Zechariah stopped. Justin rested his hand on his sword.
It sounded like a cat, he thought. One of those cave lions Olorus was talking about? Or the things Zechariah calls coblyns? Or worse: the monsters from the Gravelands. But how could they have caught up with us?
He could hear his own heart beating, could feel his hands shaking as he envisioned shadowy creatures astride giant animals.
He heard a clicking sound from above where the cave ceiling was veiled in darkness. Hook must have heard it too, because he looked up. A slight scraping noise followed, and a bit of dirt dropped on Leah's shoulder.
Olorus's voice was lower than a whisper as he breathed, "The fire."
Justin turned and felt the breath leave his lungs.