I tried to pull against my brother's grip, wanting to be sure our friends were safe, only to see Damon surrounded by blue fire. I glanced back as his magic formed a shield of protection over the last of our group. He held it only long enough for Stella to bodily push Samuel into the tunnel before letting it go.

Too soon, as it turned out. The tunnel began to deteriorate around us as well, chunks of stone compressing and giving way. I felt a tingle of sorcery and knew this ...