Page 26 of Forsaken Secrets

11

Eli

Igasped, head still throbbing as I drew in big gulps of salty ocean air and felt the solid ground beneath my fingers — damp earth had never felt so good.

The tower ruins loomed above me, dark shadows blending with the deep grey of the clouds in the sky.

How had this happened?

One moment I was hanging from the cliff, certain I'd die with the next breath, the next I was on solid ground. There was no magic I knew of to allow for such a thing.

I pushed myself into a seated position and looked around, groaning as my head spun.

Where was Lynk?

It was him or Kaiya who'd done it, and if she'd possessed that power, she'd have just used it from the beginning.

How had he done it, though?

"Wh- what just happened?" Kaiya's silvery voice interrupted from behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see my rescuing lady sitting in a mess of mud and rocks, staring down at her hands.

"I was rather hoping you could tell me." My voice was raspier than normal, and I tried clearing my throat to fix it.

She looked up, her hazel eyes wide and cheeks pale. "I was falling and then …" she gestured wildly around us.

" … everything went dark and here we are?" I finished for her.

She nodded, pink lips agape. What was I doing staring at her lips?

"Perhaps your friend Lynk could help?" I asked, head aching as I twisted to look around for him again.

"He is not my friend." She stood to shaky feet and spun around, eyes narrow. "He's just a monster hunter supposedly hunting a contract in the area. However, you're correct in that he might have answers."

"Lynk?" I shouted and Kaiya echoed me.

Nothing.

"Damn. Where did he go?" What if he'd been injured saving us? We needed to find him. I tried to stand, but the movement made my vision blur and I collapsed back.

Breathing deeply, I closed my eyes and focused on not losing my lunch.

Gods. Perhaps my first priority should be to heal …

"Look, I know you won't listen … but could you please be careful? There's something different about this girl and I don't trust that Lynk fellow …"Riarlo's voice echoed in my skull, and I frowned.

"Yes, yes. I'll be careful."

His scoff was not reassuring.

Leaning forward, I tried once more to stand, but the world around me tilted and my stomach rolled.

A warm hand pressed into my shoulder, and I tensed. Riarlo was right. I didn't know who this woman was.

I doubted she meant me any harm after risking her life to save me, but this was not a good time to be vulnerable.

Breathing deeply, I forced my body to calm.

"I'm so sorry!" She was close enough that I could smell the light herbal scent of her hair. "I'd almost forgotten. I'm sure your head is hurting frightfully. Did it reopen?"

---