Page 23 of Forsaken Secrets

Gods. This was taking too long. "Do you know how to tie a figure eight knot?"

He grimaced, and I continued, "I mean, you can keep trying. But if you get it wrong, you will probably fall to your death as soon as Lynk lifts you up. It's up to you, though!"

He sucked his cheeks in, then slowly let out that breath, shook his head, and passed me the rope. "Sorry."

I flushed. "I'll try to — uh — keep my hands to myself this time." My hands shook as I tied the knot, and when the last bit slipped into place, we both heaved a deep sigh of relief. I met his wide green eyes and something flipped in my chest.

If his cheeks had been red before, they were now almost a deep purple. My lips twitched.

"You ready?"

He nodded, eyes still wide, and I sent a prayer to the five gods as I tightened the rope around my waist. I'd serve as the counterweight to lessen the load for Lynk. Hopefully we'd have enough time.

"We're ready," I shouted up at Lynk.

My rope went slack and Eli yelped as he rose into the air above me.

Sighing deeply, I slumped against the cliff face, careful to keep my rope twisted around my body.

Part two of the rescue was almost complete.

I stared at the storm raging in the distance over the Forsaken Isle, and let my mind wander. Clouds hid all but the black spire in the middle. It jutted out proudly above the clouds, a reminder of a different era.

I studied it, trying to make out some detail that would explain its purpose. But it remained an enigma.

We'd lost much of our history in the Fall and the Kings kept the rest, saying it was for our own good. I scoffed.

The Isle taunted me with its mysteries. But one day, after we paid off that damned debt, I'd find answers.

No matter what it took.

Shifting, I studied the cliff-side behind me, and my jaw dropped. What in the seven hells?

The carved reptilian face of a stone dragon stared at me, and to its left and right looked to be the tops of stone pillars buried in the ground.

Ruins? There were ruins beneath the estate?

How was that even possible? The ones above-ground fit the history. But there were no records of anything like this. At least nothing I'd ever seen.

So, what did it mean?!

My mind raced with the possibilities, and I ached to explore the area more. What if this was the entrance to another section of ruins?

Gods damn getting rid of my gear!

A low rumble sent my pulse skittering, and I looked down to see an enormous crack spread across the dirt at my feet.

Fuck!

I tried to scream, grasping for the rope and praying Lynk would be strong enough to hold us both.

And then I was falling.

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