Part 62 (1/2)

They quietly made their way forward towards the light and saw the entrance to a room that was definitely the source of the light. He glanced at Sugar one more time. The silver tooth's sharp point shone in the bluish light.

He would distract the monster, draw it to them, and she would stab it anywhere she could. ”Are you ready?” he mouthed.

She nodded.

Talen turned and stepped around the corner and into the full light.

He expected an immediate attack. At the very least he expected the creature to see him and charge. But no such thing happened.

Da's voice sounded from around a bend in the room where Talen couldn't see him.

Talen took another step forward, then another, until he saw first Uncle Argoth, then River, the Creek Widow, Da, Ke, and another woman with cuts and bruises whose hair had been shaved off, all manacled at even distances with chains that had been fastened into the semi-circular rock wall. Ke stood. The rest of them sat with their backs against the wall.

The monster was nowhere to be seen.

”Mother!” Sugar cried and rushed forward.

The conversation ceased. All of them looked up.

Sugar ran to the woman Talen had not been able to identify.

”No,” the woman said. ”Not here!” But she held up her arms anyway and received her girl in an awkward embrace, Sugar holding the hag's tooth well away from her mother.

”Talen,” Da said. ”What have you done? You must flee.”

Talen withdrew the red cloth from his pocket, unfolded it, then held the odd crown up by one of the leather straps. ”I thought you might need this.”

”Hogan,” said the Creek Widow with some hope.

”We can't use it,” said Da. He motioned at his neck. ”Not with these things devouring our power the moment it springs forth.” Da glanced at an exit from the chamber Talen had not seen when he first came in. ”I don't know how you found us, but you must leave before it comes back. Go!”

”Wait,” said Uncle Argoth. He pointed at Sugar. ”Are those the Ravelers?”

All eyes focused on what Sugar held in her outstretched arm.

”Yes,” she said.

Uncle Argoth waved to Sugar. ”Here,” he said. ”Quickly!”

Sugar rose from her mother and hurried to Uncle Argoth.

He stretched his neck to one side and motioned to a patterned object encircling it. ”Careful now. I want you to p.r.i.c.k the surface. Let it get a taste.”

”Stop,” said the Creek Widow. ”What are you doing?”

Uncle Argoth turned to her. ”I've been enthralled once. I will not be enthralled again. Let's see if the tooth can unravel this collar.”

”It will unravel you,” said the Creek Widow.

”Then so be it,” said Uncle Argoth. He turned to Sugar. ”Quickly, we don't have time.”

Sugar glanced at Talen. Then she turned back to Argoth and brought the tooth close to the collar.

The collar slithered.

Sugar paused, fear on her face.

”Go on, girl,” said Uncle Argoth.

She moved the point of the tooth closer and the collar struck, curling an end around the tooth.

Sugar cried out.

The tooth seemed to shudder, then it leapt out of her fingers.

Uncle Argoth gasped.

The tooth was wriggling, entwining with the collar.

”Grab it,” said Uncle Argoth.

The tooth and collar were now one, struggling, twisting about his neck.

Uncle Argoth fell back against the wall.

Sugar tried to grab the tooth, but it resisted. She tried again. This time she was able to catch it and tug.

She grunted. ”It's stuck,” she said.

”Yes,” said Uncle Argoth. He winced. ”I can feel it weakening. Get a good grip. Be ready to yank it back when I tell you.”

The collar writhed.

”It's slipping,” said Sugar.

Suddenly the collar jerked, spasmed.

”Now,” said Uncle Argoth.

Sugar yanked. The tooth did not budge.

Uncle Argoth cried out, clutched at his neck.

Lords, it was going to burrow into him.

Then Sugar heaved a second time and the tooth came free. It twisted once, twice, and then stilled.

Uncle Argoth grasped the dead worm thing about his throat, ripped it free, and cast it to the floor. A bright spot of red glistened on his neck. He felt it with his fingers and brought them away to look at the blood. ”That was a nasty bite,” he said to Sugar. ”But well done. Now free Ke and the Creek Widow. Then Hogan and Purity. In that order.” He turned to Talen. ”Bring the crown here. She'll feel the breach. We don't have much time.”

Talen hurried over to Uncle Argoth, who was still in chains, and held the crown out to him.