Аполлион

“Good. At the count of three, we’ll clear a path to the rocks ahead—” He cut off, swiping the sickle blade at a spider that ventured too close. Legs flew in every direction. “See the break in the rock there?”

I saw it. I also saw about a hundred spiders between us and the slim crack. “Uh-uh.”

“On the count of three, light it up and run. Do not stop. Okay?”

“Yeah.”

“One… two… three!”

Concentrating on the fire element, I extended my hand, as did Aiden. Balls of violet-colored flame hit the ground on both sides, spreading rapidly as they formed a wall.

“Go!” Aiden ordered, pushing me upward.

I scrambled over the ground, not surprised when I saw some of the hairy bastards leaping over the fire. Others rammed straight into it, but they fell to the side, hissing in pain. Aiden grabbed hold of my arm as we climbed the last of the rain-slick hill. Behind us, the spiders overtook the flames. The sound of their legs scuttling across the ground would haunt me right into group therapy. Reaching the top of the ledge, my fingers smacked off rock and I almost cried out in joy.

One of the quicker monsters lurched from below, latching onto my leg. My grip slipped and my heart leapt into my throat as the weight of the spider and the heavy cloak dragged me right back over the edge.

I let out a hoarse shout as my fingers continued to slip, but then Aiden was suddenly there, threading his arms under mine. He threw himself back, powerful muscles tensing and popping under the cloak as he pulled me over the ledge, spider and all. Pulling my free leg up, I twisted and rolled, slamming the heel of my boot into one of the spider’s eyes. Letting out a hiss, the spider slipped off my leg and tumbled down the hill, taking out a few of its friends with it.

Staggering to our feet, we slipped through the narrow crevice just as the mass of spiders breached the ledge and hit the wall.

CHAPTER 22

We traveled for what felt like hours through a cramped tunnel so dark that even my eyes were having a hard time adjusting to it. Aiden sent out a tiny ball of flame every few minutes, but neither of us wanted to risk the light for long—who knew what might be down here? Those spiders couldn’t fit into the narrow crack, but, knowing our luck, they probably had babies that would be more than eager to find us in the labyrinth of tunnel work.

Exhausted and soaked to the bone, we stopped as the tunnel widened into what appeared to be an entrance to a cavern. Aiden inched toward it, peering into the blackness. He held up a hand as I moved forward to check it out.

“Let me see what we got first, okay?” he asked.

I checked my urge to push him aside and help out. “Be my guest. If there’s an Underworld bear inside, let him gnaw on you first.”

Shooting me a wry grin, he shook his head and crept forward, dagger in hand. The tiny ball of flame he sent out was swallowed by the dark. Staying outside the cavern literally took all my self-control.

I leaned against the unseen but probably slimy rock, numb in my soaked clothing. I wasn’t even sure I still had all my fingers. It was a good thing that Aiden loved me and could look past my appearance. I didn’t doubt I looked like last week’s prom queen after a hellish night.

Aiden returned, his daggers sheathed for now. “All clear. We should be good for the night.”

Pushing off the rock, I followed him inside. It was a narrow fit for a few steps, and then it opened into a circular chamber—definitely drier inside, so that was a plus. Rain pelted the rock bed from a few relatively small holes in one part of the ceiling, but the rest was dry and suitable.

There was also something else inside…

Toward the left of the chamber was some kind of natural spring. Well, down here, I wasn’t sure what it was. For all we knew, it could be a vat of acid, but it smelled like…

“Jasmine,” I said.

“I know.” Aiden appeared at my side. He eased the hood back on my cloak and gently smoothed his thumb under my lip that no longer throbbed. “Strange, huh?”

“Everything is strange down here.” Moving closer to the pool of scented water, I held my hand out. Warmth tickled my palm. “It’s heated, but doesn’t seem too hot.”

Aiden had removed his hood. “I doubt we’d get lucky enough for a bath—Alex, don’t!”

Too late. I’d already knelt down and gingerly placed a finger into the water, figuring I could spare one. Water fizzled.

Air stirred around me as Aiden shot forward, grasping my shoulders.

“It’s okay.” I told him. Other than the sudden frothy bubbling, the water actually felt pleasant. It was so clear I could see the floor of the rock pool.

“Gods, Alex, you don’t just stick your finger into things.”

I arched a brow.

He rolled his eyes. “Your mind scares me.”

I grinned. “You like how my mind works.”

Instant heat darkened his eyes to silver. “Most of the time, yes.” He relaxed, letting go of my shoulders. “I’m not sure if we should start a fire.”

Straightening, I glared at my itchy, wet clothing. Damn.

His lips twitched. “It may draw unwanted attention.”

“Spiders,” I whispered.