“Now what?” James quietly asks.

Speaking to all of them, he whispers, “Stay silent and close to the wall, they should march right past us without even noticing we’re here.”

Standing still and quiet, they press themselves against the wall and wait. Soon the first soldiers appear from the left and continue marching down the street, past the park. Jiron’s plan is working, not one soldier even bother’s to look within the darkened park.

Aaachew!

They all look to Cassie in disbelief as a very loud sneeze escapes her.

Immediately the closest soldiers stop and turn at the sound. They see them there, partially illuminated by the few torches a couple of the soldiers hold. Both sides just stand and stare at one another for a brief second. Then James yells, “To the tunnel! Move!”

As if that is the catalyst everyone needed, all hell breaks loose. They turn and race back toward the stairs as the soldiers give chase.

As everyone reaches the stairs, James turns and lets loose the power, attempting to slow the soldiers’ advance.

Crumph!

The ground explodes upward, tossing soldiers in the air and pelting them with dirt and other debris. Several soldiers had been in advance of the area that exploded and were now almost upon him.

In a panic, James pushes out with the power, literally tossing the onrushing soldiers backward, where they collide with their comrades.

“The mage!” he can hear coming from the street as more soldiers rush toward the park, starlight reflecting off their swords.

“James! Come on!” he hears behind him. Turning, he sees that everyone has already made it inside the tunnel and Jiron is there motioning for him to follow.

James runs over and enters, flying down the stairs. “What are we to do now?” he asks Jiron.

“We’re trapped,” Jiron explains. “There’s no way out!”