Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.

Dante. I shuddered, thinking of the hellish images that lined the walls of Efron’s office upstairs and how those scenes were probably re-created in this chamber. The room smelled of must, cobwebs, urine . . . and blood. So much blood. I faltered. The scent was overwhelming. Death poured into my lungs, making my stomach churn. Mason caught my arm, steadying me.

“I know,” was all he said.

My eyes kept wandering to the dais, though I tried to tear them away. My mother had been killed there. Murdered by Emile Laroche while my father was made to watch. My brother had been mutilated. And Ren. What had they done to Ren? Tears burned trails along my face until Monroe rested his hand against my cheek, his thumb brushing away the stinging saltwater.

“Someday all of this will be torn down, stone by stone,” he said. “That is why we fight.”

I nodded, unable to speak.

“The cell blocks branch out from each side of the room,” Mason said, pointing to the nearest door—a mirror image of the one we’d just passed through.

“Is it always empty?” Monroe asked, his question echoing through the cavernous Chamber, emphasizing his point.

“Not when I’ve been here,” Mason said. “It’s been packed with Guardians waiting for the Keepers’ decrees.”

“I don’t like it,” Ethan said.

“Neither do I,” Monroe said, glancing at me. “Can you lead us to the others?”

I took a breath and almost retched. The remnants of torment had oozed into the floor. I felt like I was trying to track a scent amid a pile of decaying corpses. Nausea made me waver on my feet again.

“Not here,” I said. “Maybe in the blocks, like the one we just left.”

“We should do this as quickly as possible,” Monroe said. “Connor, Ethan, and the wolves take point while I try the doors.”

We moved to the south door first. Monroe picked the lock while Connor and Ethan kept their eyes on the room, scanning for signs of an ambush. Both Mason and Nev were in wolf form now, circling our group, testing the air, their ears flattened, fangs bared against the assault of violent scents that swirled around us.

Monroe opened the door and I followed him inside. Though still unpleasant, the scents inside the block didn’t overwhelm. I took a few steps forward before shifting into human form.

“This one’s empty,” I said. “Next block.”

“No luck?” Ethan asked when we returned to the Chamber.

Monroe shook his head.

“Where to next?” Connor rolled back his tight shoulders, eyes still traveling over each point of access to the Chamber.

“West block,” Monroe said, moving across the room. I glanced around the room. The order Monroe had selected meant we’d search the north block last if we didn’t find everyone in the next set of cells. The north block lay nearest to the dais—and I wanted to go nowhere near the stonesthat were stained with my mother’s blood. Would her blood stand out amid the stains? Would I fall apart if I caught her scent spilled across those stones?

As I pulled my eyes off the dais, I thought I saw movement, as if the shadows near the ceiling had shuddered. I stopped, peering into the darkness.

“Calla?” Ethan paused by my side.

I waited, watching the spot where I thought I’d caught movement. Only shadows rested there. My racked nerves were making me see things.

“It’s nothing,” I said, hurrying after Monroe.

When we reached the south door, Nev whimpered, scratching at the space between the door frame and the floor.

“What’s wrong?” Monroe asked.

Nev shifted forms. “I can smell Sabine. She’s in there. Other wolves too.”

Mason whined, turning in circles, head bent low.

“How many others?” Connor’s grip on his swords tightened.

“I’m not sure,” Nev said. “But it’s not only Sabine on the other side.”

“What about the rest of your pack?” I asked. “Is Ren inside?”

“If he is, the other wolves are covering his scent,” Nev said. “I can’t pick it up.”

“But you can smell this Sabine?” Ethan frowned.

“She smells like jasmine—it’s a distinct scent. Easy to pick out even in a crowd.”

“Uh . . . okay,” Ethan said, his eyes growing curious. “Jasmine?”

“Can we talk perfume later?” Connor snapped. “I’m guessing we have a fight waiting behind this door.”

“We’re ready,” Nev said, shifting back into wolf form, hackles rising as he growled.

“I’m opening the door now,” Monroe said. “Be ready for anything.”

The lock clicked. The door opened. I shifted forms, hackles raised.

The hall was empty, identical to the others we’d already searched.

“Which door?” Monroe whispered, looking at Nev.

Nev stalked past the first two cells, muzzle tracking low, sniffing. Mason stayed on his heels, ears flat against his head.

He paused in front of the far door on the right and looked at Monroe, who nodded. Connor and Ethan had their weapons raised as Monroe turned the doorknob. He hesitated, glancing at the others.

Not locked, he mouthed.

The Searchers exchanged a grim look, setting their shoulders as Monroe swung the door open.

I heard the snarls before two elder Banes leapt from the cell. The first slammed into Connor, yelping when a dagger slid between its ribs. Two of Ethan’s bolts lodged in the second wolf’s chest. It hit the ground, yelping but still on its feet, and whirled to strike again. Mason launched himself at the wounded Bane. They rolled along the floor, a furious tangle of teeth and claws tearing at each other. Nev rushed to Mason’s aid. Ethan ducked into the room.