Hayley’s POV

The chamber was in shadow, fragments of light flitting across stone walls like troubled spirits. The air smelt heavily of incense, and the sounds of distant chanting filled our ears at all times, a constant declaration on behalf of the cultists that they were here. An aura of oppressive energy seemed to be pressing down on me, reminding me that I was deep in the stronghold and there could not be any gainsaying it.

But no way was I going to quit, not now, not ever. That was because of two people, Aiden and Ethan, who were risking it all to save me; I felt myself swell with...