The ledge was uneven, dipping in areas, widening and narrowing with every step. It took every ounce of focus to keep my footing steady.
“Away from that fire, that’s all I know,” Nat said, continuing along the wall.
After a few minutes the wall began to turn and with it the ledge expanded into a full yard giving us plenty of room to maneuver. I was grateful for the space, because hanging off the edge of a wall was not my idea of a good time. As far as we could tell, no one had come down that tunnel yet. They probably assumed they’d torched anyone that was in the path of their flame.
There was no way to tell how long this abyss went on. Light filtering in from above was minimal at best, giving way to shadows and darkness. Inside, my power felt like it was thriving. Basking in the essence of its making that was all around us.
At least I wasn’t in danger of plummeting straight down, I thought right before a shudder emanated from behind us.
I turned my head just in time to see a crack forming on the ground beneath Killian’s feet spreading along the entire length of the ledge.
Shit.
“Run!” I cried out, pushing Nat to move and pulling on Dex’s hand that was still clasped around mine.
Huge chunks of where we had just come from began falling into the chasm.
My legs were moving as fast as they could carry me. Blood rushed through my body, pulsating in my ears— muffling everything around us.
“Go faster!” Dex yelled from right behind me.
I chanced looking behind us again and saw the moment when the ground gave way under Killian’s feet. One minute he was there, running, and the next he was swallowed up. Gone with nothing but his scream remaining.
“Go, go, go!” I cried, pushing Nat square in the back, hoping it would make her move faster.
“I’m going as fast as I can!” She snapped back.
The cracks were speeding up, spreading beneath my feet. I could feel the ground shaking with each step I took, wondering if I was about to fall just like Killian.
My heart was pounding so hard that I could feel it hammering against my rib cage. I could feel Dex’s hand tightening in mine.
Up ahead a small alcove in the wall emerged. If we could make it there, maybe we could have a chance to survive.
The ground began to give way, and it was harder to stay ahead of the falling parts.
We had to make it, we had to?—
The ground crumbled beneath me and in the next step, I felt nothing but air.
Chapter 21
Dex
Everything had gone to hell. From the moment the other teams descended, I’d been trying to keep Odessa safe, while still carrying out my original plan. But I was failing epically on both fronts.
Not only had two other powers slipped right through my fingers, but it seemed Odessa and I were destined to fall to an early death. The ground was cracking apart faster than we could run.
While the alcove was close, it wasn’t close enough.
There were no bones nearby to manipulate into something I could use here. The light was useless, and the spider and strength powers wouldn’t get me anywhere. If only I’d killed that Reed and taken his power of flight, before he fucked off leaving us to this fate.
Maybe the water could do something?
I took another step and when I did, I felt my entire body plummet. My stomach lurched into my throat as air whipped around me.
I’d still had hold of Odessa’s hand and one look at her broke me.
She was screaming, and that one haunting sound burrowed deep into my chest along with regret that I hadn’t kept her safe like I promised.
