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Seth adjusted the black stone mask that covered his face. The cold winter air cooled the mask, making it slightly more bearable to wear. Seth was not sure how the twins had managed to wear these things for so long.

The scent of the halfling who had once worn this uniform still clung to his mask and clothes. Two halflings lay dead in the snow behind the inn. Their bodies were hidden in the brush of the forest tree line. He could only hope that the bodies were not discovered before they could finish their mission.

There were so many things that could go wrong. Cassius’s words from the other night still rang in his mind. Their plan all hinged on if the Princess was even being held here.

Seth knew he was becoming desperate, but he could not give up on finding his Princess. He had to free Ellinna, he owed her that much. She had once sworn on her life that she would never hurt him and he had sworn the same. An unbreakable vow made by two children. He had made himself a promise that day too, to always protect her. No matter what.

He had failed.

He had left her in that palace. Stupidly believing she was better off without him. He had left her and she had paid the price for that stupid mistake.

He could not let himself think about that. Not now. He needed to concentrate.

Seth’s boots clicked on the stone floor as he descended down level after level. Royal guards nodded their greetings as he and Cassius walked past them. The eye patch he wore severely limited his sight, but his senses were on high alert. Monitoring every movement, sound, and smell around him.

Cassius walked in step beside him. Casually leading the way to the cell they had been assigned to guard. This was possibly the easiest disguise Seth had ever worn. He knew Callum’s mannerisms almost as well as he knew his own. The slight buzz of Valen’s glamour that made his teal blue eyes green tickled his face, reassuring him the magic was still firmly in place.

Seth resisted the urge to stare at the ornate carvings that filled every inch of the prison. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. If it had not been for the crushing smell of iron in every breath he took, and the screams of terror and pain that echoed through the halls, he might have called the place beautiful.

Ornate designs were carved into every archway and banister. Smaller designs were carved into any nook and cranny they could be put. It was as if this place was originally designed to be a palace and not a prison.

It was Valen who had changed the assignment roster so that Cassius and Callum were assigned to watch the guarded cell. Seth had insisted he take Callum’s place. He needed to see her. Needed to hold her in his arms once more.

Seth’s breathing hitched as he forced those emotions down deep inside of himself. Cassius gave him a knowing glance.

Guards roamed the halls in pairs of two. The shift change was the one time when two extra guards would not be noticed. As they made their way to the third level, Callum and Kat were making their way to the tenth level, far below them. It was there that the worst monsters and creatures were imprisoned.

This prison was built upside down. The only level above the surface was the first level. Each level went further and further below the earth’s surface.

Seth let out a breath of relief as they reached the third level.

“Now,” Cassius muttered. Seth took a calming breath and did not let himself react early as a cracking sound split through the sky three levels above them. The crack of lightning was quickly followed by an explosion of thunder. Cassius and Seth hit the ground as the building shook. The guards outside the cell looked at them with wide eyes.

“Go!” Cassius yelled, “we will stand guard!”

The guards did not think twice, recognizing Cassius’s voice they muttered for Seth and Cassius to be safe before running towards the stairwell.

Already guards were swarming towards the surface of the prison, armed and ready to fight off whatever force awaited them. But they would find none. Deep below them, Seth could already hear the horrible screams of the hollows and wraiths that Callum and Kat were releasing. Valen and Aaron were hidden well along the wall, shielded by the witch’s glamour. The client communication between the twins and the witch made it possible for missions like these. Valen and Aaron were monitoring the situation from above. They would know well in advance of any potential trouble on the surface. Seth walked behind Cassius, careful to not seem too hurried as he walked. They were almost to the cell door when a gruff voice called out from behind them.

“Stop!”

Cassius came to a halt and turned to face the voice. Seth calmly copied Cassius’s movements. Emblazoned on the chest of the huge male was the crest of the Captain of the Royal Guard. Seth silently cursed at their poor luck. As the Captain walked towards them, he did not seem phased by the chaos erupting above them.

“Sir,” Cassius responded, saluting the Captain. Seth copied him with ease. The movement was second nature to him. The male silently waved off their salute allowing them to relax.

“You’re the mute?” He asked looking to Seth for his answer.

“Yes, my brother is mute,” Cassius answered for him. Seth gave a slight nod of his head in agreement.

“Good,” The words sounded more like a growl.

“Come,” The Captain said before turning and walking back towards the stairwell. The order, clearly only intended for Seth.

Without hesitation, Seth obeyed. He could not show any fear or hesitation. Any slip-up could mean more than just a failed mission. It could be the death of his entire team.

Seth glanced back at Cassius who had taken up his loan post outside the cell door. He hoped to the Fates that Cassius would be able to complete their mission alone.

As they descended two more levels Royal Guards and Prison Guards continued to run up the stairs. The snarls of the monsters below them grew louder with each passing second.

Seth just hoped he was in one of the halls before the monsters could reach their level. The beasts would not stop to question anyone before they killed them.

An ornate 5 was carved into the side of the wall by the archway where they stopped and entered a hallway. Seth let out a breath he had not realized he was holding.

He felt the temperature drop as they walked further down the narrow torch-lit hall. It was so cold, if he had not been wearing the mask, his breath would have surely fogged in the air.

Ahead, in the center of the hall, Seth could see two black-masked guards standing watch outside a cell.

Just how many cells did the Prince have guarded?

The guards seemed to relax a little as they realized it was their Captain who was approaching. They quickly saluted them, but the Captain merely grunted in reply. The sound confirmation was enough for the two guards to relax.

“The Princess’s execution has been ordered by the Prince,” The Captain said motioning to a cell labeled 513. Seth could not make his body move. Every muscle in his body had gone to stone at that one word, Princess. The other two guards looked wide-eyed at the Captain and Seth. He was not sure if they were surprised at what the Captain had said or the fact that he had said so much.

The Captain put his hand on the hilt of his blade and patted it twice. Seth could practically see the smile beneath his stone mask. Seth’s stomach twisted, but he nodded his head in understanding.

Maybe, just maybe the Fates were on his side after all. His heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the iron door before him. The Captain flipped through the keys on his key ring before he found the one he was looking for.