For that reason, Shea gave it some thought. It was possible. Everyone was on edge. Zeph’s observation that this was a city inhabited by the dead wasn’t far off. It certainly felt that way, with its oppressive air and the feeling that it was waiting for something that would never come.
Shea looked up at the sky. Certain parts of the cavern ceiling had crumbled, crushing the buildings below and leaving rubble strewn all over. It had created gaps through which sun could pierce. The roots of vegetation grew through small spaces, as if reaching for the city below.
Shea shook her head. “I think this is separate from that. It’s the third time I’ve felt that we’re not alone here. It feels like something is following us, though I don’t know what, or who, or if it’s dangerous.” Frustration colored her voice.
Fallon laid a hand on the small of her back, giving her support without saying a word. She took a deep breath and met his gaze. He gave her a firm nod of approval.
She smiled at him briefly before turning back to the city in front of her. She took a step only to stop abruptly. This time it was no secret what had caused her caution. Low voices echoed off the deserted stone buildings around them.
Fallon let out a quiet whistle. His Anateri dropped to a crouch, running on swift feet to take position at the front of their party where the sound was coming from. Eamon found a spot and hid behind it, unsheathing his dagger.
Shea stayed where she was, knowing that Fallon would lose his mind if she tried to get closer or inserted herself into the middle of danger. She was willing to give him this. When all was said and done, she wasn’t a fighter. Not like the Anateri and Fallon. She would defend herself from a beast, but she would prefer not to.
There was a soft clatter as whatever approached sent a small pebble skating across the cobblestone street.
Shea held her breath.
A figure appeared around the building, followed quickly by another then a third—this one Shea recognized. She released her breath and straightened, calling out softly, “Buck.”
His gaze shot to hers, taking in the Anateri crouched and waiting and the tension in the rest of her party’s bodies. He raised his hand and waved.
The Anateri put their weapons up and straightened. Their bodies were still alert, but they didn’t look like they were going to spring into attack at any moment.
Buck was followed by Clark, Fiona and a man Shea didn’t recognize.
“Fancy meeting you guys here.”
Eamon snorted before laying a censorious glance on Buck. “I thought you had the western quadrant.”
Buck grinned and shrugged. “We finished our sweep and thought we’d help another group with theirs before we headed back to the rendezvous point.”
“I’m sure.” Eamon expression was wry. He was well acquainted with Buck’s curiosity. “I should have known you wouldn’t have been able to resist exploring further.”
“How’d you get stuck with this guy?” Shea asked in greeting as Clark and Fiona approached.
“Punishment.” Fiona’s voice was dry.
Buck pressed a hand to his chest in mock hurt. He turned and looked at Shea. “You want some company? We’d be happy to tag along.”
“Speak for yourself,” the tall man at Buck’s side said, looking around with suspicion. “It feels like these buildings are biding their time—waiting to consume us. My grandmother used to warn me about places like this.”
“Stuff it, Johnny,” Buck snapped back. “Put on your big boy breeches and act like a Trateri instead of a mealy-mouthed Lowlander.”
Shea gave Buck a meaningful frown at that insult.
“Hey, you’re not a Lowlander. You can’t take offense to those insults anymore,” Buck said, pointing a finger at her.
Shea sighed. “I don’t have an objection with your presence.” She looked at Fallon after her answer. He might feel otherwise.
He lifted an eyebrow and folded his arms, making it clear this was her party. It was up to her.
“It’ll be like old times,” Shea told Buck.
He grinned back at her, “Hopefully not entirely. I doubt the Warlord wants to see you swinging off any buildings.”
Fallon’s response was swift. “Yes, this Warlord would prefer your feet to remain firmly on the ground for the foreseeable future.”
Shea shook her head with a wry smile. She didn’t say anything, but it was a sentiment she shared. She’d had enough sailing through the air to last for a lifetime. There were only so many times a person could freefall before their luck ran out and there wasn’t something to catch them.
“Before I forget, you didn’t happen to notice anything while you were looking for us?” she asked.
Buck cocked his head as he frowned in thought. After a moment, he shook his head. “No, nothing of note. How ‘bout you guys?”
Fiona spoke, “Nothing but empty buildings and silent streets. Not even the hint of the inhabitants who used to live here.”
Shea figured as much. Whatever, or whoever was out there, was doing a good job of disguising their presence.
Shea took the lead, letting the others fall in behind her.
“What do you think happened here?” Johnny asked.
“Whatever it was must have been pretty bad,” Fiona answered. “Most of these buildings look like they’re pretty intact even after however many years. The inhabitants wouldn’t have abandoned them without reason.”
“You mean besides the fact that they’re in a cavern?” Clark asked.
“I don’t know. A cavern doesn’t seem so bad,” Buck said. “You’re protected from most nasties and since no one knows you’re down here, it’d be hard to invade.”
“I don’t think I could give up the stars and the sun,” one of Fallon’s Anateri volunteered.
Shea agreed. Humans weren’t meant to survive in total darkness and isolation. There had been plenty of stories through the years of people going mad when living in either. Perhaps that was what had happened here. Perhaps the inhabitants did try to live down here and had gone crazy and killed each other. Stranger things had happened during that time period.
There was a creek, a sound at odds with the quiet of before. Shea halted and looked up. Fallon, attuned to Shea’s every move, stopped and glanced at her. The rest of the group continued forward a few steps before noticing Shea’s preoccupation.
Her instincts clamored at her—stronger than before. Something was wrong. There was another sound, like that of stone fracturing. The wall for a building, one that had partially crumbled under the last cave in, shifted. Not much, but it was enough.
Shea watched in horror as it slowly tilted. It hit the point of no return and began toppling.
“It’s collapsing, run!” she shouted. The men watched for a frozen moment before scattering, trying to avoid the stone as it rained down from above.
Fallon grabbed Shea’s arm and hauled her behind him. A small rock struck her shoulder, making her cry out. Fallon held one arm above his head, protecting it from the smaller rubble.
The wall toppled into another building. With a loud groan, it buckled and began to give way, falling toward them as they fled. Shea and Fallon dodged, running for all they were worth as another building in front of them began to fall, this one three stories high and much bigger.