But as we moved the wall shifted too, blocking our way. I groaned. This wasn’t simply something we could skirt. Wehadto climb it.
A faint whimper escaped Tabby before she caught it, pressed her lips together, and cleared her throat stoically. “Seriously, guys just leave me. You’ve already carried me so far and got me across that river. That’s more than I could expect. I’ll just keep moving toward the middle of the course and see if I can get around this wall.”
“Nope,” I said. “I did not nearly get dragged into the river by a fae monster for nothing. You’re completing this challenge with us if I have to drag you across the finish line.”
My gaze scaled the wall. It looked fairly simple, nothing like the overhangs or completely sheer rock faces that pro climbers loved to conquer. With all the wooden holds sticking out it was more like a ladder, although admittedly taller than any I’d seen in real life. I turned to Hunter. “How much levitation juice do you have left?”
“Some, but not enough to hoist her all the way up alone,” Hunter said after a moment’s consideration. “I’m still working on that incantation and I really dug deep to get her across safely back there.”
“We’ll have to make that work,” I replied and then laid out my plan.
I was almost to the top of the wall and found myself hanging on for dear life. A short rope of magic was tied around my waist and Tabby’s chest to help her scale the wall. Phoebe was positioned just below our friend, and was awkwardly pushing her up, shoulder to butt since Tabitha’s leg still wasn’t quite right. Finally, Hunter brought up the rear, helpfully mumbling his levitation spell over and over to lighten our load.
When my hand grazed the top, I released a relieved sigh. Pulling myself up and over the wall, I glanced down the other side. My stomach dipped as I took in the steep drop. This would be the most risky part.
Once Tabitha was safely straddling the top alongside me, I looked her dead in the eye. “Stay right here until we’re on the ground. I know it’s a really costly incantation, but attach a rope of magic around you just to be safe. When we’re all off the wall, you’ll have to climb down with your bad leg. But at least this way, we’re in the best possible position to do damage control if you fall.”
My friend’s lips pressed together, forming a trembling, white line, but she nodded in agreement. Knowing we had to move fast, I began to climb down the wall. Despite being a sheer drop, it wasn’t technical or mentally challenging. The holds were actually rather large. Only my muscles and grip felt the strain of fighting against gravity.
I’ve got this, I’ve totally got—oh crap!
One of the bits of wood meant to be used as a handhold or foothold popped out and smacked me right in the gut, knocking the wind from me.
Reflexively, I froze and gripped the wall tight. Which, apparently, was a terrible mistake because another bit of wood slammed into my right upper thigh.
“Shit!” I yelled as I almost lost my footing.
“You okay?” Hunter asked a few feet above me.
“Fine! These holds just whacked me one. I think—” Another piece of wood, this time the one I was holding, shot out and I let out another shriek.
“Keep moving!” Hunter yelled. “When I paused one almost knocked me off too. I think they’re enchanted to pummel us if we take a break.”
What kind of evil is this?I thought, but then shook my head, realizing that I should have known better. Mother’s motto was expect the unexpected. A wall punching my guts wasdefinitelyunexpected. I should have seen it coming.
The rest of the way down, I kept moving and not once did the wall attack me. It seemed that Hunter’s hypothesis was right.
Hunter dismounted seconds after my feet hit solid ground. Soon after, Phoebe opted to leap from ten feet up and landed lightly.
I cupped my hands around my mouth. “Okay, Tabby! We’re ready for you! Whatever you do, don’t stop!”
Slowly, my friend hoisted herself off the top of the wall using just her arms and began her descent. The first fifteen or so feet were fine. Her arms shook violently, but considering that they were compensating for her injured leg, that was to be expected. As long as she didn’t stop she’d be . . .
What the shit is she doing?
I watched, incredulous as Tabby paused to readjust her grip.
“Tabby! Seriously! Get moving.” I shouted, annoyed that she hadn’t listened to me. “The wall will—”
My hands flew to my mouth as a part of the wall shot out and slammed her square in the chest. Then I watched in slow motion as Tabitha groaned and her fingers let go of the wall.
“Tabby!”
But it was too late. My friend was free falling. I sucked in a breath and before I could even consider what to do, the tether of magic that Tabitha had hooked to the top of the wall snapped tight and she began to swing from side to side.
Slowly, I exhaled and then turned to Hunter. “I’ll climb up and get her. Can you help with a levitation charm? Take some of her weight?”
“I’ll do my best.”
