Chapter 82

HAZEL

Zade led me down a second hallway and a stone-covered pathway until we reached a spiral staircase. We followed it all the way down until the smell of decay seeped up my nose and rats stood gnawing on bones in the corners—I realized that we were in the Council’s dungeon.

I stared at his back when he opened a door and his emotionless expression did little to ease my nerves, especially when he refused to say a word about where he was taking me.

Sewer water leaked from the pipes in the ceiling and we walked in puddles past the empty cells. All cells but one stood open and the metal on the one ahead was different, the bars were thick but a few of them were dented and bent.

“Come on,” Zade let me walk ahead and gestured for me to hurry.

He’s in a rush but he can’t tell me why—then don’t rush me. I rolled my eyes and hurried ahead but I was wary of everything around us, especially the nasty-looking sewer rats who were to fat and furry for my liking, it m