His blood ran cold. 'No. It can't be.'
Before he could voice the thought, a new sound reached them. Faint, but distinct. From further down the tunnel they had just come from.
Footsteps. Heavy. Rhythmic. And getting closer. Multiple sets.
"Company," Scarlet hissed, spinning around, daggers flashing into her hands. "And they sound pissed."
Fin pulled his hand back from the door, his mind racing. Trapped. An unknown, terrifying power behind the sealed door, and Association Hunters closing in from behind. This was bad. Really bad.
"Arachne, Scarlet," he snapped. "Buy us time. Meg, with me."
He grabbed Meg's arm and pulled her towards the sealed door. "This door," he said, his voice urgent, "can you open it?"
She stared at the pulsing runes, her face pale. "Fin, I… I don't know. That energy… it feels awful."
"Try," he commanded. "Focus your core. Push."
The footsteps were louder now, echoing down the narrow tunnel. Shouts. "Spread out! They came this way!"
