The sound came again.
Thum.
The stone vibrated beneath everyone's boots. It was not strong enough to knock anyone down, but it was enough to make dust fall from the old wood reinforcing the entrance of the ventilation shaft.
Elin sobbed and clung to Morgana's cloak.
"He is scared," the girl said.
Morgana crouched in front of her. "Your brother?"
Elin nodded, unable to speak.
"Is he hurt?"
"I do not know. The woman took him first. Said he was too small to resist, but ancient enough to hear."
Damon closed his eyes for an instant.
Ester held his wrist tightly. The internal lock was broken for good. There was no longer a lock, only fragments of thin ice clinging to the meridian, useless for containing a greater reaction. He could feel the Heart down below now. Not as a voice. Not as a clear call. Only the beat crossing through the rock and finding something inside him that wanted to beat along with it.
"I can go down," Damon said.
"No," Ester replied.
