A bead of sweat ran down the side of her face.You can do this, Gemma. She took a deep breath and stepped forward.
“Good,” Christian said. “Just two more to go.”
Two more?Gemma wanted to shout. That was two more chances for Christian to die or Gemma to fail.Stars, help me.
Christian’s next step was correct, and his instructions to Gemma were flawless. They were just one tile away now from passing, and hope sprouted in Gemma’s chest.
Then Christian stepped on the wrong tile.
The heat from the flame that hit him was so hot that even Gemma felt it. His cry of pain tugged at her heart. She yelled his name and moved to run toward him to assess the injury.
“No, stay there,” Christian shouted, his voice pained. “You touch the wrong tile, and we lose.”
She stilled instantly, her hands shaking. How badly had he been burned? She needed him to help her get across. What if he couldn’t get up from the ground?
Christian groaned loudly, and Gemma suspected he’d risen to his feet. He let out a deep breath. His footsteps followed—
Nothing.
Gemma almost cried out in relief. He’d figured out the final clue. They were going to make it.
“Directly to your right,” Christian said, his voice pained and deep.
Gemma obeyed.
“Now, step forward,” he instructed, and Gemma did as he asked.
The chamber brightened slowly, the alien symbols dimming as her sight returned and her eyes focused. She stood next to Christian, who clutched his side with a forearm so red and shiny that it glowed. And beneath a gaping hole that pierced the fabric of his uniform, was a raw, angry burn.
“Nice job,” Christian said before Gemma could ask to inspect the burn closer.
She sighed, reminding herself they were in a sim. The real Christian was unscathed. Though, he’d likely remember the pain for a long time.
“Well, you’re not too bad at the whole guiding thing,” Gemma replied, a small smile playing at her lips.
He returned the grin, his hazel-green eyes brightening. She shot her gaze toward the exit and cleared her throat.
“Shall we?” She motioned to the opening that would take them back to reality.
On the other side, Hawk and Imara stood on opposite sides of the small cavern, bickering.
“Next time, think before you pull things,” Hawk grumbled, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Imara crossed her arms and cocked a hip. “Oh, come on. You can’t tell me it wasn’t the right choice.” A cheeky grin spread across her face. “We’re here, aren’t we?”
“Barely.” There was a warmth in his tone that betrayed his irritation. “But if you didn’t have me to keep you alive—”
“Please,” Imara teased. “I’m the only reason we’re still breathing. Admit it.”
Gemma raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth flicking up in a soft grin. It seemed they’d had a very interesting trial.
Colton and Alfie joined a moment later. Alfie was all smiles, as usual, though he looked much more rattled than Colton.
“You should’ve seen him,” Alfie said. “Colton here was a pro. Barely broke a sweat!”
Colton offered a cool, small smile. “We managed.”
The piercing whistle that signaled their return to reality echoed off the walls of the cave. Gemma cupped her ears, squeezing her eyes closed—
