Noble had been too busy worrying about whether they were being watched to focus on the first door. Chip had obliterated it quickly, making it unnecessary to give it much thought.
But now, faced with another blocked entrance, the three Masters all recognized the glistening pink stone.
"Why is that wench here?" Chip balled his fists, ready to breach another door.
Coy rested his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Let's ask her."
Noble nodded, and Coy knocked a rhythmic code on the alloy surface.
The soft clanging made Noble glance up the stairs. Had something moved?
"Dismiss the amulet," she whispered.
Silently, Noble called on her Zenith. Her eyes swirled as she checked for any sign of life in the stairwell.
Noticing her stance, the other men called on their weapons and prepared for the worst.
"What do you see?" Chip asked when nothing immediately came out of the darkness above them.
"Nothing." The professor's muscles refused to relax. "I don't see anything."
A low rumbling preceded a light click of the door. A familiar round face peeked out.
"What's the password?" She asked, laying her eyes on Fir with a wink. "I'll give you a hint, I love a good compliment."
"We already did the code or you wouldn't have opened the door," Coy answered.
"Let them in, Harry, and hurry! We don't have time for jokes." A masculine voice ordered from behind her.
The Awakened's plastered-on smile faltered. "Step into the light, friends. We are glad you are here."
The three men entered quickly while Noble stayed in the darkness a moment longer with her back to the door.
Her intuition was screaming.
"Come on, dearie, I need to seal the entrance." Harlow's matronly voice filled Noble with anger.
Unable to find anything worth fighting, Noble dismissed her weapon and turned to face the older woman. "Since when did you start caring about anyone but yourself?"
Walking by, Noble didn't spare the round-faced Awakened a glance.
But she could feel Harlow's shock. The woman hadn't known Noble was coming. That was very interesting.
"You wound me," Harlow frowned, recovering quickly. "I know we didn't part on the best terms before, but there is no need to be hostile."
Noble ignored her, turning her attention to an individual she recognized from pictures only. "You are Lonzo?"
"Why are there four of you? I was told three Masters were coming." A man with the beginnings of a scruffy beard turned to examine Noble more carefully.
"I found the government's scout who was also trapped. Don't worry, he isn't a vessel of the Skinwalker," Noble motioned to Fir, "He has joined our rescue mission. I should still be able to get us all out of here even with the extra person."
"Master Noble is the perfect person to save us," Harlow gushed as she used her Ability to seal the door.
"You know her, Harry?" A boy peeked out from behind his father.
"Noble and I go way back. I met her when she was just a child not much older than you. She was smart and beautiful even back then." Harlow nodded. "Noble, you've met Lonzo, and that little bit of a human right there is Teran."
The little boy waved at the others. He was supposed to be ten years old but his body was much smaller, making him look around seven at the most. The soft whirring near his abdomen indicated the spelltech that was diligently purifying his blood and keeping his body functioning properly.
"It's nice to meet you," Teran squeaked after a nudge from his dad.
Harlow smiled softly. "I would introduce the rest of you, but I'm afraid I don't know your names."
"Really..." Chip's shoulders tensed. "That's the game you are going to play?"
The burly Master's face distorted as emotions battled within him.
"I don't understand," Harlow pushed her braid behind her shoulder as her eyes cut toward the mundane man and his child.
"You have already forgotten about the countless lives you are responsible for at that blasted wall in Crestfell? Or how you snuck away like a thief in the night and left us to pick up the pieces? Jo died that day! My Jo! What do you have to say to that, Harlow?!" Chip's voice crackled as his eyes turned dark.
"Who's Jo? And who's Harlow?" Teran's voice brought Chip back from the brink.
His teeth returned to their normal size as he addressed the young man.
"Jo was only the greatest person to ever live. And Harlow is that wit—woman right there." Chip turned and glared at the Awakened lady who he had wanted to call every awful name running in his head right now.
Only the sudden emotional nudge from Noble and physical push from Coy made him rethink his wording at the last moment.
"Is that true?" Lonzo looked at the bodyguard he hired with fresh eyes.
He wanted to doubt the stranger's words, but why would the Master lie?
"There has been a little misunderstanding," Harlow said gently. "But I can see why Master…"
"Chip. And I'm Master Coy." The curly-headed soldier put in quickly.
"I can see why Master Chip might feel this way. I am devastated as well. It haunts me daily what I could have done better, but at the end of the day, what happened at the wall of Crestfall was a terrible accident."
"Accident?" Fir pipped in with a scoff. "I heard it was a massacre…" He paled. "Not that anyone asked me."
"It was a tragedy," Harlow rephrased. "One that cost me dearly as well. I lost my position as a liaison with the government and my clan refused to let me continue with my Ascension. I was cast out to fend for myself by my brother. I had to change my name to get this job. I'm sorry I lied, Lonzo. It's been eating away at me. I should have told you sooner." The woman bowed her head. "Thank you three for coming to save us–save me, even though you think so little of me."
"Do you have any medical supplies?" Noble changed the subject abruptly. "Fir over here was burned by the barrier and it's not healing as quickly as it should. He needs to have it bandaged before we leave so he is fit to fight."
Lonzo nodded. "Of course, there is a kit in the bathroom. I will get it."
"It would probably be better if he went with you. He's been stuck out there by himself for over a day, I imagine a restroom break would be welcome. That goes for everyone, I think." Noble looked meaningfully at the other Masters. "Can you help Lonzo and Teran dress the wounds? Please?"
Chip gritted his teeth, barely holding back a string of curses. "I'll do it. But only because you asked nicely." He pointed to his eyes and then to Harlow before turning away.
Lonzo scratched his head.
"The bathroom is through the bedroom. Right this way." Taking his son's hand, the father tugged gently. "Come on. It will only take a minute."
But Teran pursed his lips. "If all of us are leaving, what will you do, Harry?"
Harlow smiled and tousled the boy's hair.
"Don't you worry. I'll be right here waiting for you. Master Noble and I will discuss plans for how to get you out of here and back to your mum in no time."
The mention of Director Luna perked the boy up considerably. He hurried toward the bedroom.
"Come on, we'll get you fixed up so we can leave, Mister Fir. My mom's waiting to hear that we are ok and we don't want to disappoint her."
The men reluctantly filed out of the room, with Coy shooting Noble a questioning glance before cutting his eyes toward the bunker's table. Noble nodded at him. She had things under control.
Coy sighed before shutting the door, leaving the two women alone.
"Isn't that sweet?" Harlow chuckled. "Sending the boys to their room so the adults can talk."
"I sent them out of the room so they don't try and kill you." Noble narrowed her gaze.
"Kill me?" Harlow placed her hand on her chest. "Whatever for?"
The professor's eyes swirled. "Cut it out, Harlow. I will give you one chance to tell me the truth. If you don't give me the answers I want, I'll leave you here for the Skinwalkers. Do we understand each other?"
"Oh?" Harlow's sugary smile faded. "What do you want to know?"