His Dark Obsession by Moonlight Muse

28. In the Crypt

ZEDKIEL.

“Maybe if I can get in and try to see if something is stuck…” Zlahra says, falling to her knees and peering into the tiny opening.

“None of us are going to fit down there.” I say, unease filling me.

“And you may be the smallest of us all, but I think you forget that your ass is far from tiny.” Kash says bending down beside her.

“Piss off.” She hisses, shoving him right where he’s injured.

He curses as he clutches his shoulder and looks forward again.

“Force won’t work. The building is in ruins.” Ziahra says, looking up.

“Let’s try to pry it open.” I suggest, letting go of Evelyn’s hand as she steps back silently.

It takes the four of us to pry the sandstone entrance open, pulling and pushing the rocks that should have repositioned themselves.

I hear something crack and break and the stones begin moving again and we all move back.

“Thank the gods,” Ziahra says.

“More like us for getting it working. You were giving up hope, remember?” Kash reminds her arrogantly.

“I doubt you did any of the hard work. You’re pretty useless with that injury.” She taunts him back as she edges forward.

That darkness I can feel, the chilling, sinister vibe of this place growing stronger.

“Should we draw straws to see who goes first?” Kash mocks and exhales done with his antics.

Can he not feel the evil? He smirks as he pushes past me.

“I’ll lead.” He offers, brushing past Ziahra who was about to take her first step. He smirks mockingly at her.

“I do hope you fall and break that face of yours.” She sneers.

“You sure you want to ruin this face?”

What the fuck is with these two?

He confidently takes the first few steps. Ziahra steps onto the first step slowly, the stone crumbling from beneath her feet.

Kash asks, looking back at

fine. Don’t tell me you’re scared?”

your presence.” Kash shoots back.

talking and I will push you.” She snaps, giving him

grabbing the walls for balance, and I hear Evelyn

weight of the situation once again settling over all of us.

falls quiet, following Kash down, her vampire comrade right behind her.

in next, and Evelyn hesitates.

ok.”

She nods.

and I don’t let go

single word, and torches held in sconces come alive, bathing the entire

quick glance around makes it clear that we are not

room. Each one sits on a 1-foot pedestal, and each is fully covered in seals and encryptions.

one is open, the lid leaning against

in there?” Evelyn asks, and for the first time, I think I see

replies as she heads to the altar that

lighting some old candles

in a crypt? This screams dark arts.” Kash

call the ancient arts something as cheap

stop me…”

darting to the tombs. “That one there looks cosy and it has your name all over it.” She taunts him, giving him a scathing look before she turns back to what she’s

off. His gaze flickers to Evelyn and t think I see the flash of sympathy in his eyes, but it’s gone as fast as it

the large black stone coffin that’s being strangled in dead vines

cobwebs and critters.

got on the tomb… Was there a time when this place breathed any bit of life in its

deep beneath the surface, the air is heavy and suffocating too.

there?” Ziahra remarks,

cocks a brow. “You really are coated in sugar, aren’t you?” he

and who knows what else, if you don’t shut your

bickering!” I growl, my eyes flashing red.

and stress I’m feeling aren’t helping with these two constantly at one

and turns

“Gray…”

finally have a name for him.

have to

head to acknowledge that

weak. I need you to make sure to carry out everything exactly