His body moves swiftly across the ashy ground. His arms pump against his body, and he shifts in small bouts closer to me—like he’s only got a little magic left before completely fizzling out. My hands begin to tremble.
He’s here.
He found me.
I step forward, feeling almost too heavy to move. A distant feminine scream pulls me back to reality, and I nearly run back to the tree to hide, just like I've been doing for what feels like weeks.
I have seconds to reach Silas before the Great Wiitch finds us both, and although my heart pounds against my ribs, I makeup my mind to take another step. My unsteady legs somehow propel me forward, and adrenaline hits my stomach like bricks.
Silas.
Our connection tugs at me to continue forward, because if I stop, I know I’ll be caught. I take off at a dead sprint in his direction.
Kalix’s wicked voice booms through the damp air. “He’s found you, Briar. Your tether between worlds.” She laughs wildly. “What happens next time when he can’t find you? What will you do?”
Kalix pauses, letting the words sink into my horrified body.
That won’t happen.
This won’t happen again.
“My poor girl; hewillfail you. He will leave one day. You’ll see. You think you are found, but you will always be lost—so fucking lost—just as I am.”
My steps quicken, ignoring her words, and I move my sore arms to push myself faster. My hair moves behind me, flying through the air, and tears coat my face. He’s here and nearly within my reach.
Kalix’s laugh travels through my body like the icy touch of a cold finger. With every cackle, she draws closer. The crows begin to dive bomb me, and I shout, attempting to avoid their claws.
A few more steps. I can do this.
I hear Silas shout again, encouraging me. “Keep going.”
You are Briar Blackbyrne. I repeat to myself.Push.
A sob breaks from my throat, and although the pain threatens to take me to my knees, I keep going, knowing the pain will be worse if I stop.
“Eyes only on me,” he screams.
The hiss from a distant creature fills the chaotic air, and my stomach rolls. The commotion has awoken everything visible—and not—in this realm, and our time is running out.
“That’s it,” he screams, breathless. “Ignore that.”
Another sob breaks from my lips.
“Get to me,” Silas pleads.
A few steps left, and my lungs nearly give out. His presence grows in the darkness, and my trembling hands fall to my side as my legs give out. I feel myself slipping, unable to keep going, but he catches me.
Silas and I crash together.
His scent overtakes those of burning ash and the decaying surroundings I’ve grown used to all these weeks. His warmth wraps around my body, and I weep. He’s here. I’m not alone. Relief floods my veins, but it doesn’t slow my racing heart.
I close my eyes, unaware and uncaring of the surrounding ruins anymore.
“I found you.” Silas’s voice dances in my ears. “Gods, I finally fucking found you.”
I listen, and the world around me begins to quiet; the burning smell fades, and Kalix's miserable laughter subsides.
“Keep your eyes closed,” he whispers, wrapping his hand around my head, pressing me against his chest.
