First Eclipse

Fauna let go and went to look with him. She didn't see any light.

He turned around and looked behind her. "There's a nook. Let's pause and refuel."

She turned around because she had no idea what a nook was. It was a hollowed-out area several feet back. A few old crates sat just inside it. "Someone left those here for the next guy to carry."

"I would, too." He moved passed her and ducked down. "Watch your step."

Fauna followed him. Bending down hurt, but she wasn't going to tell him that. All she needed was a good soak, some of Capri's ointment, and a nap, and she'd be good as new. When they reached the back, he moved the torch around to check it thoroughly. It was empty, with no sign of any holes or way into it other than the way they came. "Maybe they were going to tunnel somewhere else and gave up." "Shh." He cocked his head. "Water. I can hear trickling." He tapped the table leg against the back of the cave. "There's probably an underground creek behind this." "That's a good reason to stop tunneling."

He nodded and squatted down, placing his back against the wall. Carefully, he braced the torch against it so it would go out but left his hands free. "Sit down and rest."

Fauna heaved a heavy sigh. She didn't want to whine, but she was over this dark, damp cave and endless tunnels. Lowering to the ground, she winced as her muscles and side complained about the change in position. Standing hurt a lot less. Taking off the backpack, she got out of a bar and held it out to him. "What would your queen do? Daxx."

He opened the bar. "If she were down here, she'd curse a lot, and then King Troy would sense something was wrong, show up, and rescue her." He took a bite.

"Do they have some kind of connection?" She took a small bite as she pulled out a bottle of water. They had four left.

"Yes. The mating bond." He motioned to his arm. "The tattoos show the mated ones."

"They get a tattoo together?"

He grinned. "No. It appears on its own."

She paused, holding the bar to her mouth. "That's unique." She took another bite. "Do you have a magical bond?"

"No. I haven't exchanged blood with any of the princes in a long time, so there is no bond. Do you have one with the other women?"

Fauna opened her mouth and then closed it and tilted her head. "I don't know. Maybe." She shook her head. "Sometimes we're" She waved her hand around. "My Gemini sisters, we're able to communicate with thought, but I think that's only if Capri is nearby."

Tim leaned forward. "Can you initiate it?"

She capped the bottle and held it out to him. "I'm not sure. I can try."

"They're going to know something is wrong by now." He looked around at the walls. "They could be out there searching for us already."

"Yeah." She hadn't thought of that. Blowing out a breath, she closed her eyes and thought of them. Pictured their faces. After a few seconds, she focused on Capri and Ava. If any of them would feel her reaching out to them, it would be one of those two. In a bit of a pickle. We need help. She thought. Ava? Capri? Can you hear me? She kept her eyes closed and their image in her mind. Fauna.

She opened her eyes and looked at Tim. "I think it's working."

He gave her an anxious look. "Keep going."

"Right." She squeezed her eyes shut again and exhaled slowly. We fell through a hole and landed in a cave. She scowled without opening her eyes. How else did she explain this? Track my phone or that porter thing, it's with my backpack at the hole. We're following tunnels down, trying to get out. She sat there, barely breathing, hoping it worked.

Kara and the others are searching for you. Keep looking for a way out. Be safe.

She waited a few more seconds before looking at him again. "Capri says Kara and the others are already looking for us, and we should keep going,"

He nodded. "Good." Pointing, he moved to kneel. "Let's check your side and then start moving again."

"Do we port back and leave them here looking, or?" She jammed the bar in her mouth and took another bite.

"We'll figure that out once we're out of here." He looked out into the tunnel. "I don't want them to come down looking for us."

"You mean through the hole we fell from?"

"Yes. I have no way to tell them about the illusion, and they could..."

"Wander for days." She got on her knees and pulled up her sweatshirt. "I just wanted to get Tawny a friend."

He leaned closer, his cool fingers gently touching her. "We will. I just think our next trip will be to the Alterealm mountains, where I know I won't fall into caves."

