Sienna was slipping.
“I can’t – I need help!” Kara cried.
Sebastian dropped onto the platform beside her, the entire structure swaying dangerously under the force of his landing.
Please let the ropes hold.
Sebastian knelt, grabbing Sienna’s other arm. “I’ve got her,” he said.
As he spoke, Kara felt it – the faintest spark of energy humming beneath his skin. A surge of power below the surface. She saw it in his face: the temptation. The instinct to reach for magic. But the disqualification – the shame – it would follow him.
“We can pull her up without it,” Kara said. “Together.”
He looked at her for only a second, then nodded, his magic receding. “Ready?”
Together, they heaved. Sienna came up with a strangled cry, landing in a heap on the platform. Kara collapsed next to her, sweat dripping down her back, breathing heavily. Beside her, Sebastian stood, rolling his shoulders, and shifted back as much as he could on the narrow platform, giving Sienna room to breathe.
“Thanks,” Sienna cried as the crowd cheered below. Kara could barely hear them. Her heartbeat was pounding in her ears, drowning everything out.
Sebastian reached for Sienna’s hand but the moment she tried to stand, she buckled instantly, crying out in pain. Sebastian caught her before she fell, one arm around her waist, and swore under his breath.
“It’s my ankle,” Sienna whimpered.
“Let me see,” Kara demanded.
But Sebastian shook his head and pulled Sienna onto his back. Even without magic he made it look effortless. “Not here,” he said as the platform swayed under their feet. “I’ll jump with her. Hold on, Sienna.”
Without another word he turned and leapt back to the pillar in one motion. He laid Sienna gently on the ground, Morra immediately fussing over her. Kara took one final breath and threw herself into the air, landing hard next to them. She turned her attention to Sienna.
“Don’t move,” she said quickly. “Let me look.”
Kara grabbed bandages and splints from her satchel. Sebastian held them in place whilst she wrapped Sienna’s ankle – quick and efficient. A sprain. Without emerald, it would have to do. As they worked together, Kara noticed how steady his hands were. How practised.
“You’ve done this before,” she said.
“Field training,” he said shortly. “Thorne don’t use healers, remember?”
“You two–” Sienna winced as Kara tied the bandage. “–make a good team.”
Kara caught Sebastian’s eye – neither of them disagreed. They helped Sienna to her feet in silence.
“Here,” Sebastian said, offering Sienna a vial from his pocket. “Take this, it’ll help.”
“Sorrel’s Mercy?” Kara asked, surprised, as Sienna downed the small bottle, wrinkling her nose at the taste.
“My mother’s remedy,” Sebastian said, not looking at her.
Oryen pushed forward impatiently towards the final obstacle. “Come on!” he urged. “We need to get a move on.”
“We’re not rushing,” Gregor said flatly. “Sienna’s hurt.”
“We would have been ahead,” Oryen snapped, looking straight at Kara. “If someone had moved efficiently instead of together.”
“I wasn’t going to leave her–” Kara began hotly.
“No one said leave her,” Oryen interrupted. “But slowing the entire team for one person? That’s poor strategy.”
“Poor strategy is letting someone fall,” Sebastian said, voice low and dangerous.
