Chapter 187 PIPER Warricks voice hung in the air , filled with emotion I never knew he possessed … redemption .


    I looked up at him , the darkness casting his face into shadow , but his voice was absolutely sincere .


    For a moment , the calcted man I knew seemed to melt away into something , someonepletely … different .


    But there was no time for reflection .


    Alright , I said finally in that low , even tone , lets see if youre a man of your word .


    The slightest smirk teased at the edge of his lips , but he had said absolutely nothing .


    We were deep in the forest now , trees wrapping us round like we were in some sort of living cage .


    The air chilled , and a heavy atmosphere wrapped its noose around my chest .


    Every step felt heavier ; each shadow was alive , pulsing , watching , and waiting .


    I could feel the realm of the Nameless pulling us in , testing our resolve as we were entering his territory .


    Warrick continued on his path , sure of his destination .


    He said nothing , and I did not press him .


    Chapter 187 My mind was still with Aurora .


    Was she alive ? Or had my Journey brought me full circle to relieve a broken past ? 2/7 A low growl from the darkness froze me in my tracks .


    Warrick raised a hand , his tense form demanding silence .


    What was that ? I whispered , my grip tight on the hilt of my dagger .


    Dark creatures , he muttered .


    Theyre everywhere here .


    Stick with me .


    really didnt like taking orders from him but I didnt argue either .


    Warrick might have been a slimy opportunist , but one thing hed heard right I had no idea what I was dealing with .


    We walked scared , slipping between twisted trees , avoiding open paths .


    Even the forest seemed to pulse with some weird energy , darker with every step taken .


    Do you at all know where were headed ? I said in a low tone of voice .


    Warrick half turned back to me , like it was nothing .


    Ive been here before , he said .


    There is a way into the Namelesss fortress , if you go in on the cand side .


    Its not as guarded , but its not exactly easy , either .


    And youre just now telling me this ? Chapter 187 Would you have believed me if I told you earlier ? 3/7 I swallowed my words and kept my attention on what had to be done .


    Then , from nowhere , or so it seemed , the faintest of sounds of rushing water somewhere and Warrick was gesturing for me to follow him in that direction .


    We came to a small stream , ck , really ck inky and looking very much like oil where it shined on its way with apparent round , wandering loops through the trees .


    Warrick dropped to one knee where it was at its verge , brushing leaves away to show a hidden path of stepping stonesid across it .


    This way, he said , picking his way with caution .


    I followed , my heart pounding at every precarious step .


    The stream was harmless enough but impossible to shake was the thought that in its depths somethingy and watched and waited .


    When atst we gained the far side Warrick straightened and pointed ahead to a clump of jagged boulders .


    The entrance is just beyond there .


    The air clung to us like paste as we drew closer to it heavy , weighed down by the weight of oppression in the Namelesss domain .


    I was breathing weirdly now , my hold tight on the dagger .


    Chapter 187 You can feel it , cant you ? Warrick said low .


    4/7 I nodded .


    Its like the air is alive .


    Thick with fear , he supplied .


    Its his way of keeping intruders at bay .


    We squeezed between the huge boulders into a small , narrow tunnel chiseled in the side of the cliff .


    The walls glimmered with a dark substance ; the atmosphere was heavy , thick .


    Keep quiet , Warrick whispered .


    We made our way deeper into the tunnel , having to be careful , as the only real sound was that of our footsteps amidst the constant steady drip of water from the ceiling .


    A sense of keen awareness had hold of me , and my body was telling me we were walking into trouble .


    And then I saw it , and I yanked Warrick to a stop .


    What is it ? he whispered .


    I nodded ahead , where a dark shape against the wall bulked at some distance from us .


    Theyre close , I whispered .


    Warrick nodded , his hand resting on the hilt of his de .


    Well have to move fast .


    Follow me .


    We sprang into a cautious run , twisting and turning through the Chapter 187 5/7 tunnel as if the darkness themselves wereing to life around us .


    The faint growls of the shadow creatures grew louder , echoing .


    through the space like a chorus of nightmares .


    Eventually , we made our way into arger chamber and the dim light of the runes cast a little glow over the room .


    In the middle of it all was a cell .


    Aurora , I breathed , as my heart hit my chest with her in sight .


    She was leaning with her back against the wall , sparkling chains .


    binding her wrists .


    As soon as she heard my voice , she looked up and her eyes went round in surprise .


    Piper ? she rasped .


    I began to run towards her , but Warrick grasped my arm to pull me back .


    Just wait , he said harshly .


    Its very possibly an ambush of some sort .


    I forced my arm out of his and turned up the steps , a bubble rising in my chest .


    I dont care .


    But before I could take another step , a figure emerged from the shadows , his face twisted in anger .


    6/7 Chapter 187 It was Holden .


    Who are you ? he snarled , fixing his gaze back and forth between me and Warrick .


    Which side are you on ? I gripped my dagger firmly , trying toe up with an answer .


    Were here to help Aurora , I said firmly , while my voice didnt carry one shred of the fear actually tearing through my chest .


    Holdensugh came sharp and cold .


    Help her ? You mean defy the Nameless ? Youre even more foolish than I thought .


    Warrick stepped forward , hands up in a weird gesture .


    Holden , listen .


    We arent here to cause problems .


    We are just trying … Save it , he snarled , cutting him off .


    He turned to me in an instant ; his eyes zed with malice .


    You think you can just walk up into his space and take whats his ? Thats an assumption thats gonna cost you .


    He lifted his hand , and the darkness closing in on us surged forward .


    I moved myself for the attack , but suddenly something unexpected happened .


    Warrick stepped in front of me and , in an instant , was a different man .


    Holden, he said , though his tone didnt yield .


    You know me .


    You know I wouldnt be here unless it was important .


    7/7 Chapter 187 There was hesitation from Holden , reflected in his narrowed gaze .


    Whats that supposed to mean ? Warrick turned to me , and something in his eyes ran a shiver down my spine .


    Im saying Im not here for her , he said , coldly .


    My heart fell .


    Warrick , what is going on ? He didnt answer ; he turned back to Holden , where he stood , cool and unshakeable .


    I am here in service to the Nameless , he said .


    Holdens face twisted in a sadistic smile .


    Now thats more like it .


    I shot a re at Warrick , the sting of betrayal coiled in my chest .


    You … you lied to me .


    He cast a careless nce my way .


    Its nothing personal , Piper .


    Just business .


    The closing darkness didnt leave me any choice .


    No , Warrick !