She winced and may have jerked when he pressed lightly on one spot. "Can I come there?"

He straightened up, a strange look on his face. "Yes. I think you bruised some ribs."

She lowered her shirt down. "Is that bad?"

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"It's going to be tender for a while."

She blew out a deep breath. "Great. I won't be able to ride very well."

He smiled. "I think that might be the smallest issue right now."

"Probably." She smiled. “Let's go find fresh air to breathe." She started to get up, and then he put his hand out. She froze, and then she heard it. Someone was walking along the tunnel.

He motioned to the crates, and she understood. Grabbing the backpack, she hurried over and dropped down behind them. She sucked in a sharp breath when the pain radiated from her injury. It went dark. He'd put out the torch. Moving over, he got low to the ground behind her. She could feel him breathing against the side of her face.

"Call your little rodent friends for a distraction." He whispered.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she reached out to the stirrings she'd been feeling. She sent out welcome vibes and urgency. She continued to do it, not picturing just rats, but anything warm-blooded, and hoped she didn't call a bear to them. The footsteps grew louder. Opening her eyes, she peered through the space between the crates. Even though it was dark, and she couldn't see anything, she hoped it ended up being one of those looking for them. The sounds of rats communicating were a welcome thing. She couldn't tell how many, but just as long as they distracted whoever was headed toward them long enough so they could see if they were friend or foe.

The tunnel grew lighter. She held her breath and stared in that direction. A few mice ran by the crate, followed by a few more. When the person was close enough that the light, coming from their opened hand, illuminated their face, Fauna almost sat up. Capri was here. Tim put his hand on her shoulder and held her in place. Fauna squinted through the space and looked at her again. It wasn't her. It looked like her, but she looked older than Capri and her hair was short and moving like her friends did, but it was not her friend. Several rats raced by the crates.

"Rodents." The women growled, stepped to the other side of the wall, and then hurried by them.

Fauna blinked and stared at where she had been. It was true. Someone who looked like Capri existed.

When the tunnel was dark again, Tim patted her arm and then moved away from her. He reached out, took her hand, and helped her up. He wasn't speaking, so she wasn't going to either. Grabbing the backpack, she held onto his hand and followed him around the crates, heading in the direction the woman had come from.

She stayed close to him and hoped she wouldn't stumble over anything and slow them down. The climb was steep but smooth. When she felt the air change, she gasped quietly. Were they nearing the outside?

Tim squeezed her hand as if he could read her mind and moved faster. There was light up ahead. It wasn't bright sunlight, but she'd take it just as long as it led outside.

They both stopped when they stepped out of the entrance. It was nearly dark. Fauna took a deep breath and didn't care that it hurt her side. He released her hand and looked around. "Over there." Pointing, he touched her shoulder.

She looked to see some large boulders.

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"We'll get behind those. As soon as she gets back and sees the broken table..."

"She's going to come looking."

He nodded.

Fauna hurried over.

Tim moved around behind them and then positioned himself where he could watch the entrance. "I don't want the others to come face to face with her unprepared." He glanced at her. "Reach out to your friend and tell them where we are." Fauna looked around. "Where are we?"

He paused and looked around. "Judging by where the sun is going down, I'd say we're on the West side." He turned more. "I hear water, so we're close to a creek or river."

She nodded. "Okay. I'll warn them about that woman, too."

He nodded but already had his back to her so he could watch the tunnel.

Fauna closed her eyes and exhaled. We're out-bottom of the West side, close to running water.

Good. Stay there.

She nodded, even though no one could see that. Capri-your twin just went into the tunnels. Warn the others.

The pause was longer than she was comfortable with.

I shall.

A chill went down her spine. She didn't know how, but Capri had managed to convey more emotion than she was sure she intended with those two words. "Okay. Capri is telling them." He held up his hand. Fauna moved closer to him and held her breath.

"Call some critters." He whispered and then pointed. "From that way."