We come to a stop. Looking around I try to figure out why but nothing seems out of the ordinary. “Why are we stopping?” I question, looking around confused.

Harlan smirks, turning away from us he walks a few steps to the right. Stopping in front of a built-up bush, with branches and leaves everywhere. Declan joins him and they both move the branches out of the way. I move left to right trying to see what they are doing but I can’t see a bloody thing with the guys blocking my view. Stepping up behind them, I place my hand on Harlan’s shoulder leaning over him to see what they are hiding. “Holy shit balls, would never have thought this would be here,” I admit, looking down into the tunnel that was just moments ago hidden by the terrain. “That’s why we call it a secret entrance sweetie,” Oliver says patting me on the head. The smartarse.

Jolie and Blair join us as Albert and the other fighters quickly say their goodbyes.

We follow Harlan’s lead and enter the dark tunnel. Everyone on full alert looking around after each step we take. I’m instantly hit with the smell of death, something is definitely dead in here. I try not to dry retch but fuck it’s hard; the stench is overpowering. I don’t want to find out what lies within this tunnel, but something tells me I will be. It’s pitch-black. Dull flickering green light appears to my left, and I see Jolie has brought it forth with her magic.

I can now see clearly and looking around I think I preferred the darkness. It’s creepy down here, the tunnel walls are covered in cobwebs, I shiver at the sight of them. The ground is just dirt, and I can’t see the end of the tunnel. Who knows how long it would take to get to the end.

I try to check-in with Blair to distract myself and to make sure he is still with us.

Are you still with us, Blair? I ask, waiting several minutes for a response. Finally, I hear his weak voice.

Yes, but… Please tell me…you’re coming soon. I need… need to see you.

My heart breaks at the sound of his fragile voice. I quickly wipe away the tear that drops down my cheek. We’re coming Blair. Hang in there, please.

When he doesn’t respond, I pick up the speed and my warriors follow my lead. After what feels like hours, we come up to a set of wooden double doors. Harlan and Declan approach it first, sussing it out.

Declan motions for Jolie and me to stand against the curved wall with Oliver joining us. Harlan and Declan quietly open the door with a groan.

My warriors slip inside, moving like assassins quickly and quietly first to check it out. I share a look with Jolie, we are both praying that they will come back through any second. When Declan comes back into view I let out the breath I had been holding, he motions for us to follow. As we step through the door, I take in the space. It’s the same as the tunnel we have been following. Odd. I thought we’d be entering the chamber where Blair was meant to be. My warriors continue around the corner and I trail after them. We turn another corner, and are met with a small, discreet door - a secret door.

Harlan turns to face us, talking directly into our minds to go over the plan one last time.

I want this to go smoothly. In and out with no interruptions. Once we go through this door, we’ll not only be entering the chamber, but one of the cells. Jolie, I might need you to open the door then stand guard. Declan, you put the slayers on duty into a trance so they won’t know what’s going on. I will go with Dara to get Blair out of his own cell. Are we clear?

We all nod.

I take a deep breath. We’re here, Blair - not long now.

The boys enter first, followed by Jolie and me. Goosebumps appear on my arms feeling the temperature drop. The cell is just as I imagined it would be; dark and the mildew tickles my nose. It’s revolting in here. The cell is three by three metres, no mattress in sight or anything at all. Worn out iron bars surround us, locking us in. I notice the gap at the front of the cell where the door is. A shudder goes through my body; I wouldn’t want to be locked up here, ever. Jolie walks straight for the cells lock while I look through the bars. There are two identical cells on the other wall, and I’m guessing one more beside the one we’re in.

I spot Blair’s limp form in the furthest cell on the opposite side, right near a door. He hasn’t moved an inch, and all I want to do is break down. But I can’t. We’re not in the clear yet.

As soon as Jolie breaks the lock, Declan goes straight to the slayers on guard at the door. I run to Blair’s cell, Harlan and Jolie right behind me. Coming to an abrupt halt, I blink, unable to believe what I’m seeing.

Blair is laying down over in the corner of the cell. His head is on the ground, his body unmoving, his face unrecognisable. There are bruises, dried blood and huge bags under his eyes. He’s a mess and it leaves me feeling angrier than I’ve ever been before. I grab hold of the cell bars, my knuckles turning white. The ground begins to shake violently beneath my feet, my blue magic smoke seeps out in an uncontrollable wave.

The warmth of Harlan’s hand covers mine. Dara, please settle down. This won’t do Blair any good. Get your shit together or we’ll have a million slayers in here any second.

I take a deep breath, with the help of Harlan’s words I begin to calm down.

Hurry up, Jolie. Get this open. Now! I say.

As soon as the door clicks open, I run in, collapsing beside Blair’s lifeless body. He doesn’t stir as I pull him into my arms and cry into his neck. Placing my ear to his chest, I listen for his heartbeat.

Relief floods me when I hear the weak thump behind his ribs. He’s still alive, but only just. We need to get him out of here. I look up as Declan enters with Harlan. They haul up Blair, holding him between them, and head towards the door.

As I go to follow them, I see a movement to my right through the cracks of the iron bars, next to Blair’s cell. I run over with Jolie following. Inside the cell there’s an older lady covered in torn clothes and dried blood.

“Clary, is that you?” Jolie says coming up beside me.

“Yes. Is that you Jolie?” she asks. Now it clicks who this lady is. Clary, Anna’s dear friend that went missing.

“Sure is. Sit tight. We’re getting you out of here,” Jolie promises.

Get a move on, Dara, Declan tells me.

Jolie gets the cell door open, motioning for Clary to follow us back through the hidden door.

Just as we step inside the empty cell and to freedom, the main door flies open. I shove Jolie in the back, hurrying her through into the secret passage and close it firmly behind me. Harlan has a still unconscious Blair over his shoulder, while Jolie, Clary and I follow closely behind and Declan remains behind us, keeping watch of our backs.

We run straight through the double doors, Declan locking them behind him.

“Jolie!” he barks.

Jolie pushes Clary in my direction and runs back to her brother. She begins to whisper something under her breath, the door beginning to shimmer in response.

“What did you do?” I ask as we continue running.

“Let’s just say the slayers won’t be able to get through that, at least not in a hurry.”

When we finally step out of the tunnel, the light blinds me, and I need a moment to adjust. Declan puts the branches back over the entrance blocking it from view. We all keep running until we reach the spot where we left Albert.

He comes out from a cluster of trees. He takes one look at Blair, in Harlan’s arms and he breaks down, falling to his knees. Holding on to Blair for dear life. I have never seen an older man be so emotional and it has my heart breaking. More than it already is, if that is even possible right now.

Clearing my throat, I say. “We have to keep going.”