Zoey Jadeburst's Arc

Chapter 4 of 4

Zoey held Maya tight, listening to the slow drip of water somewhere deeper in the chamber. Then a shape shifted in the shadows by the open cell door. A figure stepped into the orange glow, calm and unhurried, hands folded. Zoey's stomach dropped. Sunny Sweetcurie stood there, watching them, no surprise in her eyes at all — as if she had been waiting for this exact moment. Behind Sunny, tucked against the cave wall, lay a pink sleeping bag covered in unicorns and lollipops. A small cupcake lamp glowed beside it. Sunny had been camped here for days. On a flat rock sat a dark cup shaped like a skull, purple liquid trembling inside. Zoey's eyes locked on it. She understood. Sunny had not come to help. Sunny had come to finish something. "Step away from her," Sunny said softly. She lifted the cup. "She needs another dose. The figure was only the start." Zoey rose, putting her body between Sunny and Maya. Heavy iron shackles dangled from the wall behind her, one cuff still hanging open where Maya had been chained. Zoey grabbed the loose shackle and swung. The chain cracked against Sunny's wrist. The cup flew, shattered, and dark venom hissed across the stone. Sunny stumbled back, clutching her hand, eyes burning. "You don't understand what you've done." She fled into the dark tunnel, footsteps fading fast. Zoey dropped to her knees beside Maya. The yellow in her daughter's eyes had dimmed further, but a thin ring still glowed at the edges. Zoey had stopped the dose. She had not stopped whatever was already inside. And now Sunny knew exactly where they were.