“Yes.” Caleb pressed a hand to her lower back in a touch that was both reassuring and possessive. “The Realm will have all control of the northern entrance, while the Kurjans control the south, the demons the east, and the witches the west.”
Lily nodded and stepped lightly over a pile of rocks, glad she’d worn her boots. “How far down are we going?”
“The mine was deserted years ago, and after our alterations, reaches about five thousand feet down, made possible by a blend of string theory and quantum physics—magic, in other words. It’s an impossible depth, and we’re combining some dangerous science to pull it off. Are you claustrophobic?”
“No.” But Jase Kayrs was, and this was another reason he couldn’t be allowed to face off with the demons during the peace talks. “Have we agreed upon the number of people present during the talks?” Lily asked.
“Yes. Besides the three prophets and Janie Kayrs, each species gets a dignitary and bodyguard at the table. Or rather, across the fire.” Caleb escorted her into the darkness and snapped a switch to show lights strung along the ceiling. “We have a mine lift here, and there are stairs to the side in case we need that way for an escape, though it’d take an awfully long time to make it out that way.”
Lily swallowed and stepped onto the lift to take a seat and strap herself in. Freshly cut wooden boards surrounded her on three sides and smelled like Christmas. They must’ve used pine trees. “I take it we’ll have soldiers stationed along the way?”
“They’re in place now and will remain so until after the peace talks next week.” Caleb sat and secured his harness in the sturdy seat.
“I feel like I’m about to go on an amusement ride,” Lily said, butterflies in her stomach.
“This is faster.” Caleb reached for a lever.
“Hold it,” a male voice called out before the king leaped onto the lift, a grape energy drink in his hand. He took a seat on Lily’s left and buckled in. “I want to go down with you.”
Lily smiled at the king as her stomach clenched. “Good morning, Dage.”
The king lifted a dark eyebrow over a narrowed silver eye. “Prophet. I’m pleased to see you’re fine after your bar fight last night.”
“That’s kind of you.” Lily kept her voice solicitous and fought the urge to roll her eyes. A lady didn’t roll her eyes.
“Do we need to discuss the danger involved?” Dage asked.
“No.” Lily clasped her hands together, fully aware that even the king put her on a pedestal. The only person who saw her as a woman and not a prophet was currently glaring multicolored eyes at her. “Stop glaring, Caleb.”
He grunted and hit a button that enclosed the lift.
“Who is attending the talks from the Realm?” she asked.
Dage rubbed his chin as an engine roared to life in the background. “Jase really wants to attend.”
“No,” Caleb said, reaching over to double-check Lily’s restraints.
Dage eyed his friend over Lily’s head, and Lily’s foot began to tap. “I’d like to talk about it,” Dage said.
Caleb lifted a massive shoulder. “I understand you’d like to talk, but Jase isn’t attending the peace talks. He’s still rightfully angry at the demons, and they him, so no Jase. If you really want peace, we need to be smart. You and Talen should attend the peace talks from the Realm.”
Lily pursed her lips. “Why Talen and not Conn?” Both men were brothers to the king and deadly soldiers. Either would be an excellent choice, and she wondered how Caleb had chosen between them.
“Janie needs to be there,” Caleb said quietly as the engine sound increased in volume.
“No.” The king’s jaw set in a hard line.
“Yes.” Caleb turned to more fully face Dage over Lily’s head. “The Kurjans and demons have both demanded her presence, and you know it. We’ll keep her safe, but she’s instrumental to the talks.”
Lily nodded. “The war began because everyone was fighting over getting to Janie, and it makes sense that she be present.” Plus, the unknown force that always guided Lily all but screamed that Janie needed to be there.
Caleb cleared his throat. “If Janie’s there, then her father needs to be present. He won’t take no for an answer, I assume.”
“I agree,” Lily said. Talen was Janie’s adopted father, and he’d raised her from the time she was a toddler. No way would he take a shooter’s position outside the talks while she was vulnerable inside. “So Talen it is.”
The scent of rock and earth tickled Lily’s senses, almost competing with the strong scent of male surrounding her. Most immortal species would be uncomfortable sitting between the powerful energies cascading off the two dangerous soldiers. Lily took a deep breath, thankful she’d been a human. If she’d been a witch, she’d be twitchy by now.
Dage nodded and gave a quick head nod. “Talen is a good choice. Are we almost ready to go?”
“Yes,” Caleb said. “Hold on.” A second later, he pushed a lever.
The world dropped out from under Lily. She cried out, her hair swishing up, her body slamming against the restraints. It was an amusement ride! Finally, when she thought she might actually vomit, they began to slow until finally stopping.
They bounced several times, and Lily grabbed the armrests to settle herself. The engine sound disappeared.
Relief lifted Dage’s upper lip as he released his restraints and stood. “They smoothed out the ride nicely.”
It had been rougher than that? Goodness. Lily unbuckled herself and stood, her knees shaking.
Dage nodded. “I want to check out the other entrances and lifts.”
“No,” Caleb said as he stretched his neck. “The other entrances are off-limits, as you know, King.”
The king turned, silver eyes glinting. “You know, Caleb, I don’t think anybody in the universe has told me ‘no’ twice in the span of a couple of heartbeats.”
Caleb grinned. “I do like to be one of the few.”
The door finally slid open.
Lily eyed the underground cavern, her mind reeling. “They don’t call you the Realm Rebel for nothing, do they?” She turned and surveyed the soldier. Yeah. He even looked like a rebel. Something warm unfurled in her abdomen. Something new.
The king stepped off the lift first. “Most rebels die young and horribly, don’t they?” He strode into the cavern, gaze sweeping the area.
Lily stifled a grin and patted down her skirt, stepping carefully onto the smooth stone floor. The obvious affection between the two men was heartwarming to see. Even the deadly needed connection.
She took a deep breath and surveyed the room chiseled so far into the earth. Four entrances, each the same distance from the others, opened onto a room about twenty-five feet wide and long, with an eight-foot rock ceiling. Five rock tables had been formed with seats behind each. A fire, even now crackling, burned in the center of the room, the smoke curling naturally up into a small opening in the rock.
Lily frowned. “How is that possible?”
“Quantum physics—and that’s all the magic that will work this far down in the ground,” Caleb said from behind her.
Lily nodded. “I read the last report you sent out.” Frankly, the room was darn impressive. The quartz rock prevented even the most powerful of immortals from using powers; thus nobody would have an advantage underground. Even the witches and the king were stymied.
“I don’t like that weapons won’t work down here,” Dage said grimly, opening his can of grape drink.
“I know.” Caleb smoothed his hands over the nearest dark table, his voice echoing off the rocks. “But that protects us, as well. The atmospheric pressure we had to create in order to keep from being cooked so close to the earth’s core also prevents the laser guns from firing. Any guns, actually.”