The group hastened across, reaching the narrow, winding path that clung to the cliff’s side. Roscoe, who’d caused the near miss, gave her a shame-faced look before ducking past her.
The rest of the journey up the cliff was one of anxiety and anticipation. At least on Shea’s part. The rest of the group were silent, whatever thoughts they might have, hidden under the complete focus needed to not stumble off the side and plummet to their death.
Worse, they had to move quickly and quietly so Shea would have time to get back to her room before anyone noticed her missing.
It was almost a relief to crest the cliff and be greeted by the sight of the mist. Shea tossed them the rope she’d brought, waiting as they secured it to their waists, and then they were off, their forms disappearing into the damp embrace of the fog.
Night and day had no effect on the mist. It was as if there was a faint hint of sun always in the sky. Consequently, that meant a faint light made the going easy. Unlike her last time through, there were no monsters waiting to eat her.
They passed through its embrace quickly, its tendrils sliding away as soon as they stepped out the other side.
Shea took a deep breath as the view of the mountain valley came into view. They were slightly further down the valley than where they’d left the other team, but close enough that Eamon and the rest shouldn’t have any trouble hooking up with them.
The others untied themselves from the rope and Shea took it, wrapping it up and stuffing it in her pack while they got their bearings.
Eamon walked up to her. “You had better head back now. We should be safe enough from here.”
Shea and he stood shoulder-to-shoulder looking out over the valley, mountains rising sharply on either side.
“What odd turns our lives take,” Shea said. “Not too long ago I would have been going with you.”
Part of her longed to do that still. It went against the grain to send someone else into danger. She’d prefer to take the risk rather than see her friends die.
“You could still come with us,” Eamon said, his face a shadow as it turned to look at her in night.
She shook her head. Her reasons for not going were still relevant. There were things only she could do back at the Keep. “Not this time.”
It was a good feeling, a relief. She’d thought she’d feel more regret than she did, but already her focus was returning to what was behind her rather than what was in front of her.
She dug through her pack, pulling out the primers and maps she’d spent half the afternoon tracking down and negotiating for.
“Here, these should help.” She handed him four primer books and two sets of maps.
“What are they?” he asked, taking them from her.
“Basic descriptions of beasts you might run into. There should be something about mythologicals in there too. The information on the latter might be a little spotty, so trust your judgement. The packets are maps.”
His whistle was almost soundless in the dark. “How did you manage that?”
“I still have a few allies. They’re not the best maps, but they should help.”
Eamon’s movements were quiet as he pulled his pack forward and tucked the items away. “Thanks, Shea. I appreciate it.”
She nodded. “Just make sure you don’t get dead. I haven’t spent all this time training you to have to start again.”
His chuckle rumbled through the dark, and she glanced away with a smile, her gaze falling on Phillip’s slim build.
“About our former team member, did you know about his little surprise?” she asked.
She sensed the shake of his head rather than saw it. “Not until he showed up saying he was on the roster. Braden assigned him to this mission.”
“Be careful of him,” she warned.
“I don’t think we’re the ones who have to worry,” Eamon said.
Probably not. From what she’d put together, the Stray Wind served Fallon with unquestioning loyalty, but they’d been wrong before. She just didn’t want Eamon to find himself with a knife in his back for his trouble.
“That may be, but it’s better to be cautious than dead,” Shea said.
