Chasing Evil by Adam Blade

the tunnel to where she was standing, head cocked.
    â€œI hear something,” she said.
    Tanner listened, too. She was right. Ahead was a sound like a distant grinding of machinery. Tanner found his steps quickening to a run, the fire from the torch flickering.
    The sounds grew louder, and he saw more light ahead. He tossed the torch aside. They wouldn’t need it now.
    Suddenly, there was movement ahead.
    â€œBut I did what you asked!” shouted a voice.
    Gwen let out a small whimper of fear. Geffen.
    General Gor dragged Geffen by the scruff of his collar around the corner ahead and away from them. Four guards followed in his wake.
    â€œThe thing about traitors is that they can’t be trusted,” said Gor. “You have outlived your usefulness.”
    â€œBut he promised! I told you more than the map could! I — I …” His face flushed red. “I have other secrets!” he said desperately.
    Gor shook his head in disgust. “You’d spill all your secrets, just like that? What a coward you are. You don’t deserve to live.”
    Beside Tanner, Gwen bolted out before he could pull her back.
    â€œLet my brother go!” she said.
    All six figures spun around, and the guards drew their swords. Tanner emerged beside Gwen.
    â€œHow did you get in here!” snapped Gor, his black eyes flashing. “Where’s Brutus?”
    â€œThe captain’s dead,” said Tanner. “Soon the armory will be buried under half a mountain, and you with it.”
    Gor barked a harsh laugh. “Brutus was a weak fool. You really think Derthsin cares about the armory?” he said. “He’ll soon have what he wants, and an army more powerful than any of you can imagine.”
    The general pulled his cloak aside, and at his waist hung something Tanner had seen only in broken dreams: the next torn piece of the mask. This section was a cheekbone and part of the noseguard extending down the jaw. Beside it dangled the piece of the mask that Tanner had rescued, only for Geffen to steal it. Clearly, Gwen’s twin had handed it over to the general.
    â€œYour pathetic grandmother and her minion, Jonas, did well to hide the piece here,” said Gor. Jonas! So he knew about the mapmaker. “But my master will not be stopped. He grows stronger all the time.”
    Tanner’s anger fired his blood, and it burned through his veins.
    â€œThere are still two pieces to find,” he said. “And we have the map. We’re strong, too.”
    â€œKeep your map,” said Gor, closing his cloak. “This sniveling traitor has told us where to look. You have nothing to look forward to but your deaths.” He pointed to the guard nearest Geffen. “Bring the traitor to the Troiden. He’ll appreciate a meal other than rock. The rest of you, kill these two.”
    Gor turned and strode away down the tunnel. Geffen wailed as the soldier plucked him, kicking, off the floor and followed. Geffen threw a last, desperate glance in his sister’s direction, but Gwen stood fixed to the spot, her eyes wide as she watched her brother being dragged away. The remaining three soldiers closed in on Tanner and Gwen, their blades glittering wickedly in the torch-lit tunnel.

T anner and Gwen backed away, their weapons held out in front of them.
    â€œThree of us against two,” sneered one of the soldiers. “This will be fun.”
    Tanner found himself back where he’d dropped the torch. It was still lit, spitting embers on the ground. The faces of the guards were cast in deep shadows.
    With every wasted moment, Gor was escaping with two pieces of the mask and Geffen’s peril grew.
    As Tanner stepped backward over the fallen torch, he turned to Gwen. “Ready?” he whispered.
    â€œLet’s do it!”
    Tanner flicked the torch up with his toe, and it spun through the air at one of the guards. With a cry of surprise, he dodged sideways, clattering