Page 76 of Wild Bond

“I’m sorry I have to ask, but why is she even here?” Daisha inquired sweetly, gesturing to me. “She’s not even competing in these trials.”

Trenton opened his mouth as if to respond, but Rake got there first. “Even though Trainee Darrow won’t be participating in the rider trials this time, it won’t hurt for her to be made aware of what is to come and what she will need to prepare for in the future.”

“Of course,” Daisha said too sweetly. “My apologies.”

Rake simply nodded and turned back to lead our group towards the temple. I simply walked past her and refused to acknowledge the glare she was shooting my way.

The temple was beautiful. As we entered, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the vaulted stone ceilings, the colored glass windows that created rainbow patterns on the floor, or the eight statues depicting the gods that lined either side of the nave. The dark god—known only as The Necromancer—was the only one without a statue, as there were never any depictions of him. In art he was only ever portrayed as darkness or a shadow, but never in a physical form. The Thief, whom I couldn’t help but study as we passed, was depicted as a cloaked figure with a single hand outstretched, holding a coin between his fingers.

Once we reached the alter at the back of the temple, one of the priests, a Hollow One clad in flowing green robes, appeared and led us to a stairway that led downward. Due to the narrowness of the staircase, we were forced to descend one at a time with our dragons.

As we made our way down into the depths of the mountain below, I began to feel a slight tension in my chest.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the priest led us through a stone corridor that had been carved into the rock. Sconces on the walls were lit every few feet and provided some light, which I was grateful for. The oppressive darkness was unnerving and reminded me of things I would rather not think about. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and my palms felt clammy. Why was there no air? Maybe because we were so far underground? The thought of all that rock above my head collapsing down on top of us made my stomach churn. I glanced around, but no one else seemed to be worried or having the same problem I was as we shuffled along.

No one spoke. The silence, aside from the echoing of our many footsteps, seemed to forbid it. I knew Skye was worried about me from where she sat on my shoulder, but I assured her I was fine. And I would be. I wasn’t going to give in to this strange reaction, especially not in front of the other trainees and our instructor.

The corridor we were in finally opened into a small cave with a high ceiling. Strange rock formations hung down from it and rose up from the ground like spears.

Vaguely I could hear water dripping somewhere and was aware that someone—maybe Trenton—was speaking in low tones to Rake farther ahead. Something about how the chamber we were about to enter was carved from the same obsidian that was found on the floor of the Nests and in the rare obsidian mines in Zehvi. He droned on some more, a few of the trainees getting involved in the conversation as well, but I couldn’t hear him. I was focusing too hard on putting one foot in front of the other and on trying to get a deep breath. The air felt too thin, and there was now a constant pressure on my chest.

I had felt something like this before, but not quite this strong. My mind kept drifting back, reminding me of the days I had spent on that cold stone floor underneath the castle. And that darkness, that deep oppressive darkness—so similar to the darkness around me—so thick it felt like sludge on your skin and so complete that there was no difference between opening your eyes and closing them.

But therewaslight here, I kept reminding myself. I could see some flickering off the stones ahead. I had slowed and was now towards the back of the group, but I could still see Rake, Trenton, and the priest. They had stopped before a set of ornately carved stone doors that stood open. Inside I could just make out what I thought was the sacred obsidian chamber.

I forced myself to stop. To breathe. To calm. Skye lent me her strength as I told myself I was just fine. There was plenty of air. The cave walls weren’t closing in around me. I wasn’t in that cell any longer. I was free.

But my inner monologue didn’t seem to be helping. I decided I needed to get out of there. I forced my body to move, to turn around. I had to escape. I felt pinned in. Trapped. Caged.

Real panic overtook me, and I couldn’t move. The world was narrowing around me. I couldn’t see anything but strange shapes. My skin felt sensitive. I could feel my pounding heart pumping the blood through my veins. All my senses felt heightened and at the same time, like there was a dull fog over everything. I could hear someone speaking close by, but the words were muffled, distorted, and I only caught bits and pieces.

“. . . wrong with her?”

“. . . her dragon . . .”

“. . . can’t breathe . . .”

Some part of me was aware that that last statement was me—that I was repeating it over and over.

I felt the cool ground under the palms of my hands and my knees hurt.Pain. Someone touched my shoulder.

I couldn’t feel Skye anymore. I couldn’t see anything. It was dark . . .toodark. There was no light in the world. I would never see it again.

I began clawing at my neck. There was no air. I couldn’t breathe. My lungs felt paralyzed in my chest.

Suddenly I was moving. Warmth surrounded me.

“Rin,” a clear, familiar and beloved voice broke through the fog, “stay with me. Take a deep breath for me. You’re going to be fine.”

“Need—air,” I panted.

“I know, sweetheart,” the familiar voice assured, sounding anxious in a way I hadn’t heard before. “I’m going to get you air.”

But the smothering panic and consuming weight surrounded me again, pulling me under into an ocean of despair and fear. I sank into it, drowning in it, unable to claw to the surface.

I was going to die.

No. I just needed—

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