“There are no other paths that we could find; it’s just this one narrow corridor all the way to the barrier.” Lanthorne’s voice drifted forward to us.
“We seem to have spent a lot of time buried in caves lately,” Lucy muttered. “We should head back to Spurn for some sun and relaxation.”
Talina snorted. “I don’t think your last visit there was very relaxing.”
“That wasn’t our fault. We didn’t break Spurn. Those sea-monsters and crazy Walkers were already there when we arrived,” Lucy said.
The three of us chuckled; it echoed around the caves in an overly loud resonance. But as our laughter died away I realized there were other noises adding to the clatter. The Walkers were just ahead of us.
“Josian,” one of them said as he stepped away from the group to greet his Princeps. “We have created a small incision in the field, but a strange whining noise resulted so we halted progress until you arrived to advise us.”
A dozen Reds were scattered along the narrow tunnel, right up to the solid wall blocking the path ahead. We moved as close as we could, but with so many Walkers around, we were far from the barrier.
“Wait here. I’ll barge my way through and see what we have blocking the path.” Josian kissed Lallielle on the cheek, then true to his word forced his way through, his broad shoulders knocking his men into the walls.
I was getting antsy now. I knew Brace was close by and my soul was straining to connect, to fill the void that was slowly chipping away at my psyche. I closed my eyes and breathed in a few deep breaths, all to stop myself from barreling through everyone and having a crack at two-foot-kicking the barrier down. Yeah, I know I had energy balls and that, but how cool would it be to kick down the wall?
“You look like crap,” Lucy said, interrupting my breakdown.
I opened my eyes to glare at her. Instead, snorts of laughter burst from me.
“Maybe you should have a quick look in the mirror before commenting on my appearance. You look like you’ve not only fallen onto the crazy train, but are the driver.”
She barely had her eyes open, squinting at me through her parted fingers. Suddenly she gasped. Her blue eyes almost rolled back into her head.
“The zombies are back,” she spat out.
Before I could force more information from her the barrier fell. I shuddered as a chill ran along my spine; I noticed the others had similar reactions.
“Josian?” Lallielle called out.
He was back at her side in a matter of seconds.
“None of us could penetrate the barrier; it dropped on its own. Which I’m sure we all agree is in no way suspicious.” Josian grinned before stretching to his full height, his head almost brushing the stone ceiling. “Nothing to do now but continue along the path.”
The Reds started to move through in single file; it was too narrow for anything else. We waited patiently for the path to clear.
“What happens if that barrier closes behind us? We don’t want to be trapped under a cave system with no way to get out.” Fury had her hands on her hips, refusing to move.
“Walkers are never trapped anywhere,” Josian said.
His confidence was a welcome help to keep the panic at bay.
Fury glared at him, but didn’t comment again. Shuffling forward, we moved with the group until we reached the previously barred area. As I stepped through I almost dropped to my knees. The other side felt different, the air thick and cloying. And that sick feeling was back in my stomach, the one I got when I was overloaded on negative energy.
Lucy let out a strangled shriek. I spun around just in time to catch her as she collapsed. Josian’s light floated above our heads, allowing me to examine her face closely. She was completely out, her breathing swift and eyelids flickering in rapid motions. I tried to read her thoughts but as usual she was blocked. I snorted out my frustration.
“Lucy!” I said in a demanding tone. “Luce!”
Her eyelids almost opened, but I only got a glimpse of white, as if her eyes were rolled back in her head.
“What’s wrong with her?” I looked up at Josian and Lallielle, who were crouching over me.
“It looks as if her system was overloaded,” Lallielle said, taking one of Lucy’s limp hands, “the psychic energy is very strong here.”
“She’s unconscious; why can’t I enter her mind?” I bit out.
“Soothsayers have special securities surrounding their thoughts. I should have guessed from the start when I also could not read her,” Josian said. “There are very few beings who could keep me out, and especially no Earthling.”
“She’s untrained, Jos.” Lallielle turned to Josian, her eyes crinkling as she gripped Lucy’s hand tighter. “Who knows the overload she’s been trying to deal with?”