James’s eyes slowly adjusted to the dark as he barreled down the rest of the steps, but he nearly missed the keys that were hanging on a hook on the wall at the bottom of the stairs. Had he not been forced to stop because of the gate that separated him from the basement, he would have most likely run straight past them. His hands shook with adrenaline and excitement as he tried to find the right key, and when the lock finally clicked, it felt as if hours had passed.
“Isobel?” he called out as he yanked the gate open, unable to make out more than dark shapes and masses.
“Here,” she replied. “We’re here.”
James followed Charles to a cell quite far from the gate, and when he caught sight of Isobel’s face between the rusted bars, his heart seemed to skip in his chest and he stuck his arm
