My bloodstream flooded with adrenaline. Though it didn’t make any sense, I did know this creature. I couldn’t recall how, but Idid. And instead of fear, intense anticipation lifted the hairs on my arms. The desire to follow the creature came over me swift and fast. I wanted to remember how I knew this shadow. I wanted to know what this creature knew about me.
When the shadow reached its enormous hand toward me, I reached back.
Then Zarqa was in front of me, her threadbare cloak billowing as if in an angry storm, her glare shooting twin beams of crimson light straight through me. She snatched my hand and jerked me away from the shadow. Sand swelled up, surrounding us. With a gasp, I lifted my arms to cover my eyes.
When I lowered them again, I was back in the Seer’s hut.
Adrenaline made me lightheaded, and my insides contracted tightly in fear. “What… what was that?” I asked breathlessly. I could still feel the sun baking my skin, taste the sand in my mouth. And when I looked down, the paint on my arms was indeed chipped.
“The realm of visions is volatile,” she replied, as if that were an answer, and then began whispering fervently under her breath. She lifted her hands away from mine slowly, and as our palms pulled apart, glittering emerald rays stretched out. As the Seer moved her hands farther away, I saw they weren’t just rays. They weresymbols, delicate swirls that I didn’t recognize. I didn’t think I would’ve been able to understand them even if I knew how to read.
The Seer lifted her hands until the symbols were levitating in the space in front of our eyes. They bathed the entire room in their gentle green glow.
Then, in a sharp movement, the Seer’s hands flexed, palms out to my face.
The symbols shot at me and slammed into my forehead, knocking me on my back.
It was like someone had brought a branding iron down on me. I squeezed my eyes shut and screamed, clawing at my forehead as the symbols burned into me. I saw them on the backs of my lids, felt them burrow into my skull, my brain.
When I opened my eyes again, green light beamed out. I slapped my hands over my eyes and writhed on the floor as another shriek cracked out of me.
I was burning from the inside out. My blood was on fire. Mybone marrowwas on fire. I was going to die. I was dying. I was—
It stopped. Just as quickly as it had come on, it all just… stopped.
The heat died, leaving a dull throb above my eyebrows. No light beamed out when I opened my eyes this time. Even the pink light from the lantern had gone out, stranding me in the quiet dark.
Struggling to catch my breath, I grabbed the edge of the table and pulled myself up.
Zarqa was gone; I was alone.
I stood—too quickly. Vertigo enveloped me, and I reeled backward into the wall of pans, which clanged loudly. I waited for the spinning to subside, but it didn’t.
Holding my breath, I pressed my shoulder against the wall and slid along it, staggering to the front door.
When I emerged from the hut, everyone turned to me.
My legs gave out, and I vomited.
Rade was at my side in an instant, rubbing my back and mumbling soothing words.
I didn’t hear a single one of them.
Every time I tried to stand, I saw double and my stomach turned over. I vomited again.
Suddenly, I was being lifted and cradled against a strong chest. I dared to crack open my eyes and recognized Keir’s face above me.
“Keep your eyes closed,” he warned a split second before he took off, bolting impossibly fast. I squeezed my eyes shut and clung to the fur of his cloak.
Hurried shuffling followed us within the darkness. It kept speed with Keir, and a vicious laugh sounded very close by, watching from the shadows. But Keir’s arms tightened around me, and he didn’t slow.
The wind whipped my hair against my cheek, and before I knew it, sunlight warmed the backs of my lids.
He didn’t bother asking if I was well enough to ride on my own. He just settled me into the saddle and then climbed up behind me, clutching me to him as he whipped the horse’s reins. We took off like an arrow out of what had once been Netherridge.
I must’ve passed out, because the next thing I knew, I was lying in my bed.
Keir stood at the edge of the bed. Sweat glistened on his face, and he was staring at me with wide eyes.
