Page 114 of Wings of Lies
Of course not.
Then jump!His voice shot an ice spear into my mind, sending the chilling command all the way to my legs.
I leaped into the abyss, plummeting with my stomach pushing into my throat.
“Lucille!” Aspen boomed.
His raging voice followed me as I dropped, increasing my nerves. Boots first, I struck the river, jolting my spine and submerging into ungodly frigid water. My yelp bounced off my clenched lips, getting lost in the rush of water flooding my ears.
Underwater, screaming into my closed mouth, my limbs struggled to move. It took the entirety of my focus to lift my arms. Stroke after heavy stroke, I breached the surface, gasping.
This is what you wanted me to jump into?
Stop whining and swim.
He wanted me to swim when every brain cell worked overtime to keep my head above water. Shaking, I lifted my ten-pound arm to wipe away lingering droplets. This was insane. And I wasn’t even including the ankle cuffs restricting my movements.
Swim!
How?
Aspen splashed in behind me.
Shit.
Lucille, swim!
I whimpered with my first arm swing. Who cared if I sounded like a baby? Liquid ice lapped at my body, leaching off my warmth. Each stroke moved me a couple of inches, if that. My only saving grace was the current helping to push along my feeble attempts.
The moisture in my nose burned. Not an, it’s freezing out burn, but more like a gaseous acid eroded my nose hairs burn. Plus, it smelled like bleach and rotting vegetables.
What is that smell?
Vibrations tickled my mind with his creepy laughter.You don’t want to know. Just keep the water from your mouth and nose.
I’m pretty sure it’s already in my nose.
Then let’s hope you don’t die.
My stroking arm paused.That’s not funny.
I wasn’t laughing.
No, he wasn’t. Not anymore.
What’s wrong with this river?
It has a dark history. Very dark.
And what? It’s poisonous?
There was a gesture in my head equivalent to a shrug. I didn’t know how to process the nonchalance.
No history lessons today, my sweet Lucille. I’ll give you your answers if you survive this.
My teeth chattered together.You better.And why do you call me that?
I can call you whatever I like. Now swim. The prince is catching up.
