Page 119 of Frost Like Night
This is it.
I loosen my fingers and shake Mather free, unable to let myself do anything but angle for the cliff, plunging around stalagmites and leaping over piles of glowing debris.
I’ll never see him again.
But I don’t cry, or even falter in running. I press on, because I have to, because—
His hand slides back into mine.
I frown at him, but he pushes faster, matching my pace.
He didn’t run for the exit.
Mather . . .
But I can’t argue with him. No time, no words, nothing but my heart throbbing and a sob working through my pinched lips.
I could use the magic to transport him out of here, to safety. But he’schoosingto be here with me—making him leave would be forcing him into something he doesn’t want.
He wants this. And I’m helpless but to let him stay.
I think a part of me always knew he wouldn’t leave me again.
Two paces to the edge of the cliff.
The magic sparks, crackling on the air, fizzling into my body with each breath I take.
One pace to the edge of the cliff.
Mather’s fingers tighten on mine.
I return his squeeze as we both land on the cliff’s edge. Rocks tumble off, normal, magic-free rocks that plummet into the source. They disintegrate in roaring bursts of consuming energy.
We will, too.
The magic intensifies, a wave of crystalizing heat reaching up for me, for us.
I’m ready,I think, building a shelter around myself with those words.End this.
All air leaves my lungs and I jump. The chasm below me shifts, drawing me in.
Then I’m flying backward.
Rock grates against my shoulder. Glowing pebbles scatteraround me, new bruises rupture in my skin as I’m slammed onto the ground near the hall we just ran through. My grip on Mather pulls him back to land on me, and he grunts as his shoulders connect with the rock wall.
I heave onto my elbows, disoriented.
Because when I look, the world is shifting.
The world isscreaming.
Angra stands just inside the newly appeared exit, taking agonizing steps toward me. One of his hands stretches out, the shadow of his magic retracting around his arm in a black cloud.
He pulled us back.
He’s here. He found the chasm.
And I’m still alive.
