4.2 Cain and Abel

Eventually, I paused to check my watch. Too much time had passed.

Having no idea what I would find at the end of the tunnel, I was getting anxious. The best I could hope for was finding Opal alive, if we found her at all.

Soon, the tunnel began to narrow and steepen. I tried not to think about the tightening in my chest, or finding Dark Dorian at the end. We had come this far. If Opal was here, we couldn't leave her behind.

Up ahead, the tunnel's mouth brightened; strange shadows flickered on the walls. My steps slowed; I flattened myself against the side of the cave, creeping slowly along. The tunnel opened, onto a ledge at the edge of a pit some five feet down. The strange shadows came from the dregs of a campfire burning itself out at the bottom. Slumped near the dying embers, a figure lay, unresponsive.

"Opal?"

The figure stirred.

I tossed my backpack and jumped into the pit. Encumbered by the heavy winter gear, I landed heavily on my hands and knees, wincing as I struggled to my feet.

"Opal, are you okay?"

She raised into a sitting position, gagged, feet and hands bound. She was dirty; her hair was matted and blood had crusted at the corner of her forehead - but she was alive.

"Just hold on." Digging through my pack, I removed a hunting knife and knelt, using it to cut her binds.

Opal rolled her neck, rubbing circulation back into her wrists. "You came for me."

"I almost didn't. This only happened because you burned the painting."

"I swear I wish hadn't." Head bowed, her dark hair swung in her face like a curtain. "I didn't  know this would happen."

"What did happen?"

"Dorian." Opal shivered, and I knew it wasn't from the lack of heat. "He came from the painting, an evil black cloud. He attacked. The next thing I remember is snow, feeling frozen as he dragged me through this winter wasteland. He forced me into this cave, built a fire, and then left me to die."

"Why? You released him, he should've been grateful."

"And he was." Opal's jaw tightened. "But he said he needed to distract you."

"A distraction?" My heart beat triple time. "For what?"

"I have a feeling you'll find out soon." Opal rubbed her arms in a frenzy. Her sweater was too thin. Already, her chapped lips were turning blue. "We can't stay here. The fire's nearly out; we'll freeze. I already am."

Rolling my eyes, but knowing she needed the warmth to survive, I removed my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "We just need to sit tight. The cavalry's coming."

"And why is that? After all I've done, why risk your pretty neck for me?"

"I know. Doesn't make sense does it?"

Opal snorted, grinning. "Je vous remercie. If you hadn't come... Truly, Amelia, I thank you."

"Don't mention it. But do keep it in mind."

She winked.

"Amelia?" Dorian looked down from the ledge. "Are you alright?"

Opal scrambled backwards, hyperventilating, pressed against the cave-wall in fright.

"Relax." I touched her arm. "He's not the one who did this to you."

"He wears the devil's face!"

"The devil wears mine." Dorian dropped into the pit, landing squarely on his feet. "Where is he, Opal?"

"How should I know?" Her face contorted in pain as she adjusted her legs. "All he said was that he needed time. He knew you'd come for me."

"Apparently this was all a distraction," I said.

Dorian nodded sideways, shoulders lifting in confusion. "A distraction for what?"

"Million dollar question."

"Well, he wouldn't do this without reason. He wanted us to find her."

"Is that why I'm alive?" Opal was disgusted. "Bait?"

"Possibly. Though he does have a penchant for torture. I don't think you've suffered quite enough, Opal."

She sneered. "Then I shall sleep with both eyes open."

Hurried footsteps sounded from the tunnel; a fully-clothed, human Danny came flying into view, out of breath, bruised, and bleeding - but alive.

"Hope you're ready, cuz the Yetis are coming in fast," he said, jumping into the pit.

Dust rained from the ceiling; the ground trembled as roars sounded from the distance.

"Well, I'm as useless as you lot." Pain blossomed on Opal's face as she shifted. "I can't walk. I twisted my bloody ankle when he pushed me down here."

"There's too many to fight," said Danny. "We can't go through them. We're stuck here."

