Chapter 154
Osiris and I descended into the basement together, and Thomas and Eli went to check the old park
amenities out the back of the council to check the tunnels there Walking down the winding corridors
until we reached two massive gates blocking ess to the tunnels beneath the council We could see
the old and weathered stone walls, showing signs of wear and tear from years of use.
As we got closer to the gates, we could feel a chill in the air, the wind whistling loudly in the tunnels.
Moving toward the back of the basement, wee across the old tunnel system, and it is, as
expected,pletely sealed off with bars. Osiris shines the torch into the dark tunnel, illuminating the
ancient cobblestone walls and the thickyer of mold and mildew that has settled over everything.
Peering over his shoulder, I can just make out the old rusted pipes along the ceiling and the asional
rat scurrying around in the shadows. “Nothing.” Osiris says when I hear the faintest noise.
“We can check.”
“Shh.” I tell him, holding up a finger.
Bending down, I listen. Osiris instantly fell silent, but I thought I heard a banging sound like old copper
pipes being banged on. When I don’t hear it anymore, I rise to my feet.
We turn for the stairs when Osiris grabs my arm just as we hear it again. We both turn slowly, looking at
the tunnel system. Moving toward the bars. I nce around the room, looking for something to break
them. Peering into the tunnel, Osiris hands me a torch, and I shine it down the tunnel “Elena!” I shout
Silence for a few seconds when I hear Soyer’s voice. It is faint, but I know I am not mistaken.
“She’s down here,” I look at Osiris, and his eyes widen. “Finding something to break these bars,” Osiris
rushes off but returns secondster with nothing. Digging my phone from my pocket, I call Thomas’
number, knowing Eli had left to search the old tunnels under the amenities block of the park out back
with Thomas, and I could feel he was mind-linking with the patrols on the borders.
The phone rings a few times when Osiris grips one bar. “Grab the other. We might be able to open it
enough to squeeze through,” Osiris tells me. I ce the phone on the loudspeaker, grabbing one bar
while Osiris grips the other. We bend the bars creating a gap when Thomas finally answers.
“Hello?” he grumbles, sounding half asleep.
Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“Thomas, where are you? Bring some men and torches, along with a crowbar, to break these bars off,”
Osiris tells him. I ce my foot on the brickwork, using it as leverage to pry the bars further apart.
“I’m at home. You want me to do what? What time is it?” My blood runs cold, and it is like a bucket of
ice was tossed over me. Osiris’ head snaps up, and his eyes meet mine. I can see the question in his
eyes. If Thomas is at home, who is upstairs with Eli?
“That’s not Thomas,” Osiris murmurs when we hear rancorousughter.
“Well done, Alpha. You are correct.” A sinister voice has us both turning to find Thomas standing by the
stairs. Only he isn’t alone. Eli’s limp body is over his shoulder. He cracks his neck, and in the distance, I
can hear Thomas demanding to know what is going on.
Khan presses beneath my skin, and Thomas’ body shudders and ripples. It is like a veil is lifted, and
Cane suddenly takes his ce. However, this man is not the Cane I spent countless hours in meetings
with and grew up with.
This Cane is a Strigoi. He walks closer, stalking us like a predator hunting its prey. My skin ripples with
the need to shift, and the moment Cane lunges at me just as I lunge at him, giving Khan control. Khan
tears into Cane’s arm at the same time Osiris shifts to help.
“Set me free before he returns,” Soyer whispers, and I lift my head. I don’t want to leave Axton, but
we’d need two people to help get him up. Rushing over with the crowbar, I break his other hand, and
Soyer grits his teeth.