Page 52 of Forged In Magic

Yes.

We can’t find a way in. We need you to help us.

Isaac opened his eyes as wide as he could but was met with the familiar inky blackness.

How? he asked, the familiarity of his magic coming back, even in its weakened state.

Then he croaked a dry laugh. Magic. He had his magic. Tightening his hold on Kate with one arm, he held out his other hand just as he had thirty days ago and used his magic. A small ball of light appeared for a moment before it fizzled out. He tried again, concentrating on making the smallest ball of light he could.

We need an opening.

In part of his mind, Jack’s answer registered, but Isaac didn’t respond as he focused on the light.

Setting the tiny ball of light on the blanket, Isaac brushed Kate’s hair off her face while he continued to hold her against his chest. Even in the dim light, he could see flaky patches on Kate’s dry, pale skin. Her lips were dry and cracked too, patches of blood caked into the edges where they had split.

Pulling on his magic, Isaac tried to conjure a bottle of water, but he was too weak. He tried three times, and each time he felt himself growing weaker. When he gave up, despair punched him hard.

Isaac?

Isaac!

Isaac bent forward and kissed Kate’s forehead. When he straightened, he knew he needed to respond to Jack.

I’m here.

You have to help us! We need an opening.

Isaac barked a harsh laugh, then coughed as the sound stuck in his throat. An opening? If only it were that easy.

Kate let out a large, shuddering breath like she was expelling her last one, just as his magic light sputtered and died, pitching the room into darkness.

Panic seized Isaac as he fumbled for her shoulders in the dark. He gripped her upper arms and yanked her up higher on to his chest. With one arm wrapped around her, he gently prodded her with his fingers, trying to find her mouth. Lowering his face to her mouth, he froze, waiting for her soft puff of breath.

It felt like a century passed by before he felt the small breath. He didn’t move as he waited for another one. When it finally came, he realized they were coming too far apart.

Hurry! he yelled into Jack’s mind.

The room won’t let us in! Isaac could feel Jack’s frustration in his mind. We need a way in!

Isaac wanted to yell at Jack, and if he had the strength, he might have. Didn’t Jack know that he and Kate wouldn’t have been stuck in the fucking room for thirty days if there had been a goddamned opening?

His own breathing felt shallow now, and he panted as he lowered Kate to the blankets beside him. Trying to calm himself, he closed his eyes, since he couldn’t see in the dark anyway. Isaac knew the room. He knew every crack in the four walls, had studied them all.

Pushing up to his knees, his muscles shaking and barely strong enough to hold him, Isaac leaned over Kate and pressed both his palms to the wall. Dragging his hands around in circles, he searched for the large crack he knew was there.

It had formed right after the walls encroached further into the room, buckling the bed. Kate had pushed at the wall, and another crack tore through it. They had feared the wall would split open and if they could have ensured they wouldn’t tumble into space, they would have forced it.

Isaac knew this was his last hope.

He sent one final message to Jack. Watch the walls. Then he threw the last of his strength against the crack in the wall and pushed.

20

Isaac felt the wall vibrate under his palms, the crack’s jagged edge tearing into his flesh. Fearing the entire structure would come crashing down, he gave the wall one final push. Then, forcing himself to find the strength, he curled his body backward and draped himself over Kate.

As he wrapped his arms around Kate’s head, a deafening roar split the air.

With the force of a nine out of ten on the Richter scale, the room rocked from side to side. Still curled around Kate, Isaac felt their bodies go airborne. They were tossed into a solid object, barely giving him time to register the pain before they hurled backward like a boomerang.

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