Zarreth
The ridge smells like burned metal. The ground smooths under our boots where the heat melted the stone. The portal sits at the base where two mountains meet. The edges shimmer, pulsing in and out, as mist drifts through the light. The cool breeze should be welcome against the scorching heat, but every instinct I have makes me want to back away.
Scraps of parchment lie scattered across the ground, corners pinned down by stones. Frankie steps closer to one, crouching down to brush ash from it. It’s covered in numbers and smeared sketches. “What is this?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No idea.”
The air moves again, stirring the parchment paper and lifting a strand of her hair. She glances toward the portal, tilting her head like she’s listening to something. “It doesn’t feel like I thought it would,” she says, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
“How did you think it’d feel?” I ask as she takes a step closer. She’s the only one that doesn’t seem put off by it. Everyone else is keeping their distance.
She shakes her head slowly. “I don’t know. Intimidating, maybe even scary, but it’s not. It feels refreshing, I guess.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” Jess says, her face pale as ever. “It feels eerie to me.”
A voice carries from farther up the slope. “Careful! Don’t step past the black line, it’s very unpredictable.”
Quenric comes into view and I shake my head. He must be the one responsible for the scattered notes. Research brings him more joy than it should. “I’m not surprised to see you here.”
His hair sticks up like he’s been struck by lightning. “I’m surprised the entire realm isn’t here. It’s fascinating, truly magnificent.” He waves a piece of paper, eyes bright with excitement. “According to my observations…well,ongoingobservations, the portal’s energy peaks then dips before settling for an absurdly brief amount of time. Once I learned you and your friends were going through, I simply had to chart the exact second of equilibrium! That’s when you’ll have the best chance of not being torn apart. Isn’t that thrilling?”
He straightens, continuing before anyone can get a word in. “And, of course, when you return, I’d very much like to examine you. For research purposes, naturally. I need to see if it alters your resonance.”
Graven arches a brow. “Ourwhat,now?”
“Your harmonic imprint, of course,” Quenric responds.
“Of course,” he says flatly.
Quenric glances up from his notes. “Ah, hear that?” he asks, cocking his head. “That tone shift means it’s close to stabilizing. Give it a few breaths, then go. Perfect timing!”
Frankie doesn’t move, gaze locked on the portal. I throw her bag over one shoulder, and her body over the other. “Zarreth, I can walk!” she yells, but I’m not letting her go.
I’m not taking any chances. “I know you can,” I say, and smack my hand across her voluptuous ass. “But right now, all you have to do is hold on.”
Graven also has Jess slung over one of his shoulders, clearly not trusting her to stay close. “You ready?” Jess yells to Frankie.
“Always,” she replies.
The sound drops as Quenric begins grinning like a madman. “Now! Go while it’s still calm!”
The wind slams into us the moment I step through, nearly ripping Frankie off my shoulder. I pull her down, crushing her against me, her limbs latching on tight. My wings fold around her, taking the worse of the debris. A sharp sting bites into my side as it yanks us in another direction.
I’m being crushed and deflated at the same time, but I don’t let go. I’ll never let go. I hold on until the portal pushes us through and snaps back into place. The ground hits hard, driving the air from my lungs. I can’t tell which way is up and which way is down. Steadying myself, I quickly open my wings, ready to tell Frankie it’s over…but she’s gone.
She’s gone!
Where the fuck is she? Gods, don’t let her…
“Eyes up,” Graven snaps.
I drag my gaze from the empty space where she should be. Spears surround us, lightning glinting along their points.
CHAPTER 27
Frankie
My rib cage screams for release as Zarreth crushes me in his arms. That’s okay, I’d rather have a few broken ribs than be lost to this chaos. I hold tight. Thank God his wings are blocking the debris from tearing into my skin.
