“What if the magic doesn’t work for me?” I asked.
Ace looked back at me, his dark gaze catching the strange light. “It’ll work because you’re with me.”
And phaan help me, I believed him.
I stepped onto the stone behind him, and the glow held. Cool mist curled around my boots, lapping at the leather and climbing higher with every breath.
More cracks echoed behind us. They’d picked up our trail.
“They’re close,” I said.
“Then move,” Ace growled.
One stone at a time, he stepped forward. As we moved, the glowing rocks behind us faded back to their normal pale colour and removed all trace of our path.
We were halfway across when a man shouted. “This way.”
They were so close. If they caught us while we were in the river, we wouldn’t stand a chance.
I moved faster, trying not to slip. The mist grew thicker, coiling around our legs and waists now. It smelled like moss and bark. I missed a step and slipped. My breath caught in my throat as I staggered to the side.
Ace caught me without turning. He tightened his grip and yanked me forward like I weighed nothing.
Nala yipped ahead, waiting for us to catch up. She apparently already knew this magical pathway. She’d crossed without incident or help.
The far side of the river ran deeper. “No special rocks?”
“We have to jump to get to the other bank,” Ace said.
And if we missed the bank, we risked getting swept away by the current or caught in the rocks. Fantastic.
Nala sprang forward, clearing the deep section with ease.
Ace let go of my hand to make the jump effortlessly. He turned to me, arms out. “Mouse. Now.”
I launched myself toward him, the last stone fading beneath my boot as I leapt. For one terrifying moment, I wasn’t sure I’d make it. But Ace caught me in his arms.
I slammed into his chest and his arms wrapped around me.
“I got you,” he said.
In that moment, I felt safe and secure, and I wanted to stay there for eternity. I looked up and our gazes locked. Something fierce and determined flashed across his expression, like a dragon protecting his horde, or maybe like a lone wolf who’d just cornered its prey. I wanted to soften that look. I wanted to destroy his confidence. I wanted so much more.
I wanted everything.
And wasn’t that just the sad part? Ace couldn’t give me anything but rejection, pain and sadness.
Men yelling in the forest broke the moment.
We tore apart and staggered up the grassy bank of the river to run into the safety of the surrounding forest. My heart hammered against my breastbone and my raspy breathing scraped my throat.
I looked back at our path. Our tracks were gone.
I took another step and looked down.
No.
The tracks weren’t gone. We didn’t make any to find.
