Page 31 of Heart of Dawn
I ran, leaping over the fire before it blocked the two potential exits. But which one took me outside, and which one trapped me in Erna’s bedroom?
The fire climbed the walls, making quick progress. In less than a minute, this place would be an inferno.
I checked the right door first for any signs of escape, getting nothing. Thankfully, the cold air greeted me in the left one after taking a few steps into impenetrable darkness. Those steps turned into a cautious run through a tunnel, me praying for no deadly spike pits or hanging roots to upset my escape.
I ran into thin air, my heart stopping for a few seconds, hands outstretched and grasping for, well, anything.
I began to fall.
Oh. Crap.
My lower body slammed into solid mud wall, my hands on a flat surface. Immediately, I clawed at the cracks I felt, slipping into a pit of some sort.
Sneaky yeti.
Stupid me for putting the spike pit suggestion out there.
I locked my grip into a substantial crack, stopping the slide, pulling myself up with a billion prayers to the stars.
Please don’t fall. Please don’t fall. Please don’t fall.
My boots bumped something pointy below.
Yes, definitely a spike pit for any potential intruders.
Or for those trying to escape.
Prayers answered, I dragged myself out of the pit, getting back on my feet. I didn’t have time to contemplate any other threats ahead because of the fire.
Clinging to courage, I carried on. The darkness didn’t let up, this tunnel not a place for a fae without the ability to see in the dark. The air grew colder the further I went, but there was still no sign of light.
I kept my hands outstretched, moving with cautious haste. Smoke followed me, stinging my eyes and the back of my throat.
Come on, feet!
I hit a wall, my palms sliding across ice. How lucky I didn’t break a finger.
I followed the turn, coming to another and then the best sight in the world.
Moonlight.
Rather than collapse and sob in gratitude, I carried on, inching closer and closer to the beacon of hope, more of the tunnel coming into focus under the lunar light. It was covered in ice, no spike pits, just a smooth journey out into the cold air.
I waded into snow, the surface sparkling in the super bright moonlight. It came up to my waist, slowing me down. But I kept going until I put enough distance between myself and the cave, finding a boulder in the sea of white to climb onto.
Phew!
I collapsed on the rock, sprawled out like a starfish for a much-needed pause. Snow fell gently from the cloudy sky, flakes cooling my hot, sweaty face.
Bliss.
I tested the connection to my mate. “Miko? Are you okay?”
I’d know if he wasn’t.
I was so sure of it.
Please be okay, Mr. Robot…
