Do Not Turn Around!

Do Not Turn Around!


Vaelora's POV

“Ugh!”

I twisted his fingers until they bent at an unnatural angle and yanked his arm forward, dragging his entire weight beneath me before flinging him onto the floor.

His back hit the stone with a sickening thud. His eyes bulged, a strangled cough tearing from his throat as spit dribbled down his chin.

I bent down and grabbed the sword from its sheath.

By then, the man inside the cell had been alerted by the noise and stopped what he was doing. He turned toward me, confusion flashing across his face.

“Vaelora? Why are you here? Did my sister send you?” he asked, pushing himself to his feet.

I did not answer. My grip tightened around the sword, the leather wrapping squeezing into my palm as I walked toward him.

Seeing this, his hand groped blindly for a weapon, but instead brushed against the heated iron. A sharp hiss escaped him as the smell of burnt skin filled the air. He jerked back, cursing loudly, clutching his reddened hand.

While he stared at the burn, swearing, I closed the distance. I flipped the sword in my grip and slammed the pommel hard against his temple.

“Ahh!” He groaned as his body crumpled to the ground. “What the fuck did you do that for...”

Before he could finish, my boot drove into his head with full force. His skull snapped sideways and struck the stone floor.

His eyes rolled back, and his body went limp.

Breathing heavily, I threw the sword aside. It clattered across the dungeon floor.

“You cannot even recognize your own blood,” I said, my voice low and shaking with fury. “Pathetic.”

“Mmmm!”

Aerila’s muffled scream jolted me back to why I was here.

Voices echoed faintly from the main entrance. The guards haven't noticed anything yet.

I did not have much time.

“I’m here,” I whispered as I rushed to her and began untying the chains. “You’re safe, Aerila. I’ll get you out of here.”

She cannot stay here any longer.

The chains loosened around her wrists, and her body sagged forward. I caught her before she hit the ground, her weight collapsing against me.

I quickly removed the shackles from her ankles and yanked the sack off her head.

Her face was pale and covered with sweat. Strands of hair clung to her lips and cheeks. Her lashes trembled as she blinked against the sudden light.

Without wasting time, I pulled the rag from her mouth. She coughed violently, spitting onto the floor, her chest heaving.

“T-thank you,” she breathed, her voice thin and unsteady, her body barely able to remain upright.

I nodded, but at that moment, footsteps thundered from outside.

“What happened here?!” someone shouted.

Aerila’s fingers dug weakly into my sleeve, panic flooding her eyes.

“Do not worry,” I said, forcing steadiness into my voice as I slid one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back, lifting her into my arms. I rushed out of the cell.

“Who’s there?” someone roared behind me.

“Close your ears, Aerila!” I gritted, sprinting down the corridor. I had no clear memory of the dungeon’s layout. The walls blurred past me as my boots struck the stone.

“What happened?” another voice demanded.

“Get the guards to surround all possible exits. There is a traitor on the run. They have Lady Aerila with them. Inform the Alphas!”

“Block the Southern exit!”

Shit.

“Do you know how we can get out of here?” I shouted, my lungs burning as I ran. My breath came in ragged pulls, as dizziness crept into my head.

“Go to the left,” she answered weakly. “That is the only place I know the guards cannot enter.”

“Are you sure? What if they are hiding there...” but the words died in my throat as I saw the reason why.

The corridor ahead was lined with massive iron spikes jutting from the walls. Bull traps covered the floor, their metal jaws half hidden in corners. A massive boulder blocked the narrow passage ahead.

This is a death trap!

Cold dread crept up my spine.

“We cannot get through here,” I muttered, scanning the area desperately.

Heavy footsteps echoed behind us, growing louder with every second. Then a deep vibration shook the dungeon. Dust and small stones rained from the ceiling.

“It is the bell,” Aerila whispered, her breath trembling. “The Alphas know I am missing. You must leave, Vaelora. I can be spared, but your life will be taken if you are found. Someone is working in the shadows. They will not hesitate to brand you a traitor.”

Her body shook violently in my arms. The fear in her eyes was real this time.

“No.” I didn't have a choice anyway. e Leaving the Pack now would only condemn me, and make the mastermind succeed.

I will never let them get what they want.

“We will get out of here,” I said, tightening my hold on her. “Just not this way. There has to be another path.”

'The Southern exit.' I remember someone yelling about it.

I turned and bolted in that direction. Even if there was only the smallest chance, I would take it.

When I reached it, the bronze door loomed before me.

I gently lowered Aerila to the floor, resting her back against the wall. She winced fainting staring at me worriedly.

“I will open the door,” I said quietly.

I stepped forward and closed my eyes, straining my ears for any movement beyond the door. My breathing slowed as I hoped this wasn't a trap.

Ten seconds passed. Nothing.

I wrapped my fingers around the rusted knob. It felt cold beneath my grip. Clenching my teeth, I twisted it and pulled the door back, but at that moment something icy pressed against my neck.

I froze.

My heart pounded violently in my chest. I slowly released the knob and raised my hands in surrender.

I could not perceive their scent.

How did they approach without making a sound?

What about Aerila?

My gaze shifted toward her as I began to turn.

“Do not turn around..." an indifferent voice said calmly. “My hand might slip.”

I stopped breathing.

My throat went dry as I swallowed.

This is bad.

If I do not act soon, I will be completely surrounded.