43

Reluctantly, you say, “We could take a look around the catacombs.”

The city’s catacombs have always creeped you out, but that’s partly because whenever someone—or something—vanishes, it always seems to be in that area. You’ve been into the tunnels nearest the entrance, but never dared to go any deeper—a fact that now, more than ever, seems less like cowardice and more like a perfectly reasonable survival instinct.

But you have to admit that the catacombs are responsible for more than their fair share of disappearances, and you can’t rule out the possibility that that includes Neve’s.

Ashur nods like what you’re saying makes sense. You know it does, but a part of you was hoping he might suggest you go somewhere else instead.

“I hate the catacombs,” says Tarquin when you reach the entrance. You’re glad it’s not just you—but it doesn’t help, because even as he says it, he draws his sword to hold it loosely at his side and slips inside the darkened entrance. You and Ashur look at one another, shrug, and follow Tarquin’s lead.

• Turn to page 44.