I snicker at him, “Perhaps. But this blade is wicked.”
“Not more so than you, I can assure it.” His words are flat.
I release the blade into his hand, feeling the slight slice in my own that formed with his light pressure.
He makes quick work on the coat, slicing the fabric into thick strips and then knots them into one continuous cord and then fastens it around one of Dahla’s stirrups.
“Alright,” he begins, “I’m going to scale down to him. When I tell you to pull, gently ease her back.”
He looks up and locks eyes with me.
“Don’t let her bolt or you’ll rip my arms out of socket or clean off, and I’m rather fond of them.”
I simply nod.
My heart thunders in my throat and the unsettling fog begins to gobble up the nearby flora and trees, easing slowly over the bush that Lees currently lays in.
The spine—chilling dense mass behind me presses inward until I can almost feel the sinister grasp of the pale shroud.
I let my weight shift between my feet and rub Dahla as the feline form of The Devourer scales down towards Caym.
Their murmurs float up to me until I hear a shout signaling they’re ready.
“Now Alora!” The Devourer yells and I begin to walk Dahla back slowly, allowing the curtain of fog to envelop me.
The crunching of fallen leaves and needles from branches is the only sound within the white barrier.
Everything else is muffled, jumbled within the ancient mist. The wall of plume surges forward quickly, swallowing the hole below me, including the men within it.
It’s too quiet, as if a predator watches and the prey falls into silence.
I concentrate and close my eyes, waiting forsomethingfrom The Devourer to signal me to halt or pause.
It’s hard to not imagine that this could very well be the depths of Haldir, where all those forsaken are doomed to roam.
“Alora,” a whisper has my heart leaping out of my chest, “myLykyng…”
It’s like I’ve been splashed with ice cold water as my blood freezes in my veins. I can’t help it when I trip on my own foot and fall backwards, landing squarely on my ass.
The too—close whisper comes again, “Alora… mydearest.”
I squeeze my eyes closed as if that could save me from the reality of this voice.
I haven’t heard that nickname since before everything, since…
“Hanin?”
His name rushes from my lips as a plea.
The ground beneath me shudders, or maybe it’s me shaking, but the temperature continues to cool until I can feel my breath fall back onto my face.
Opening my lids until only a slit of sight can be seen, Dahla’s dark form stands above me.
I take a deep breath, grounding myself, and roll to my side. I have to do this, I need to push through because Caym and Leeson are depending on me, and damnit The Devourer is too.
I push away any uncertainty and unsettling feelings and push up to my feet.
Dahla shifts her weight as her ears are pinned back. The makeshift cord is still pulled taut and I begin to walk Dahla back again.
