Page 19 of Soul of Thorns
The rumble of eerie distant laughter pulses through me, and I can’t tell if it’s real or memory.
I dig deeper, fingers curling into the soft ground. I close my eyes, frustrated with myself for my reaction.
It’s just a voice.
But then—half a mile away—the fire shifts, exposing a creature three times the size of an elephant. Its skin is thick and scaled, with a mane of thick black fir around its head and shining horns darker than the blackest night curl over its ears. Its eyes glow red.What the hell is that?
Strong but gentle hands grip my waist and yank me to my feet. I stumble, trying to follow his guidance, but my shaking legs rebel, knees buckling. Rev tugs me into his arms as he sprints away from the beast and the wild flames.
Rev races down the trail, carrying me. We curl around the side of the mountain, rushing down the first path we pass. I cling to Rev’s shoulders and focus on his sharp breaths. His heart hammers into my side.
Several minutes later, Rev slows to a walk. That creature—whatever the hell it was—didn’t follow us. I’m fairly certain we could hear it coming for miles.
“Can you walk?” Rev asks as we find a smaller pathway. I nod, and he gently sets me on my feet, his arm still curled over my back. I hold onto his shoulders for a moment longer, our chests touching.
I swallow.
My cheeks burn red. I’d had a panic attack right there as a wraith was attacking me.Good timing, Cae.
I swallow. Maybe that was the point. Maybe they knew the moment I heard her voice, I wouldn’t be able to cope. I’d fall apart like a little china doll. Pathetic.
Rev’s hands rest on my waist, nose grazing my hair. He waits for me to pull away.
I breathe deeply, taking in his comforting scent of sage and cedar. How he still smells good after nearly a week in this place is beyond me.
Then, I pull back and force my body forward down the trail. Rev follows my lead.
My steps are wobbly for a few moments, but I pull in all my determination and find a solid rhythm. I focus on each step, one at a time. I don’t know where we’re going, and to be honest, I don’t much care so long as it’s not back toward the flames. Gaze cast to my boots skidding over the ashy stone walkway, I chant over and over that I’m okay. We’re okay. Both of us.
And this time, if I have to face the Night Terror, I know I won’t be alone.
Rev
Caelynn stumbles herway through the winding trail, deeper into the mountain range. I have zero intention of going back toward the flame wall today, not even to try spying like we’d planned. And I don’t suspect going back to the cottage is wise either, even though it’s only another mile or so from here.
“I thought he was helping us,” I say quietly, resisting the urge to pull Caelynn back into my arms.