"Maybe not. I have an idea." I retrieved the hunting knife. "If I paint a door, Dorian can take us through. We'll go home and double back for V."

Too bad I didn't have paint.

I removed my glove. Suppressing a groan, I sliced my palm and pressed it to the cave wall, using blood to draw the outline of a door with a knob. Hand stinging, fingers dripping red, I stepped back, watching Dorian lay his own hand on the painting. Golden light erupted, flashing beneath his fingers...

The door that formed was as solid as any of us, and red as blood.

Dorian smiled. Opal exhaled in relief and Danny bent, hands on his knees as he finally caught his breath.

"Prisoners first," I said, helping Opal to her feet.

God, it was good to be home.

I walked Opal to the kitchen table, where she took a heavy seat, helping herself to a half-empty bottle of Powerade.

"All of us, here, without her." Danny shook his head. "It doesn't feel right. We shouldn't have left her behind."

"We're not leaving Vanida," said Dorian, striding to the painting. "I'm going back for her."

Danny followed close behind. "I'm coming with you."

"No." Dorian shook his head. "If the Yetis are there, and something happens to me, I won't be able to bring you back. It's better if you stay, trust me."

Danny looked unconvinced, but Dorian left before he could argue, turning into a black cloud that vanished into the painting.

Danny exhaled. Fingers dragging through his hair, he stared hopelessly at the picture hung on the wall.

"Danny..." I approached, wrapping a dishrag around my injured hand. "You don't have to worry. Vanida will be okay. She always is."

"How can you say that?" he replied, rounding on me in anger and desperation. "How can you trust him?"

"I trust you, don't I? And you're just like him. The only difference is he told me the truth about who he really is."

"I'm nothing like him." Danny huffed, walking away, then back again. "I didn't tell you what I am because it puts you and my community at risk--or did you think I'm the only shifter in the Village?"

"I honestly don't know what to think, Danny. All I know is that one of my best friends is a supernatural."

"And now she knows too," he snapped, pointing at Opal.

"Moi? Pardon?" Opal pressed a hand to her chest in faux disbelief.

"She's a hunter, Amelia. What do I do now, huh?"

"I don't know." My shoulders rose in helplessness. "I don't have a clue what happens next, okay? But I promise you, I promise, no one will ever learn your secret from me."

"Or me." Opal rose from her seat, using the table as a crutch. "You saved my life--after everything I did. Believe it or not, there is honor among hunters. Most of us, anyhow. I'll keep your secret. I'll even leave the Village--but not until the monster I released is dealt with. D'accord?"

Danny and I exchanged heavy looks.

Opal sighed. "Like it or not, we need each other. So do we have a deal or don't we?"

"Yes," said Danny, the same time as I said "no." We glared at each other.

"Danny, killing Dorian's reflection might mean killing him too. You can't."

"What I can't do, Amelia, is put my people at risk for a monster." He turned to Opal. "We have a deal."

Before I could refuse, Dorian materialized. Alone.

"Where's Van?" Danny glanced behind Dorian, expecting her to step through behind him.

But I knew if she were there, Dorian would have sent her through first.

"Where is she?" Danny repeated.

Dark eyes filled with sadness, and regret, Dorian shook his head in silence.

"Dorian, where is she?" Danny pushed him against the frame, arm at his throat, eyes blazing.

"She's gone," he said, calmly. "This was all she left behind..." Dorian raised his hand. He held the Apple Watch Vanida always wore, the glass face crushed and broken. "I found it in the snow. I'm sorry."

Danny snatched the watch from Dorian."Take me through. Now!" Danny pushed him again, knocking Dorian's head against the wall. "I'll find her myself."

"Danny, listen to him--please!" I stood to the side, pleading desperately. "You can't go through the painting, okay? It won't do any good. She's not there."

Danny stared hard at Dorian, then let him go with a final shove. "She knew we were coming back. She knew. Vanida wouldn't just leave."

"Not on her own," Dorian replied, straightening his jacket.

Danny glanced between us. "What are you saying?"

"Dark Dorian." I sighed. "He's taken Vanida."

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