Free Dark Descent - [Nyx Fortuna 02] by Marlene Perez Page A

our plan.
    “How are we going to get in without being noticed?” I asked. “We’re walking in right in the middle of the dinner rush.”
    “We can’t use an obscura spell this time,” he said. “Too many demons around.”
    Unlike mortals, demons could see right through an obscura spell, which is why Talbot and I had been hiding last time we were in the basement. They weren’t completely immune to magic, but it took dark magic to get a demon to do your bidding. I wasn’t interested in trying.
    “You’re right,” I said.
    “Which is why I brought this,” he said. He took out a map and handed it to me with a flourish. “We’ll go this way instead.”
    There was the sound of running footsteps and then Naomi called out, “Wait up!”
    “Did you tell her?” I asked him.
    “Of course not,” he replied.
    I surveyed her. “What are you wearing?”
    My cousin wore clothes similar to mine and Talbot’s: jeans, sturdy hiking boots, and a heavy jacket. “It’s going to be cold down there,” she said.
    “Down where?” Talbot couldn’t pull off the innocent look.
    “I know you’re up to something,” my cousin said. “I saw the map.”
    “And if we are?” My tone didn’t discourage her, although that was the intent.
    “I’m coming with you,” she said.
    Talbot and I exchanged a look, but she caught us. “I’m going and that’s all there is to it. Do you think Claire will just leave with you two? She doesn’t know either of you.”
    Naomi had a point. I had the impression that she and Claire were close. Maybe she could coax Claire out of there.
    “What makes you think Claire is there willingly?” I asked.
    “You don’t know her,” she said. “No one could stop her if she wanted to leave.”
    “Why do you say that?” Talbot asked.
    “She’s a Fate,” Naomi said simply.
    She had a point. “Fates aren’t invincible, Naomi,” I said. I regretted it as soon as her face clouded.
    “What Nyx means is that we should consider all the possibilities,” Talbot said. “Even the remote ones.”
    We huddled together to study the map.
    “I think this is an alternate path to the gate,” Talbot said. “This tunnel is right under Hell’s Belles.”
    “An underground tunnel?” Naomi didn’t sound thrilled.
    “Claustrophobic?”
    “A little,” she admitted. “But I can handle it. For Claire.”
    “Did you remember the key?” Talbot asked me.
    I snorted. “Of course.” I held it up.
    “Then let’s go,” he said.
    After some searching, we finally found the entrance to the underground tunnel about a block from Hell’s Belles. Talbot strapped on a helmet with a light attached and Naomi giggled.
    The entrance of the tunnel was full of beer cans, used condoms, and a horrifying smell, damp and foul, like an ogre’s armpit.
    “Humans are disgusting,” Naomi sniffed.
    “It’s going to get worse,” I warned her. “At least you’re dressed warmly.” The tunnels would be cold and damp. And that’s if we were lucky. Who knew what had made a home down below or what was guarding the gate.
    “There’s a warren of utility tunnels all over the city,” Talbot said. He led the way as we stumbled over the uneven dirt. We were heading down and it grew darker and darker, except where a dim bulb flickered, meant to show workers the way.
    We walked until Talbot’s light shone upon what to the average person would look like graffiti, but to those who read the ancient language it was written in, it was meant as a guide. Or as a warning.
    “Not far now,” Talbot said.
    The air smelled stale, full of pungent odors I didn’t want to try to identify. I tried to breathe through my mouth, but the air was so foul it coated my tongue. I shut my jaw, deciding that smelling the stench was better than tasting it.
    Hecate was a pissed-off virgin or a wrinkled old crone, depending upon who you talked to. Which meant she was probably neither of those things.
    I suspected she was a border lord, guarding the