around Summer’s. Summer touched Biji, and Morgan sensed magick in the air.

“So, there were seven of them,” Biji said and stood. She faced the door. “How long have we been here?”

“A few hours,” Summer guessed.

“It’s been quiet, but we don’t really know how many are out there,” Biji said thoughtfully. “We can stay here and hope Decker finds us.”

“He can track Dark witchlings,” Summer said. “Unless they know how to hide from him.”

“I didn’t think it was possible.”

“Yeah, it is. It’s how they hid me for three months,” Summer said.

Morgan listened, not fully understanding what they were talking about.

“I think we should assume they only grabbed you because they think he can’t,” she rationalized.

“He can’t track Light witchlings, though,” Biji said. “Beck can.”

Morgan ducked her head. “I don’t think he can right now.”

“I’m sure of it,” Biji replied. “It’s part of what he does. He’s supposed to know when we’re in danger.”

“And he’s not here,” Summer said, studying Morgan.

“Yeah,” she agreed. “Well, I know no one can track someone like me.”

“Did something happen?” Summer asked.

“I, um, heard something happened to him before I left today.”

“What?” Summer asked.

Morgan shook her head. Her insides trembled. When they were free, she’d tell them how horrible of a person she was. First, she had to help them.

“We’re on our own,” Biji murmured. “Morgan can take out the door like she did the tree, but I’m not sure what happens next.”

“I didn’t burn down the tree,” Morgan retorted. “No one believes it, but it’s true.”

“You probably shouldn’t threaten to burn things down then act surprised when they do,” Biji said.

“I didn’t do it!”

“Stop,” Summer ordered softly. “None of that matters. We need to focus on getting out of here. We’re in a lot trouble.”

“Agreed,” Biji said.

Morgan nodded. She paced, worried about Beck and trying to save the Light girls trapped with her. She was ready to face her fate.

“So do we blow the door down and make a run for it or just wait?” Biji asked.

The three looked at each other.

“Let’s see what we can hear,” Summer said. She rose and crossed to the door, pressing her ear to it.

Morgan was quiet, waiting. Summer stepped away after a minute.

“Doesn’t sound like there’s anyone there,” she said, puzzled. “But we might be down some long hallway or in a basement or something...”

“I’m taking down the door. I’m not staying here. It’s like a tomb,” Morgan said. She went to the door and put her palms against the cool wood. Within seconds, the door was on fire.

Morgan stood back and watched. It burned as hot as she could make it in order to minimize the time it took. Within seconds, the flash fire was gone, and nothing, but ashes remained.

She stepped into a long hallway lit by light bulbs dangling from the ceiling.

“Definitely a basement,” she murmured, looking around. One way down the hallway led to a dead-end while the other ended at a set of stairs. Her senses were alert, but she didn’t hear anything.

“Do you have your phone, Morgan?” Biji asked as she and Summer entered the hallway.

Morgan went through her pockets then remembered she’d been too desperate to leave to think of grabbing it. The stone was still there though.

“No,” she replied.

“I do, but I’ve got no signal.”

“Mine’s in my room,” Summer said.

“I need to get out of here,” Morgan said and started forward. She didn’t think Dark kids needed the rock anymore than the Light girls.

“Biji, keep checking your phone,” Summer said trailing. “You know who to call?”

“Decker.”

Morgan hurried down the hallway then started up the stairs. She slowed as she neared the top. The light from the basement faded, and there was no way of knowing what awaited them. Unless she started a fire, but that might give them away.

“Wait,” she said and waved at the two girls behind her. She put a finger to her lips to warn them to keep quiet. They paused.

Morgan put more distance between them before she lit a fire in her palm. She reached the top of the stairs and looked around. A door was in front of her. With a deep breath, she pushed the bar on the door and stepped into the dark hall beyond. Voices came from down the hallway, along with light from a cracked door.

It certainly looked like a resort. The hallway was tall, wide and lined with doors, like the main floor of a massive hotel. The floor creaked beneath her. Morgan gasped and froze. No one emerged from the doorway.

She retreated and motioned to the other two to follow.