“Yes.” I swallowed hard, refusing to glance at the deadly drop again. “It was a narrow path along the cliffside that led to a tunnel opening.”
“I think I see it. Looks like we landed just beneath it. There’s a cavern-like opening about five feet up.” He shifted slightly. “We’re going to have to climb. Ready?”
I could feel his eyes on me. I nodded once.
Slowly, Shayde lowered his arm from across my chest, movements deliberate, as if afraid the ledge would sense our plan and crumble out from under us. My palms flattened against the rock, fingers trembling as I fought for balance. I turned my head to meet his gaze.
His deep brown eyes stayed locked on mine. He didn’t move. Didn’t even blink. As if silently deciding whether I’d make it oncehe let go. A bead of sweat traced down his temple, but his face remained calm—too calm.
Then he shifted, breaking our connection, and in one smooth motion swung his body to the left. His hand caught on a jagged protrusion. His boot found a narrow foothold. Turning so his chest pressed to the wall, he climbed.
I shimmied left when he called out, “I can almost reach you. Jump—give it everything you’ve got.”
Looking up, I spotted Shayde Wylder leaning over the edge, arm outstretched. The breeze ruffled his brown hair.
My gaze flicked from his hand to his face, suspicion twisting in my chest. “How do I know you won’t let me go the second I grab your hand?”
“You don’t.”
The unapologetic edge in his voice cut through me. I frowned up at him, then lifted my left arm, closing the gap until only inches remained. He leaned farther, stretching to meet me.
I braced, drew a deep breath, and jumped—twisting midair. His grip locked around my wrist at the same moment I summoned a vine from my other palm. It whipped toward a small notch in the stone and anchored hard.
Together, we hauled me into the opening. I tucked and rolled, landing with more momentum than grace but still on solid ground. The vine withered and crumbled to dust at my side.
My breath came in shallow bursts as I pressed my palms to the cold stone and looked up. Shayde was already kneeling in front of me, one brow arched.
“If you could do that,” he said dryly, “why wait until after I risked my life climbing?”
I stood, brushing dust from my leathers. “You made a deal to put your life before mine. I made no such deal for you.”
His lips twisted—just enough for the shadow of a dimple to appear—before I turned away. I brushed past him, letting my satchel knock his side in deliberate passing.
His footsteps followed without protest. Without questions.
One part of Father’s training had been learning these tunnels so well I could navigate them blind. Light was a liability. Darkness kept me hidden—and gave me the edge against anyone who couldn’t move without a torch.
Fire elementals could light the way… but not here. Not in the Barren Watch. Every one of them wore a tungsten choker, binding their magic—just like Shayde.
We walked in darkness and silence for what felt like a mile, stopping only when Shayde lost track of me. His hand found my satchel, gripping it to guide him—only because I’d shrugged it off my shoulder first.
From memory, we’d landed outside the tunnel nearest the northern wall of the Barrens. I’d been to the wall before, but never beyond it. It was guarded so heavily, day and night, that even the General’s own soldiers weren’t allowed through.
Crossing into Tyria wasn’t just forbidden. It was treason against the War Chief. And if we were caught… well, I’d toss Shayde to the wolves and use the chaos to escape.
“Where have you been all day?” Scarlet’s voice sliced through my thoughts.
“What do you mean? You were there when we crossed the chasm.” I mentally rolled my eyes.
“Rhodes and I haven’t been able to sense our marekem for over twelve hours. It’s like you two vanished into thin air.”
I froze mid-step. Shayde collided into my back with a grunt. Twelve hours? No wonder it was so dark outside. I shook off the weariness creeping into my bones and kept moving.
“The chasm must’ve taken something in exchange for distance,” I said.“Time, apparently.”
Scarlet didn’t answer, but her apprehension rippled through the bond.
We had to reach the northern wall before making camp. The tunnels offered good cover, but not enough to risk being found while resting. I made a sharp right, and the ground began to rise beneath our feet.
