“Look,” I said, tossing another rock and watching as it faded behind thedirt.
I stepped forward, only for Leo to put an arm around my waist. “Wait, Rose. Let me go first to make sure it’s safe.”
Pulling out of his grip, I turned to face him. “This trial isn’t about safety, monkey boy. Just trust me.”
Then I spread my arms wide and fell backward into the void.
64
Leo
Ileapt to the wall as Rose vanished from sight, Lark close on my heels.
“Horace! Get over here, now!” she shouted at our friend, who had successfully lured the beast far enough away for us to make our escape. But I could tell his illusions weren’t going to last much longer. The half lion, half bear was agitated, its ears pinned back to its head as it stalked toward Horace, apparently done with his tricks. Saliva dripped from its sharp, dagger-like teeth, and a low growl resounded in its chest.
“Go, Lark,” I said quickly. “Find Rose. I’ll get Horace.”
“Are you sure?”
“Go. Make sure she’s safe.”
She gave me a skeptical look, then sighed. “Fine. Be careful. I don’t want to have to answer to your sister if I bring your body back in pieces.”
“Better you than me,” I replied as she gathered the skirts of her black gown and stepped through the portal.
I turned my attention back to Horace. “Alright, we’ve established you’re the bravest of us, now come on!” I yelled, angelica leaves already poised on my fingertips. Placing the sweet plant onmy tongue, I focused on the beast’s swishing tail and murmured, “Incendar.”
It instantly caught fire, distracting it long enough for Horace to sprint toward me. The creature gnashed its teeth and lashed its tail back and forth to put out the flames.
“Through the wall,” I commanded as Horace neared. He barely gave me a second look before bursting headfirst into the rocky barrier, his body fading into thin air as the others had.
The beast let out an ear splitting roar and pounded across the cave. My last glimpse of it before I barreled through the portal was its furious eyes, spittle dripping from its maw, and a large paw lunging at the wall.
Blinding pain shot through my back.
The world went dark as I fell into nothingness.
It was like stepping beneath a freezing waterfall. Ice skittered across my skin, so intense it took my breath away, before the pit of darkness opened and I was spat onto soft grass.
“Leo!” Rose shrieked as my face landed on the ground. The coolness of the grass beneath me counteracted the burning coming from my back. I tried to rise to my knees but crumpled, my muscles giving way to throbbing ache.
“It got you,” Rose said, gasping.
“I just…need a minute.” I groaned, then flexed my arms and lifted my chest off the ground high enough for me to check my surroundings. “Where are we?”
“Above the tunnels on a small island near one of Mysthelm’s coasts,” Lark said.
“You mean that wasn’t the end of the trial?” I rasped out. We were gathered in the middle of a large clearing with the night’s sky above us. I could make out a forest to the right, but it was too dark to see beyond it.
“Not nearly,” Lark answered.
“We’ll worry about that later. I need to heal his back,” Rose said. I turned my neck as she fell to her knees by my side, wincing when her delicate hands reached across my back. Even the barestof touches set my skin on fire. I couldn’t see the damage, but I knew the beast’s claws had sunk in deep.
“I have to move your shirt so I can clean it,” she said. I nodded stiffly, sucking in a breath and clenching my jaw as her fingers grabbed pieces of shredded fabric and carefully pulled them away. Each movement sent pain slicing down every nerve. I let out a rough exhale when she peeled one strip away that had gotten embedded in the gash, and she stopped.
“Keep going,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’m fine.”
“It’s almost clear.” Another piece grazed the open wound. “This isn’t how I imagined getting you naked for the first time.”
