We’re not grand at all, but at least we’re restabilized and continue the descent, trying to move faster. We're next to last now.
I never thought this could get worse.
While no longer dreading our eventual fall, now I have to watch and wait for my friends and their teams to take a hit. My back is on fire, and my vision is still blurring, but we’re on our ascent.
The worst equipment failure is on Konstantin’s team. They nearly lose Boris, who’s swinging wildly by a single rope and then Kon, who goes after him.
“Keep fuckin’ climbing!” Liam roars, “We can’t help ‘em.”
He’s right, I know he’s right but I keep looking up, hoping that Cormac is helping them the way he helped me.
When the hell-climb is finished and we make it back to the top, we’re in second place, just after Lucca’s team. I lie flat on the rocky soil, petting it gently. I never want to move again.
Apparently, even the sadistic Dean Christie is capable of mercy. All the teams gather in the dining hall, trying to eat something while Dr. Giardo, the sour Academy physician, makes the rounds, checking wounds and wrapping up the worst cuts and scrapes. My back is still on fire from being snapped nearly in half from that fall off the cliff face and I’m keeping an ice pack on my neck. The terror and adrenaline from nearly falling to my death has worn off, and every muscle is reminding me how much they hate me right now.
“Lean over,” he snaps at me, pressing along my spine and ribs. “I saw you fall. Are you feeling any tingling or numbness in your hands and feet?”
“No.” I flinch as he presses a little harder.Such an ass.“But do you have any Ibuprofen?” He sighs, deeply put upon, and shakes a couple of pills loose from his bottle.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” I tell Liam, and he nods tiredly.
“I need to take a whiz,” he groans, “but I ain’t getting up for anything.”
“Yeah, I’ll sit at the other end of the table when I get back, then.”
I barely stifle a shriek when I’m grabbed from behind and pulled into an alcove by the bathrooms.
“Are ye okay?” Cormac says hoarsely, “That fall, you could have snapped your spine in half.” He’s cupping my cheeks with hisbig, warm hands and I blink back a few tears. It feels so good, his strength and his concern. He rests his forehead against mine. “Can you continue?”
“Of course, my back hurts but Dr. Giardo checked me over.” He rolls his eyes in disgust and I smother a chuckle. “Yeah, that man really hates practicing medicine. I wish your Dr. Meyers was here.”
“Aye, so do I,” he agrees. His rough thumbs are stroking my cheekbones and it feels like courage and comfort and maybe, I can handle this last task and it’ll all be fine. “I’m proud of you, lass. That was a rough climb. You did well.”
“Thank you for the help,” I say gratefully. “Will you get in trouble for that?”
He snorts, “I wasn’t the only professor out there shouting encouragement. In my four years at the Academy, we never had a challenge so brutal.”
There are footsteps behind us and he reluctantly pulls his hands away. “Be strong and smart,” he whispers. “You’re almost at the finish line.”
“Thank you, Cormac-” He cuts me off with a fierce kiss. Such a kiss, with care and concern and a long-held need that makes my heart surge. He reluctantly pulls back, kissing the tip of my nose and silently slips away.
Chapter Ten
In which we learn that Cormac’s interrogation technique is messy but effective.
Cormac…
“That isn’t wise.”
I turn to find Laosie, her sharp blue eyes watching me.
“What would that be?” I stand tall, looking down at her sternly.
“Don’t you use that looming nonsense on me,” she says cooly, “I can still have you flat on your back in two moves, you lumbering redwood.”
Chuckling despite myself, I nod. “There have been no other inappropriate interactions here on campus. I was just relieved that…” I draw in a deep breath.
She leans against the wall, gaze darting over my shoulder to make sure we’re alone. “Here on campus,” she emphasizes, “this means you two knew each other before?”
