A Rip of Realms (A Shade of Vampire #39)(37)

“I think I can see it!”

The guard I’d traveled with shouted out from one of the rock heaps up ahead. All three of us started to clamber toward him. I could hardly bear to hope that this long and boring search would finally be over.

“Under there!” The guard was standing above the shell of a room that would have originally come off the main hallway. The rubble from one of the towers had surrounded it, creating a pile that we could climb up, giving us a bird’s-eye view of the room. Most of it was covered in gray stone, but I could see the golden glint of a lavish headboard.

“Is this the old emperor’s room?” I asked.

“Think so.” The guard nodded. “The book’s in a box, down under those rocks.”

“You’re right,” Ash announced, climbing up behind us. Tejus joined us a second later, and we all peered down at the room.

“Let’s get on with it then,” I prompted. I wanted this over and done with already.

Hazel smirked at me.

“Volunteering, are you?”

The remaining construction of the room didn’t look all that stable, but if I could find another way in, by going down and around, it would be safer.

“Yep,” I replied stoutly.

“I’m joking—I’ll join you.” Hazel laughed.

“No, you won’t,” Tejus barked.

Surprise, surprise.

“Tejus, I’m going. It’s fine. We’re all smaller than you guys—we can get in more easily,” Hazel reasoned, as she and Ruby started to make their way back down the slope of rocks. I hurried to join them, not wanting to be left dealing with the brunt of Tejus’s wrath.

I slowed my pace as I neared the bottom of the stone pile, the ground becoming more perilous as I jumped from one stone to another to keep up with Ruby and Hazel. We started to climb over the old entrance to the castle. The stench of rotting flesh grew in intensity, and I felt nauseated.

“I think this is where most of them were killed,” Hazel said sadly. “They all flocked here, trying to escape.”

I tried not to look down. At one point, clambering over one of the stones that made up the arch, I stepped on something soft. I leapt forward, not looking behind me, but the stink that emerged filled my nostrils and I vomited—quickly and quietly, trying not to draw attention to myself.

“Are you okay?” Ruby’s voice was muffled by the sleeve of her robe.

I could only nod, not wanting to breathe.

As we traveled along the hallway, the smell started to fade, to be replaced by the much more palatable stench of burnt fabric.

As I climbed over a pile of broken rocks, I heard a faint yowl. Pausing, I looked back in the direction of the sound.

“Guys — I hear something.” I waved for them to come back, and made my way to where a half-burnt doorframe had fallen against an old chest. Hazel and Ruby followed, and the sound grew louder and more insistent.

Was it… a cat?

I lifted the wood, sending debris scattering off its surface and clattering to the ground. A dark shape leapt out from the gap I’d uncovered, knocking me sideways.

“Lucifer!” Hazel gasped, running toward the creature – which I now recognized as a lynx. It started to hiss around her legs, covering her in black soot.

“You poor thing.” Hazel picked up the animal and cradled it, while its yellow eyes gleamed at me with undeniable malevolence. It looked like it would claw us to shreds given half the chance. I also remembered where I’d seen it — the lynx belonged to Tejus.

Ruby glanced at it with misgiving.

“Are you sure it’s…domesticated?” she asked warily, taking a step back.

“He’s all right,” Hazel replied, cooing at the devil-cat, “he’s never been this friendly to me before, though…I guess I must smell like Tejus. We’ll get you home, buddy.” She returned her attentions to the lynx, while I motioned to Ruby that we should get going.

“Come on,” Ruby announced, “you think it will follow us?”

Hazel placed it gently on the ground. It moved away gracefully – not bothering to glance back in our direction as we started to climb back the way we’d just come.

“I’m sure he’ll find Tejus now that he’s not trapped,” Hazel declared, watching him saunter off.

Great.

Another welcome addition to the palace.

We continued our way along the hallway, clambering over more broken rock till we came to what would have been the Emperor’s room – the recognizable gilded gold wallpaper still hanging in some places – though ripped and burnt.

“Here,” announced Hazel, coming to a half-broken wall. I looked up to see the rest of the sentries peering down from above.

“Hazel, be careful,” Tejus shouted down. I rolled my eyes at Ruby, but she didn’t share in the joke. Maybe she was starting to dig overly protective men?

Whatever.

We started exploring the room, being directed by the guard who shouted down instructions.

“It’s under here,” Ruby muttered, shifting a large stone away from the headboard. Hazel and I joined her, moving the debris until we uncovered a heavy metal box. Ruby picked it up with difficulty, and then gave it a shake. It sounded hollow, with a single, heavy object hitting the sides.

“How do we open it?” Hazel asked.