Their armored, brutal bodies blocked my bow’s trajectory.
I wouldn’t get a clean shot.
With the last of my strength, I pushed Dax forward. “Go after the others.”
He turned to argue.
“That’s an order!” was all I said before running toward the nearest tree.
Three steps in, my knees finally gave out and felled me. Bitter, exhausted tears tore at my throat.
The ground trembled with the rush of the soldiers’ approach.
“Come on,” I begged.
Myself, the gods, the crater, whoever was listening.
“Come on!” I shouted at my useless feet.
Just as exhaustion sapped me dry, my energy draining along with my hope, a fresh wave of strength washed over me. It ignited my burning veins, soothing my blood.
It hadn’t come from me.
Or my power.
It was calm and controlled and it gave me the last push I needed.
I rose on quivering legs. In three steps, I was racing forward.
I jumped off the ground and kicked against the tree, propelling my body into the air, above the soldiers.
I swerved through the air and pulled on my bow string.
One last arrow.
One last shot.
One last chance.
Please.
The arrow hissed as I arched through the air.
The last thing I saw was its tip sinking into the ice before I slammed against a tree.
My body tumbled to the ground in a lumpy heap along with a pile of the snow I’d disturbed from its branches.
The air blasted from my lungs in a wheeze as I hit the ground.
A crack in my ribcage was all I heard through the ringing in my ear.
Pain erupted in my chest, intensified by each gasp.
My power seized.
The spell broke.
The rush of energy still cradled me in its warmth, taking the brunt of it.
