Page 112 of Wings of Lies
Ember Manacles. That’s a problem. Fortunately, they don’t block your Infernus, only angelic power. But you needed to be able to run.
I have a bobby pin; I can unlock them quickly.
Ember Manacles can only be unlocked by one key. They are spelled to resist tampering.
Shit.
We’ll have to make do. Bring forth your Infernus.
“What are you doing?”
I whipped around to find Aspen standing behind me.How didn’t you know Aspen was there?
I only know and see what you do. Clearly.
“Lucille, what are you doing by the carriage?” Aspen demanded, stepping closer. The moonless night masked everything but his soft, glowing eyes.
What should I do?
A long breath of cold air somehow tickled the hairs on the nape of my neck.Let your power flow, then touch him.
What?I think my brain short-circuited.
Do it.
I dove into my core, and instead of forcing the whirling mass of energy to the surface, I relaxed into it and shared my wants. Eager itches rushed to the surface of my skin, then settled when the purple flame covered my hands.
“Lucille?”
I’m going to help you with the rest. Touch him.
A gale-forced wind of ice made every hair on my skin stand erect. The ice pushed and pulled, coalescing in the back of my mind. But rather than experiencing the frigid temps, it was only slightly cool, feeling more like pressure than anything. The tidal wave of pressure gathered strength.
“What are you?—”
Touch him now!
Startled, I reached out to Aspen, gripping his biceps. The tidal wave crashed. I screamed. White stars disrupted my vision. As the stars cleared, the pressure eased. I opened my heavy eyes.
Ice attached me to Aspen’s fully encased body.
I stumbled back, skin ripping from my hands. Numb, the stinging I should’ve felt got lost in the horror of what I’d done.
He couldn’t breathe in there. He’d die like Marcus’s soldiers.
I panicked. Nausea pushed at my gag reflex.No, no, no,I didn’t want to kill him.I covered my mouth, about to be sick.
Run!
I—but Aspen?—
His ice-covered body turned blue, intensifying, and reflecting prisms of light through the crystal casing.
Relief gave me breath before reality decided to take it.
Run!The male said, his words weak with strain.
I moved, tripping over my chains, and managed a pitiful shuffle-jog as I stumbled over every root and rock.
