“But you never froze. That’s impressive.”
She couldn’t stop the sheepish smile that took over her face. She liked this side of him. Maybe a little too much.
Gemma took a hand out of his to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She needed to be really careful around him if she didn’t want to fail her mission.
“All right,” Christian said, his words echoing as he guided Gemma into their next destination. They had to be in an expansive room now if their voices bounced off walls, much like they did inside the mines.
He continued. “There are tiles on the floor with more of those purple symbols on them. And on the walls...” Christian’s voice trailed off. A short pause, then, “It seems there’s a pattern we need to follow in order to get across. If we don’t do it right...Well, let’s not find that out.”
“Thanks. That’s comforting.”
Christian chuckled softly. “Just step on the ones I tell you to, and you’ll be fine.”
Gemma took a deep breath and let go of his hand. Her legs wobbled as she stood, waiting for Christian’s first instruction. If she somehow messed this up because she couldn’t see...
She swallowed deeply and forced her thoughts to settle. She would listen to Christian’s voice only. Hers didn’t have a place in her head right now.
“Okay. Your tiles are parallel to mine, which means I have to follow the same pattern as you if I’m to get across. So, I’ll go first, one at a time, and make sure I choose the right ones before I let you step onto something.”
“And what happens if you blow up?” Gemma quipped.
“Then run like mad.”
The playfulness in his voice did nothing to slow her increasing pulse. She didn’t have him to hold on to this time, and the thought that she might be left to figure it out alone without her eyesight...
Deep breaths, Gemma.
The room was eerily quiet until Christian’s footsteps punctured the silence.
He let out a slow breath. “Forty-five degrees forward, to your right. Each tile is a decent size, so take a big step.”
Gemma’s anxiety lessened. The Dissent had been wise in showing her how to use a compass—she didn’t need her vision to see the angle. Maybe this test would be much easier than anticipated.
She took a big step in the direction Christian had instructed and paused.
No sounds followed to indicate she’d made a mistake. She blew out a breath between pursed lips, wiping her sweaty palms on her trousers.
Christian stepped forward again.
A series of loud whooshes filled the air.
“Get down!” Christian shouted.
Gemma dropped to the ground, covering her head for protection. High-pitched whistles sang above her, but a second later were gone.
“Well, that wasn’t the right one,” Christian spoke into the silence.
“You’re not filling me with much confidence right now,” Gemma replied, rising back onto her feet.
“You’re right—sorry. Let me try again.”
He took another step, and Gemma held her breath. She’d been half-joking about him blowing up, but considering his last move had been the wrong one...
Nothing happened, and Gemma released the air from her lungs.
“Okay, your next tile is at your ten-o-clock,” Christian said.
At my ten?She grimaced. If she stepped just a little too far toward her nine or eleven, both of them would be going home.
