Chapter 10
As she sat in the back seat of the Jeep climbing the mountain, Nadia’s face still ached, even though she’d put ice on her cheek earlier. So far, nobody had found Bulwark. She wanted to be a nice wolf, but having him be dead wasn’t a terrible thing. Even so, who had set those charges?
Bussy glanced back from the driver’s seat. “Are you warm enough, dear?”
“Yes.” As warm as she could be, considering she was being sent on another dangerous quest. “Did you hear anything more about the explosives?”
Margaret turned to partially face her from the front passenger seat. Snow pelted the front window and was swept away by the windshield wipers. “Just that the saboteur used normal mining explosives that we keep on hand in several places.” She shrugged. “I’m not surprised one of the challengers tried to kill Bulwark, but you’re supposed to stay safe. This doesn’t make sense.”
Nadia swallowed. “It might make sense. I feel like Isaac wants to mate with Taryn. Luca might be interested in her, as well. She’s very…tall.” And beautiful. According to Caidrik, Taryn was intelligent to boot. Whatever.
Margaret gasped. “You don’t think one of them actually tried to take you out of play?”
Nadia eyed her. Had she been watching mafia movies again? “It’s possible, right?”
Bussy pulled over, her headlights beaming toward Solomon and Isaac. “I don’t like the sound of that, but I guess it’s a possibility?” She turned and reached back for Nadia’s hand. “The good news is that since you’re with Isaac on this challenge, he has to make sure you return alive.” She winced. “Although, he seems like a decent guy to me. My money is on Luca as the wolf playing dirty. He is the only one who wasn’t poisoned by the tea.”
Nadia held her friend’s hand, feeling grounded for the first time all day. “True, but he didn’t harm me if he was the one who put poison in those cups.”
“Taryn wasn’t here yet,” Margaret reminded her. “So you were the only option for mating.”
Oh. Crap. “Where is Luca now?” Nadia whispered.
“He’s on a quest with Taryn,” Margaret said. “So you’re safe for now, if he is the bad guy here.”
Nadia squinted to see the dusky night. “Where’s Caidrik?” Hopefully somewhere close. She’d never forget how he rushed into that mine tunnel to save her.
“On one of his challenges.” Bussy blanched. “He can’t be here and involved in the trials of others, even if you are required to be here, Nadia. I’m sorry.”
Dread slithered through Nadia. “That’s okay. I can take care of myself.” She released Bussy’s hand.
Margaret leaned forward, squinting through the windshield. “Well. That looks murky.”
Nadia stayed where she was, hands tucked under her legs, letting the warmth soak in for one more second. Outside, snow whipped sideways, rattling against the glass. The sound of water carried to her, even through the windstorm.
“This is it,” Bussy said. “The bridge should be just down there. Do you want us to come with you to meet Solomon?”
“No. Please stay in here where it’s warm.” Nadia opened the door. The cold hit her and went straight through her coat. She sucked in a breath that burned. Her lungs hadn’t completely healed from the mining accident earlier, and she kept coughing out slate particles. She jumped out of the Jeep, and her boots slipped on the ice. Regaining her balance, she shut the door to keep the ladies warm.
Bussy rolled down her window. “Don’t rush.”
Margaret leaned over her sister. “You can do this. I know it.”
Nadia snorted once and walked into the light cast by the Jeep’s headlights, slogging through the snow until she reached a cliff.
Isaac stood near the edge with his shoulders hunched, staring at a barely there bridge that extended into nowhere. Snow had settled into his hair and the seams of his jacket.
“Hey,” she said.
He startled slightly, his hair looking more red than brown in the dimming light. “Hey.”
They stood side by side and surveyed the danger.
The bridge was nothing more than two ropes for handrails and a series of narrow boards strung as steps, some warped, some slick with ice. It stretched out over a churning river far below, white water smashing against rocks with a sound that never stopped. Mist rose from the river, freezing almost as soon as the water hit the air.
Solomon held the grimoire and shook his head. “I wish you wouldn’t have chosen this one.”
“It was a blind draw,” Nadia retorted.
