Tether.
He must have a tether.
“No. Wait. Please tell me how I can save you.”
“The Archives,” a soft voice fades into the darkness.
A bright white light shines in my face, mingling with dark streaks of shadow. The light pulses with a light yet dark energy as I hear him.
“Briar, don’t give up on me.”
I feel as if my body is being lifted off the ground, but no matter how hard I squint, I can’t see anything. I struggle against the pull, desperate to hold on a little longer. I need to talk to Rohhit. I can’t leave him in this darkness. Silas’s voice grows louder and more frantic, as if he’s also searching for me in the dark.
I yield and let the silver string of light draw me toward his voice. The white light fades away, and everything becomes silent.
Agasp of air fills my lungs, and my body slowly starts to feel whole again. My legs aren’t numb, I can hear things normally, and the pain from my shoulder comes crashing back into my body. My eyes remain shut as I feel two strong arms wrap around my body. Silas’s scent fills my nose, and I inhale deeply once more.
I must be dreaming.
“She’s breathing, again.” I hear his voice.
“Thank fucking Gods,” Larkin responds.
I lay there, wrapped in his warmth, before I dare open my eyes. A gentle hand brushes a fallen strand of hair from my face.
“Open your eyes,” Silas speaks to me this time. “Please open your eyes, my love.”
I slowly open my eyes. The cave's dimness confuses me for a moment, so I sift through my last memories to grasp where I am. Silas’s face comes into focus, and I blink rapidly to clear my vision. His handsome face is smeared with thick black blood, and his eyes are filled with both rage and concern, but when our eyes lock, that all disappears.
“Hey,” he whispers.
I softly smile. “Hey.”
“I asked you not to do anything stupid,” Silas grins.
“I didn’t, technically.”
He leans forward and kisses my forehead. “Sarcastic, even on your deathbed.”
My lips quiver, but I smile.
“Unfortunately, since you got hurt, I have to kill Larkin now for a few reasons,” Silas speaks again. “I’ve recently been filled in on everything.”
“Look, Silas.” I hear Larkin huffing from a few yards away. “I feel fucking terrible as it is. It would almost be a favor if you killed me right now.”
“Don’t kill him,” my voice rasps.
A heavy exhale escapes Larkin’s throat as I shift my gaze around the small pocket I occupy, deep inside Death’s Opening.
“No, you definitely can,” Larkin responds.
The surrounding caverns remain silent except for the faint sound of water trickling deeper through the winding tunnels. Silas continues to stroke my head, giving me time to collect myself. With each passing second, my senses return to my body, and the trembling begins to ease.
“How are you here right now?” I ask.
“I felt you slipping away. I was with my mother and Fenmore when it started.” His jaw tenses. “My chest felt like a boulder was being pressed down on it, then I heard you scream, as if my nightmares were becoming reality. I started shifting as fast as I could to find and reach you.”
I blink up at him. “Is that my blood?”
