Page 111 of Wraithwound

This isn’t happening, not now. In her moment of panic, Lena could only think of one thing to do. A way to shock her body so that she might regain control. Lifting her hand off the rope, she turned her gloved palm to the sky and smashed the top of her burned hand into the nearest stone. The burst of pain made her see stars, and she clamped her mouth shut to avoid crying out. After a moment, the pain receded, and she felt like she could breathe again. It worked. Lena crashed back into her body and used the momentary reprieve to complete the crossing.

Taryk eyed her warily as he helped her off the rope. Cross was at her side in an instant, as if he’d leapt over the gap instead of using the rope to traverse the mountainside.

“I don’t think it’s spotted us yet,” Laney said. “Let’s go. The entrance is this way.”

They ran, following Laney as she scanned the terrain and began to mumble to herself:

“Marked by an arch, the temple awaits.

Crafted of bone and petrified slate.

Stand below, watch the world unfurl

To enter you must be marked by two worlds.”

“Look for an arch! Made of slate!” Laney yelled to no one in particular.

“There.” Taryk pointed towards a crude arch made of blue grey stone. In the sickly grey light, it blended perfectly with their surroundings. Lena had to admit she expected something a little more distinguished and worthy of a Goddess’s temple. Riley seemed to be examining the arch closely, but Taya only looked at Cross.

“Laney, what did you say about the arch?” Riley asked.

“The woman I met, she used to recite the verse in her sleep. The part about the arch says it’s crafted of bone and petrified slate.”

“It seems pretty straight forward to me,” Taya interjected. “There’s the arch. Go through. We don’t have time to dissect every word of some poem.”

Lena couldn’t help but agree. The Aurynn was getting closer, and every moment they spent out in the open put the others in danger.

“No, there’s something odd about the wording,” Taryk said, pausing. “My uncle, he’s a mason. He says slate signifies harmony among the elements. If the slate is petrified, I would expect things to be unbalanced somehow.”

Lena nodded gratefully, hoping to ponder the words later and began walking towards the arch, but Cross stopped her.

“Wait. Just—” He started and then paused.

But Lena didn’t want to wait. The longer she delayed, the clearer it became she would never see them again. See Cross again.

“I have to go,” she said, averting her gaze.

Perhaps Cross had been distant because he, too, knew she wasn’t likely to return.

“Wyn,” Lena called, searching for the eleuth. It scampered over to her and nuzzled into her gloved hand.

“She really seems to like the feel of leather,” Riley said.

It struck Lena as an odd comment, but she didn’t have time to react as Laney flung her arms around Lena’s neck.

“I’m so happy I met you. I hope the EverGods bless your path,” she said before stepping back to stand near Taryk. Lena noted the look of awe on his face as he stared at the maiden and worked to hide her smirk.

“Me too,” she said, and she meant it.

Riley hugged her next, and Lena stiffened, afraid the gesture might anger Taya further, but Riley didn’t seem to care.

“Despite what’s between you and Taya, know that you will always have friends in The Whispers,” she said.

Lena’s heart squeezed at that. She couldn’t quite find the words to voice her emotions, so she nodded instead.

When Cross made his way back over, his blue eyes looked dull, troubled, and the gold specks were barely visible.

“I’ll be right here waiting for you when you get back,” he said, reaching for her hand.