The light shimmered again.
My blood blazed.
No.
I pounded on the entrance, veins blazing.
Again.
And again.
The passage didn’t accept me, either.
Then Dax’s face popped out just as my fist fell down once more. Only this time, it hit him.
“Are you coming or–OW!” Dax’s hands flew to his nose. “What in Xamor’s name did you do that for?”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, staring at the passage in horror.
“What’s happening?” Dax asked, too fast, too sharp.
Ryker and I exchanged a twin stare of shock.
“The crater won’t let me leave.”
Chapter 34
Allie
“Did you do this?” Dax yelled, pointing his finger at Ryker.
“If I could control who came in and out of my crater, you wouldn’t be here,” Ryker bit out.
“Stop it!” I screamed, twisting my fingers as if I could weave an explanation out of thin air, through sheer will alone. “We need to think fast, the warriors are waiting.”
Ryker ran a hand down the shimmering entrance. His hand slipped right through.
“It isn’t saying anything,” he hissed. “What incantation did you use?”
“Just to keep the city safe and to warn us if something’s wrong.” My eyes widened, heart thudding. “Is–is this a warning?”
Ryker’s jaw tightened.
“Or maybe this godsdamned crater just has it out for all Veghearas.” Dax spit on the ground. “It failed to drown me, now it’s taking revenge on you.”
“If it wanted me dead, it could have caved the passage,” I said.
No, this didn’t feel like a death threat. It felt like the crater sinking its claws in me and not letting go.
A shiver raced through Ryker. “Don’t even say that. You’ll bring misfortune upon yourself.”
“Misfortune’s already here.” I kicked the passage again. It remained stubbornly solid, and sent a jolt of pain straight through my frozen toes. “Why won’t it let me leave?”
“The crater tried to stop you from leaving before,” Ryker said slowly. Dangerously. “Before Orion attacked.”
My mouth fell open. “You’re right.”
Those purple lights and the passage had tried their damndest to stop me from escaping right into a trap.
