Long.
I pressed my ear to the wall and heard a ragged breath.
“Mom?”
My knees almost buckled.
“I’m here, sweetheart. I’m right here.”
A sob broke from the other side, muffled by stone. “I knew you’d come.”
I pressed both palms against the wall, tears burning my eyes as magic surged wildly through me.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m okay.” Her voice trembled. “I think. I don’t know. She keeps moving the rooms or I’m losing my mind.”
“You’re not losing your mind, but I’m sure she’s hoping we both do. I’m going to get you out.”
“No, listen.” Panic sharpened her words. “Grandma’s here somewhere. I heard her. You have to get her out.”
My heart squeezed painfully.
“Keegan found her. He and Gideon are...”
“Gideon?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Mom.”
“I know,” I muttered quickly as the wall shuddered beneath my hands.
“She’s coming back.” Celeste groaned.
The room went colder, and every candle along the walls flickered to life at once, though I hadn’t noticed them until thatmoment. The flames burned blue, and the dead vines above the archway began unfurling with a slow, dry whisper.
I pressed harder against the wall.
“Move away from the stone.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
A beat of silence passed that nearly destroyed me as I realized what that meant.
“My wrist is chained.”
Rage moved through me so fast I saw white as the vines along the archway lunged.
I spun and threw up my hand, hedge magic erupting from the floor to meet them. Living green vines burst through the cracks in the stone, wrapping around the dead black ones before they could reach me. The room filled with the scrape and snap of magic tearing against magic.
My palms burned as the wall behind me rattled.
“Mom!”
“I’m here.” I shoved more magic into the living vines. “I’m still here.”
