The emergency tunnel was narrow, damp, and smelled heavily of old earth. Adrian led the way, carrying Emily easily against his chest while I brought up the rear. My hands were still pulsing with a faint, warm golden light, casting just enough illumination on the rough stone walls for us to see where we were stepping.Behind us, the alarms of the subterranean lab faded into a distant, muffled echo."Adrian, she's burning up," I whispered, reaching out to touch Emily's forehead as we hurried along. Her skin was dry and scorching hot."The shadow-leach extraction process," Emily croaked, her eyes half-closed as her head rested against Adrian's shoulder. "They... they drain your life force to keep the barrier wards charged. If you hadn't come... my core would have collapsed by tomorrow.""Don't talk, Emily. Save your strength," Adrian ordered gently. He looked back at me over his shoulder, his blue eyes dark with worry. "The tunnel should let out near the old boathouse by the black lake.
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