Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(10)

"Big keyhole," Seth said.


"The first key did open a door," Berrigan said. "Just on the far side of the Dreamstone."


"The next keyhole will be somewhere inside," Trask replied. "Make ready."


Seth and the others climbed down from the jeeps and checked their gear. Kendra came up beside Seth. "Having fun yet?" she asked.


"A little. I'm excited for the zombies to catch up. The best part so far was running them over."


Kendra shook her head. "We should check if Tanu has a potion for curing stupidity."


"I'm hoping to get another zombie hand. I can't believe I threw one away!"


Kendra rolled her eyes.


Seth gazed at the shadowy entryway. It was barely large enough for a person to enter walking upright. The floor of the narrow tunnel sloped upward out of sight. He might be immune to magical fear, but natural emotions still affected him like anyone. Sick with worry and anticipation, he suppressed a shudder and composed his expression. There was no way he would let his sister see his anxiety.


Trask strode to the mouth of the tunnel and faced the others. "This is not how we planned to enter the vault. We're rushed, we're tired, and we're under duress. On the bright side, we have less time to stress out about it. We can do this. We have a perfect team assembled, and we're well equipped. I'm ready. Let's go."


Laura stood up in her jeep. "I'm leaving. Good luck."


"Laura," Trask called. "Don't throw your life away. You know this preserve. Do what you can to stall our enemies, then get away."


"I'm in no hurry to die." She swung the jeep around and started speeding away.


Tanu approached Trask. "If you're taking the lead, let me carry the key."


Trask handed the iron egg to Tanu, unslung his enormous crossbow, and led the way into the tunnel. Advancing in single file, Vincent followed, then Mara, Berrigan, Tanu, Kendra, Seth, and finally Elise.


Just like the exterior of the Dreamstone, the ceiling, walls, and floor of the passage were smooth obsidian. Seth kept glancing over his shoulder until the entrance was out of sight. Elise watched their rear, keeping her compact crossbow ready.


"Where is the light coming from?" Mara asked.


Only after the question did Seth notice that nobody had flashlights out yet, but the corridor was lit by an even glow. He could see no source for the light.


"This is an unnatural place," Berrigan said.


The corridor began to curve in different directions. First left, then right, then down, then up and to the left, then down and right, and so on. Before long, Seth lost all sense of what direction they were moving in relation to where they had entered. The corridor never branched. The only choice was forward or back.


Seth remained tense, caressing the hilt of his sword as he walked. After several minutes, Trask said, "What have we here?"


"You have to be kidding me!" Vincent added.


Seth rose to his tiptoes and leaned from side to side trying to see what they were talking about, but the corridor was too narrow and there were too many bodies between him and Trask. As he kept moving forward, the tunnel widened, allowing the others to spread out. Soon Seth had a view of the dead end.


After widening, the corridor ended with a rounded wall. Mara, Vincent, and Trask were searching the end of the corridor and the surrounding walls. Tanu clicked on a flashlight, but the added shine revealed nothing new.


"We must have missed a turnoff," Elise suggested, looking back.


"The hall ran unbroken from the entrance," Mara responded with calm certainty. "There were no gaps in the ceiling, walls, or floor, no alternate routes whatsoever."


"I didn't see another way to go," Trask added. "There must be a secret passage."


"Did anyone notice a keyhole?" Kendra asked.


"I saw nothing," Mara replied. She sighed. "It may have been disguised."


"Use your hands and your eyes," Vincent said. "Hunt for any indentation or recess."


They scoured the area at the end of the passage. The ceiling was low enough that most of them could reach it. They searched diligently, but found nothing.


"The keyhole could have been anywhere along the passage," Trask finally said.


"There is nothing here," Vincent confirmed.


"That was a long corridor," Elise pointed out.


"Then we'd better get going," Trask said. "Let's not forget who is in pursuit. Keep your eyes open."


Trask took the lead again, and the others followed in the same order as before. Seth slid his hands along the glossy wall. How might the creators of this vault have camouflaged the next keyhole? Could it be covered by a hatch? Or shielded by a distracter spell?


"Kendra?" he said.


"Yes?"


"If the keyhole is protected by some kind of distracter spell, you might be the only one who can see it."


"That's a good point, Seth," Trask called back. "Keep a sharp lookout, Kendra."


"I'm trying."