Page 25 of Forsaken Secrets

The creaking sounded again, and I scanned the cliff frantically. To Kaiya's right, a slight crack was forming in the face. She had seconds, if even that.

I tried to warn her again, but everything happened too fast, and then she was screaming and falling.

I could do nothing except hang suspended in the air and stare as the rope around her uncoiled and she fell further and further. When she jerked to a stop, her grunt was audible even from this distance. She looked up, hazel eyes wide with fear.

I twisted to look at Lynk. His body strained as he tried to hold us both, arms bulging, face tight with determination. My hands tightened on the rope.

It was her or me. Lynk couldn't pull us both up like this.

"Drop me."

He didn't even answer, just clenched his jaw and pulled harder.

"QUICKLY! Save her!" I yelled it this time. I would not trade my life for hers.

"No."

The strain on his body was clear, though. This wouldn't work.

Closing my eyes, I reached out to the creatures around us, pleading for their aid. If this man wouldn't do the right thing, perhaps one of them could be persuaded to help.

One, a vrytra, answered. But they were too far away.

A creaking sound followed by a sharp crack made me look up in time to see Lynk's eyes widen.

"Close your eyes, Eli."Lynk's raspy voice was like a caress in my mind, and I couldn't help but obey.

Then everything went dark and cold.

My mind spun, and I tried to reorient myself, grabbing thoughts as they passed — but they slipped from my grasp like slimy eels. When had I told him my name?

"Wake."There … that voice in my mind again.

And then just as quickly as it had gone dark, the world was bright once more.

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