Li Mei and Prince Zhao ran toward the golden throne. The stone wall behind the throne was still open. Li Mei used her sense of smell to track the Empress Dowager. She identified the scent of lavender and the sharp smell of the arsenic jade whistle. These scents moved deep into the darkness of the secret passage. The air inside the passage was dry and smelled of old dust.
"She is moving toward the northern gate of the palace," Mei said. She spoke quickly. "I can smell her fear and the scent of the Shadow Priest with her."
Prince Zhao gripped his sword. He led the way into the narrow tunnel. The walls were made of smooth brick. Small oil lamps hung from the ceiling. They provided a dim orange light. Zhao did not use his wolf form because he wanted to save his strength for the final fight. He walked with a steady pace. He was the protector of the throne and he had to capture the traitor.
"We cannot let her reach the outer walls," Zhao said. "If she escapes the city, she will lead the remaining lunar warriors into the provinces."
They reached a set of stone stairs that descended further into the earth. The sounds of the battle in the gardens faded away. The only sound was the rhythm of their footsteps. Mei felt the weight of her medical kit. She knew that the neutralizing compound was almost gone. She had to be careful with her remaining resources. This was a situation where resources were scarce and every choice mattered.
"Your Highness, wait," Mei whispered. She stopped and sniffed the air again. "There is a new scent. It smells like sulfur and charcoal. It is a trap."
Zhao stopped instantly. He looked at the floor in front of them. He saw a thin tripwire made of silk. It was connected to a series of black powder charges hidden in the wall. The Empress Dowager was using every tool to stop their pursuit. This was an example of the complexity of human nature in a crisis.
"She is trying to bury us in this tunnel," Zhao said. He carefully stepped over the wire. "Mei, stay close to me."
They continued through the tunnel for ten minutes. The scent of lavender became much stronger. They reached a large circular chamber. The Empress Dowager stood in the center of the room. The Shadow Priest stood beside her. He held a staff that glowed with a sickly green light. This light was a supernatural power that came from the arsenic jade.
"You are very persistent," the Empress Dowager said. She looked at Mei with hatred. "You have destroyed my army, but you will not leave this room alive."
The Shadow Priest raised his staff. He began to chant in a low voice. The air in the chamber began to vibrate. Mei identified the smell of the wolf curse again. It was being forced into the air through the Priest's power. This was a time limited crisis. If they stayed in the room, the curse would infect them again.
"Zhao, we must destroy the staff," Mei shouted. "The staff is the source of the frequency."
Zhao lunged at the Shadow Priest. He used his invincible strength to strike at the glowing jade. The Priest blocked the attack with his staff. The collision created a bright flash of light. Mei reached into her kit. She found a small glass vial of concentrated peppermint oil. She threw it at the Priest's face.
"My eyes!" the Priest screamed.
The peppermint oil blinded him for a moment. Zhao seized the opportunity. He swung his sword and shattered the arsenic jade staff. The green light vanished. The vibration in the air stopped. The Empress Dowager turned and ran toward a heavy iron door at the back of the chamber.
"The hunt continues," Zhao said. He did not look at the fallen Priest. He focused on the door.
Mei followed him. She knew that the final confrontation was near. They were moving from the small tunnels to the edge of the city. The pacing of the story was reaching its peak. They were the only ones who could stop the Empress from bringing the apocalypse to the rest of the world.