Page 13 of Soul of Thorns
“This wasn’t part of your research?” We’d talked about the wall of flame, but I hadn’t thought to ask much about it, assuming it would be something like the Black Gates. To pass through, it uses its magic to mentally and emotionally torture the individual, and then they’re good to go. But I’m not so sure about passing through this big guy.
“Not in detail. They certainly never mentioned a wall so thick no living being could pass through without becoming literal ash. That would certainly put a damper on this mission.”
“Not to mention passing back through with a book in hand.”
Rev narrows his eyes. “True. There has to be more to this.”
A flash of shadow catches my attention in the corner of my eye. I spin to the place I swear I saw a prowling wolf, but there is nothing. The shadows beneath the mountain range remain perfectly still.
“What is it?” Rev asks.
“I thought I saw that wolf again. But I don’t think those creatures could move that fast.”
“Wraith?”
I bite my lip. “Maybe,” I whisper. “We should find a place to hide for a bit. Catch our breaths and think this through.”
Rev nods, and we slink to the other side of the pathway, away from where I’d seen the shadow shifting. Not far off, there’s a narrow pass between two mountains. Single file, we walk into the narrow crevice of the black mountain. The heat dissipates gradually, aided by the shade cast by the cliffside. I can just barely see the smoke-covered sky from here.
We come to a sharp edge jutting out from the cliffside, creating a dark nook behind it. We’re covered just enough we can settle in for a few minutes, confident we’re not currently being watched. I drop my backpack and lean against the cool stone.
“So...” I drawl.
Rev chuckles. “I’d really like to get this stupid quest over with.”
I pull in a breath. I know he meant to express his frustration with how difficult every step of this mission is, but my stomach sinks because I know the end of it for him doesn’t mean the end for me.
I’m going to live the rest of my life here. I’ll never see the clear sky. The bright sun. I’ll never breathe fresh air or drink clean and cool water. I’ll never see my homeland. I’ll never redeem myself. I’ll never get to thank the shadow sprites or tell the phantoms they were right about me and Rev.
“Cae...” Rev whispers. “I—”
I wave him off, knowing he must have noticed the tears welling in my eyes. “I’m fine. Just hits me sometimes.” I shrug it off quickly with one shaky breath.
“Will you tell me?” he whispers then drops his bag at his feet and crosses his arms. “You’re never open about what you’re feeling. I just wish... I wish I understood more.”
I swallow. “I was... just thinking about all the things I’ll never see again.” I shrug like it doesn’t matter, even though we both know it does.
Rev’s lips scrunch up as he considers his next words. “I don’t know what the right thing is here, Cae. I don’t know what the right thing to say is, but...”
“You don’t have to say anything. I don’t blame you. Not for one second.”
“I know that.” Rev steps forward, and his eyes flicker to my lips.
I blink back my surprise and my heart races.
“I don’t want to say the right thing to make myself feel better, Cae. I want to give you hope. I want... I want you to know that I’m fighting for you now. Okay? You’re not alone.”
I pause, examining him. “What does that mean exactly?” My voice is hoarse as the breath leaves my lungs.
One side of his mouth turns up in a sad smile. “Cae, I do not intend to leave you here.”
My mouth falls open. He...doesn’t intend to leave me here...
That doesn’t make any sense at all. “Of course you’re going to leave me here.”
He shakes his head. “You’re not going to change my mind, so there’s no point in trying. You’re not the only one that can be stubborn as hell.”
“But there isn’t any way...”
