Without hesitation, I grasped Caden’s hand, and together we plunged through the vortex, emerging at the base of Batura Sar. Looking up, the entry point towered above us, its toothed edges cutting into the sky like a grim warning.
The sheer scale of it stretched endlessly, radiating an ominous presence that seemed to thrum in the air around us. Caden’s demeanor shifted visibly, his usual confidence hardening into razor-edged focus.
“Do you feel that?” he asked, his voice low and taut, each word laced with concentration. “This is where their Layer of Protection begins. One step further without proper clearance, and we’re as good as dead.”
The moment had arrived.
I’d been avoiding this ever since everything went down, but now the stakes were too high, and this was bigger than me or my feelings.
Which is why I’d brought the box with me.
Caden launched into a rambling explanation about some techniques and strategies for breaching protections when absolutely necessary. I tried to steady my nerves, reminding myself that even though I’d promised James never to reveal his secret, this was a situation where disclosure was unavoidable.
My gaze met Caden’s, and I saw his frown deepen as he registered the turmoil in mine. “Emma? What’s going on?”
“I need to tell you something,” I said, my voice trembling a little. “And when I do, you can’t react with anger or judgment. You can’t make me feel guilty for keeping this from you, because it wasn’t my secret to share. And you can’t deny the importance of using this information, because securing that damn weapon is the only thing that matters.”
Caden’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and confusion flashing across his face. His bewilderment only deepened whenI fumbled inside my jacket and pulled out a small, unassuming box.
“I don’t think getting married right now will help us get any closer to the Amplifier,” he remarked dryly. I sighed, once again reminded of his questionable comedic timing.
Ignoring his comment, I opened the box to reveal the striking ring of silver and black, clearly too large for any of my fingers. Unsurprising, given it was designed to fit James’s thumb.
“Stephen shared his diplomatic clearance with James through this ring,” I explained, holding it up for him to see. “It’s imbued with Stephen’s Specialist’s magic. With this, you can enter any Collective without having official clearance and cross their Layers as if you did.”
Caden’s jaw dropped. “What the hell? That is so illegal, it’s brilliantly awesome.” He grabbed it from me, studying it more closely. “Stephen actually gave you this?”
I swallowed hard, passed the sudden lump. “James gave me this. He told me to always keep it near, to never take it off. It cloaks when you wear it, so no one can see it but you.”
Caden's expression softened, then gave me back the ring. “Do you need a moment?”
I shook my head firmly. “No. What I need is for us to slip this onto our joint pinky fingers so we can both wear it while we cross the barrier. Once we’re through, I’ll repack it into my vest.”
Caden’s gorgeous face broke into a warm, encouraging smile. “Then that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
Damn, when he smiled like that, it was…Nothing you can afford to think about, Thompson.
We carefully slid the silver band onto our joined pinkies, the cool metal feeling unexpectedly reassuring as it settled into place. With a shared nod of resolve, we approached the Layer.
The air around us began to ripple with dynamic energy patterns, a swirling dance of colors and light that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
Despite the chaotic display of swirling colors and shifting energy patterns, the ring held steady, against the turbulent forces. As we passed through the barrier, the energy surged around us but offered no real resistance. I could see Caden’s shoulders gradually relaxing, the visible tautness in his posture starting to dissolve.
“Fuck me, I can’t believe that worked.” Caden’s expression was wide with astonishment and relief.
I couldn’t help but grin, slipping the ring back into its box with a satisfying click. Looking up, the path ahead stretched out before us, as formidable and unyielding as ever. “So… shall I portal us up there?”
Caden shot me a sharp look, shaking his head. “No. We’re still inside the Layer of Protection. Portaling isn’t an option here.”
Right. “Flying?” I offered, hopeful.
“Only Specialists can fly,” he replied dryly.
And James, I thought, the memory of him tugging at the edges of my mind. But I shoved it away before it could linger. I wasn’t about to go there now. “So… How do we get up there, then?”
Caden gave me a look that was all business, his jaw tightening. “We climb.”
I blinked at him, incredulous. “Climb? As in, climb a massive, unforgiving summit of snow and frost without any experience or gear?”
