Chapter 136 Through the Trap, Into the Light
Wynter‘s POV
“We’re going to Sublevel Five,” I said. “But carefully. Serra, can you detect magical traps as we move?”
She nodded. “I can try. But Wynter, if this is as sophisticated as I think—”
“Then we deal with it when we get there. Brennan, take point. Serra, stay between us, keep that detection spell active. I’ll watch our backs.”
Through the Bond, I sent Chase our new destination. Wynter, wait for me. Let me get there first—
No time. The projection said dawn execution. If that’s true, we have maybe three hours. Not enough for a full assault.
Then we do a surgical strike, Chase insisted. Ten minutes. Give me ten minutes to reach you with a strike team and we go in together.
I wanted to agree, but I looked at the coordinates, heard Jax’s scream, and felt something in my chest pull tight. Five minutes. We’ll do recon, map approaches, identify defenses. But Chase—if we get an opening—
Then you take it, he sent, resignation and pride mixing. Just—be careful. Please.
Always, I promised, already moving.
Sublevel Five was deeper than expected, the air colder and damper as we descended maintenance stairwells. Cobwebs stretched across corners, walls showed water damage, but the dust had been disturbed recently—fresh footprints, scuff marks where something heavy had been dragged.
“Someone’s been through here in the last few hours,” Brennan observed. “Multiple people. Dragging something—prisoners.”
We reached the bottom and faced a heavy iron door marked with Bloodrock’s crest. It wasn’t locked—our first warning. I pushed it open, wincing at the creak.
The corridor beyond was well-lit, with empty cells lining both sides. At the far end, faint light spilled from a larger chamber.
“The interrogation block,” Serra whispered, her detection crystal glowing. “Wynter—magic everywhere. Pressure plates, trigger runes, proximity wards—this corridor is a trap.”
“Can you map them?” I asked.
“I can try, but—” Her crystal flared. “This isn’t just defense. It’s a kill box.”
Through the Bond, Chase’s alarm spiked. Wynter, get out. That’s not a rescue—it’s an execution chamber.
I know, I sent, but I was already moving forward, drawn by the sound of labored breathing. My boot came down on what looked like solid stone, and I felt it give slightly. Time slowed as Serra screamed “Back!” and the pressure plate clicked.
“Run!” I shouted, throwing myself backward as steel spikes dropped from the ceiling, missing my hand by inches, sealing the corridor ahead.
The floor shuddered, cracks spreading, and I realized the trap had multiple stages—the spikes were just the first. The floor was designed to collapse.
“The walls!” Brennan shouted, moving to the nearest cell. “Brace against the door frames—they’re reinforced—”
The floor gave way with a roar, and I fell, catching the edge of a cell door frame. Pain exploded through my arm, but I held on.
Serra caught the opposite frame, her injured arm protesting. Brennan slid past, his fingers clawing at stone, then his hand caught my ankle, his weight nearly pulling me down.
“Let go,” Brennan gasped. “Wynter, you can’t hold us both—”
“Shut up,” I snarled, grabbing his wrist. “Serra—the rope—”
She threw the rope, and after two tries, I caught it, released the frame, and we dropped before the rope went taut.
“Climb!” Serra commanded. I obeyed, hauling Brennan up with me.
We collapsed on solid floor, gasping for air and shaking with adrenaline. Through the Bond, Chase’s relief hit me.
I’m okay, I sent, though my shoulder was swelling and my hands bled.
You’re not going any further, he sent, Alpha command in his voice. That’s an order. You almost died—
But we didn’t, I interrupted, forcing myself to stand. And Chase—look where we are.
The collapse had broken through into another tunnel system. We stood in an ancient drainage channel, walls carved with marks that predated Bloodrock. From ahead came the scent of fresh blood.
Jax’s blood.
“They’re here,” I breathed. “Not in the interrogation block—here. In these tunnels.”
Serra’s crystal pulsed. “No magical traps ahead. Just emptiness. Like this section wasn’t supposed to be accessible.”
“Because it wasn’t,” Brennan said. “The trap was designed to kill, not drop people here. We survived by accident and found something Bloodrock didn’t want found.”
Through the Bond, Chase’s tactical mind worked. That’s why the coordinates were bait. They wanted to kill you before you found the real location. The trap malfunctioned—or we got lucky—and now we’re where Draven didn’t want us.
Then let’s make him regret it, I sent, moving forward.
The tunnel opened into a chamber carved from natural caves, water dripping from stalactites. In the center, lit by a guttering torch—
Jax hung from chains, feet barely touching the ground, body bearing the injuries we’d seen in the hologram. This was real—I could smell the blood, see his chest rise and fall.
Beside him, chained to a pillar, Anne slumped with the dampener collar glowing red.
Two guards stood watch—just two, because this location was supposed to be secret. They were relaxed, attention on a card game.
Through the Bond, I sent Chase our position. I’m five minutes out. Wait for me—
No time, I sent, signaling Serra and Brennan. Two guards. We can take them quietly. By the time you get here, we’ll have Jax and Anne ready for extraction.
Wynter—
Trust me.
We moved as one—Brennan took the left guard with a blade, Serra’s magic suffocated the right. Ten seconds, and the chamber was silent except for water and Jax’s breathing.
I ran to him, hands shaking. “Jax. Jax, can you hear me?”
His eyes fluttered open. “Sis,” he breathed. “You… came…”
“Of course I came,” I said, voice breaking. Burns from silver, lash marks, bruises. “We’re getting you out.”
“Draven…” He struggled to focus. “He knows… about the ledger… setting trap… for your father… tonight…”
“We’ll stop him,” I promised, searching the guards for keys. “But first we’re getting you safe.”
Anne stirred as Serra approached, her one good eye opening. “You shouldn’t have come,” she whispered. “It’s a trap. He wanted you to find us. Wanted—” Another jolt from the collar cut her off.
“Serra, the collar—”
“I need tools,” she said, examining the lock. “It’s designed to kill her if tampered with wrong.”
“Then we carry her with it on,” Brennan said, moving to support Anne. “We’ll deal with it later.”
I found the keys and unlocked Jax’s chains. He collapsed, and I caught him, feeling how light he’d become.
“Can you walk?” I asked.
“No,” he admitted. “Legs… they broke my legs…”
Rage surged, but I forced it down. We needed to move.
Brennan shifted Anne onto his back, I did the same with Jax. My shoulder screamed, but I welcomed the pain.
Through the Bond, I sent: We have them. Coming out now.
I’m at the tunnel entrance. Father’s forces are moving into position—full assault imminent. Get to me and we extract together.
We moved as quickly as we dared. Every step sent pain through my shoulder, Jax’s breathing labored against my neck, but we were moving.
The tunnel seemed shorter on the way out. Then we saw light—magical flares.
Chase stood at the tunnel mouth with Silvermoon soldiers, relief on his face. He closed the distance, his hands cupping my face, eyes scanning me for injuries.
“You’re hurt,” he said, thumb brushing blood from my lip.
“I’m fine,” I lied, letting him take Jax’s weight. “We need to get them to medical—”
“Already arranged,” Chase said, gesturing to soldiers. “Father’s forces are in position. Full assault now.”
“It’s really happening,” I breathed, staring at the lights.
Chase pulled out his encrypted device and typed to his father: Primary targets secured. Hostages recovered alive. Minimal obstacles. Recommend immediate full assault. This is our chance to end this.
The response came within seconds: Assault commencing. All forces advance. For Silvermoon.