My legs collapsed, and my sword fell to my side.
“Your arm.” Caterpillar’s voice was slow, measured. “Around my shoulders. If you wish to remain upright.”
I nodded, fighting the darkness creeping at the edges of my vision. “I have to get Alice. I left her on a branch. High up in a tree.” I draped my arm over his shoulder, leaning into him. “She can’t get down by herself.”
“Ah.” He began to move, each step deliberate. “And you intend to... fly to her rescue?”
“Yes.”
“Fascinating.” A long pause. “You cannot fly.”
“I can move faster than this.” The words came out through gritted teeth.
“Can you?” He tilted his head, utterly unruffled. “You are swaying. Your skin is the color of ash. You are, I believe, moments from unconsciousness.”
“I’m fine.”
“You are dying.” He said it like it was the answer to a riddle I hadn't asked. “That arrow. It will kill you. Not today, perhaps. But soon. You are not immortal, Hatter. None of us are.”
I didn’t answer. Maybe he was right. Probably he was right.
But every second we wasted, Alice sat stranded on that branch. Alone. Defenseless. And when the freeze broke—when the soldiers unfroze and Ari realized what had happened…
They would find her.
I couldn’t let that happen.
“Move faster,” I growled.
“Impatience.” He sighed. “The refuge of those who cannot accept what is.”
I ignored him. Pushed off his shoulder and ran—or tried to.
Three steps. The world tilted. My legs buckled.
I hit the ground hard, the arrow shifting, a scream of pain ripping through my side.
Alice. I had to get to Alice.
But the darkness swallowed me whole.
I clawed my way out of the darkness, gasping.
Pain—ruthless and relentless—ripped through my side. The arrow. Still there. Still killing me.
Beads of sweat rolled down my temples. “Alice.” Her name came out ragged, desperate. “Alice.”
Cool fingers wrapped around my clammy hand.
“I’m here.” Her face swam into focus above me—pale, worried, but whole. “I’m fine. I’m right here.”
Despite the pain, the relief nearly pulled me back under. She was safe. She was alive.
“How did you get down? I couldn’t get you. I tried?—”
“Shh.” She squeezed my hand. “Isn’t it obvious? I climbed down.” A small smile tugged at her lips. “I’ve got the bruises and scratches to prove it.”
Climbed down. Ten stories. In the dark. While soldiers swarmed below.
