Chapter 27

"Itold you it wouldn't be pleasant," Muda says, pointing at the dark tunnel that is barriered by bars of iron.

"Or easy," I mutter.

He walks over to it, turns sideways, and slips through a set of the bars. A task that there is no way Khiara and I will be able to do. There is not nearly enough space for us to squeeze through that tight space.

"We'll need a saw," Khiara says, going up to the bars.

I glare at them, anger building in my head until it feels as if a firestorm has ignited in my blood. Every inhale burns hotter, adding fuel to fire.

"We don't have time," I say, a low growl slipping out. "She is… could be…"

I can't finish the thoughts. Saying them aloud makes them more real. Khiara grasps my shoulder tightly and lowers his head until we're resting together. I grip his arms, breathing heavily, struggling to control the rage.

"We will save her," Khiara says speaking softly.

"We must," I say.

"For Tajss, for our people," Khiara answers. "She is hope."

Hope. A singular word, simple, yet he is right. She is everything I, no we, had lost. We were so lost in the depths of despair that we didn't even see how bad everything was. Before her.

The fire in my chest explodes, becoming an inferno. I tighten my grip on Khiara then pull him into a hug.

"I love you, brother," I whisper in his ear, then let him go and stride past towards the bars.

Intention and purpose coalesce in my head. The bars of iron are each as thick as my forearm, but nothing will stand between me and her. I will not allow it.

I take a grip on two of the bars. I adjust my hands until they feel right then I pull. I groan and strain, pulling with all that I have. My muscles bulge, swelling, straining, then they begin to quiver reaching the point of failure.

"Grawhhhh!" I roar, digging deeper.

Gweneth needs me. I will not fail her.

Khiara is at my side, joining in the effort then Muda is too. All of us groan, giving it all we have, but the bars hold strong. Resisting all that we have. Failure looms. Sliding its way insidiously into my thoughts. Urging me to give up.

No. Gweneth, I am coming. Hold on my dragoste.

My dragoste. My intended. The one Tajss created for me to share my life with. I know it with all the certainty that I know my own name. Strength comes from somewhere. Filling my muscles with a renewal.

The bars squeak. The immovable giving way to the inevitable. My love for her will not be stopped, no matter what the barrier.

They break free and the three of us stumble back, falling on our asses. The stale water splashes across, soaking all of us.

"Yes!" Muda exclaims, recovering the fastest.

He is on his feet thrusting one fist into the air. He runs to the tunnel then pauses, looking back over his shoulder.

"Come on!" he says, his voice high-pitched with excitement. "It's time to save the girl."

Yes. Yes, it is. Here I come Gweneth. And I bring death with me to any who have harmed you.