Page 17 of Reap & Sow

Ben had done that. “Ben. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

He said nothing until they were at the cellar door. “Doesn’t matter now. Stay calm.”

Eda nodded, despair clawing at her insides. This can’t be happening. Not now, not after all these years.

Lawrie came running. His hands trembled as he unlocked the cellar door. It swung open the same instant a loud crash rang throughout the shop. Voices called orders. The sound of many people spilled into the foyer: pounding footsteps, swords sliding from sheaths.

The Shaws piled into the cellar. Lawrie fumbled to lock it behind them. They were in total darkness. “I can’t find the keyhole. I can’t find it!”

A rummaging sound, and then a small flame sprang to life nearby. Ben had found the little stack of matches they kept under the first sconce. His hands were steady as he moved to light the next. “Try again.”

Lawrie did, his face skull-like in terror as footsteps thumped along the floorboards on the other side. The lock clicked into place just before someone tried the doorknob. It rattled violently. “They’re in here!”

Lawrie dragged her down the twisting stairwell. Eda’s legs wobbled like matchsticks, her head full of furious bees. This is all my fault.

With a grunt, Ben pulled up a metal grill set into the floor. The sewer access hatch. Most ground-level buildings in Blackbridge had one, big enough to fit a single person, fitted with a narrow set of footholds down one side of the chute for service workers.

The plan had been the same for years. If things went wrong—if they were found out and had nowhere else to go—this would be their escape route. The system of underground tunnels beneath Blackbridge were filthy and dangerous, but anything was better than capture by the Blades.

“Eda, get in.” Ben’s voice brokered no argument.

She moved toward the chute even as she frantically tried to think. “We could use the mirror, call Mr. Night. He could protect us—”

“Do not speak that name again. We’re on our own. Now get in!”

She dared not argue. For all his simmering rage, Ben still held her hand as she lowered herself into the shaft and felt cautiously about for footholds. Panic made her clumsy, but she managed, descending until only her head remained exposed. A dank, fetid smell rose up to meet her. The footholds were cold as ice against her palms.

Overhead, something scraped the door. Lawrie swallowed. “They’re taking it off the hinges.”

“I know. Get in the shaft quickly. Make room for him, Eda.” Ben positioned himself in the center of the room. At his back, the orange glow of the sconces reflected in the Gateway’s oil-smooth surface.

Eda realized he still held the poker, brandished like a sword. “Ben? What are you—”

Bang. The door screeched painfully as it shifted out of its lintel.

Her heart leaped into her throat. “Ben!”

He did not look at her. He stood stoically in place, like a soldier before an oncoming horde. Anger and fear were gone; in their place, a mask of grim determination. “There’s an access gate the servicemen never lock, remember? Take it east through the tunnels until you find another hatch. Get out of Blackbridge.”

Bang.

Tears blurred her vision. “Ben.”

Lawrie knelt down and cupped her cheek. “Do as he says. You’ll be fine, Edie, but you have to go now.” He pressed on her shoulder, pushing her deeper into the chute.

Eda clawed at the floor in alarm. “Lawrie, no. No! I am not leaving you! Look, I’ll move down, just wait a second—just—”

The door burst open with a terrific crash.

Lawrie dragged the grate across the chute, forcing her to duck or else be hit in the face. She cried out, reaching for him through the bars.

“Shhh,” he hissed, curiously calm. Footsteps pounded down the stairwell. “If you love us, you’ll run. Do not come back. Understand?”

Eda could only stare up at him in horror. His fingers grazed hers before he stood.

Ben swung at the first Blade, striking him in the throat. It was all he could manage before two more fell upon him, shoving him brutally to the ground. Face pressed to the floor, he briefly met her eyes. She saw his relief, for they hadn’t spotted her.

Lawrie punched one of the Blades holding Ben down; he was swiftly rewarded with a sword pommel to the face, wrestled to his knees.