Page 80 of Frosted Torment

“So, if she is dead, then who’s in my head?” I asked, terrified of the answer.

Baz scoped the area around us as Lex walked around the tree again. My eyes followed the pool of liquid into the grass behind us and over toward the river separating us from the river. I walked the line, taking my time to follow its path, which led tothe edge. Lingering for an instant, I shook my head, angry with myself for not realizing it sooner.

I could feel Baz and Lex staring at me from behind. I should’ve been shocked, maybe even afraid. But I was growing used to the impossible. I shoved the dagger into my back pocket, then shook out my hands, trying to dispel the tingling in my fingertips.

“Let’s not keep Vallen waiting,” I called back to them over my shoulder.

Baz caught up with me and stood next to me as I stared at chunks of ice passing by us. “Are you feeling okay? You said Vallen,” he remarked.

“Feeling a lot of things,” I muttered, more to myself than to him. I struggled to put words to the jumble of emotions coursing through me. “It’s him, Baz,” my voice cracked. “Vallen’s in my head, and I’m pretty sure he’s the one feeding the tree.”

“Whoa, what?” Lex interjected as he rubbed his temples, hearing the news.

I squared my shoulders and took a deep, fortifying breath. Looking up at both of them, I snapped, without regard for either of their feelings. “It’s him and he’s in this fucking mountain. Don’t ask me how I know. Let’s get across, because I’ve got an angel to interrogate.”

Another sharp pain shot through my lip, and my foot slipped on the slick riverbank. Strong arms wrapped around my waist, halting my fall. I found myself pressed against Baz’s muscular chest, those glowing blue eyes filled with dread as he steadied me.

“Careful, Noa,” he cautioned, his breath warm against my cheek.

“Y-yeah,” I managed with a smile and straightened myself. “Thanks for the save.”

Baz nodded and stated to me without missing a beat, “I’m going to lift you into my arms. Then Lex is going to help you climb up for a piggyback ride.”

I hesitated, thinking it was the dumbest idea possible and I’d drown under the river current, except I knew they wouldn’t put me in a life-threatening situation. I wrapped my arms around Baz’s neck and nodded for him to hoist me up. Lex moved to Baz’s side, ready to catch me if I fell.

The icy current swirled around Baz’s legs as he waded across, and my arms grew tighter around his neck. He tapped my arm to give him some breathing room.

“I’m behind you, Noa. I’ll catch you if you fall, but loosen up,” said Lex with a chuckle. “Let’s not strangle Baz to death.”

Baz’s steps remained steady, his hold on me secure. I marveled at his strength, both physical and mental. What must it be like to be so certain of one’s purpose? To have an unshakable duty to another person and make sure they’re always safe.

There was nothing about me that could take on that amount of responsibility. Returning these secrets to their rightful home as soon as possible would be best for us all.

Baz glanced back at me, a brief smile tugging at his lips. “Almost there. Doing okay?”

I managed a nod, tightening my grip. “Yeah. Let’s get this over with.”

After a few tense minutes, we reached the opposite bank. Baz set me down, his hands lingering at my waist a moment longer than necessary. I felt the loss of his warmth as I slid fromhis back, but the cold at the mountain didn’t match that of the hellfire. Callum’s essence was a lifesaver.

To the left, the waterfall roared between the black and white mountains, the icy spray creating a fine mist in the air. If my interpretations of my visions were correct, then Vallen was imprisoned in a cave somewhere behind the wall of water on the other side.

CHAPTER 29

Despite the butterflies in my stomach, I walked in sync with Baz, while Lex trailed closely behind us. We skirted the edge of the mountain to the other side, and I was grateful we didn’t need to climb.

We came to a stop, and a thunderous crash of water on rock above grew deafening. Icy gusts buffeted us from all sides. Finally, we reached a dead end, and the mountain face rose up in an impenetrable wall before us.

“Now what?” I shouted over the roar of the water.

Lex ran his hands over the slick black stone, searching for any hidden mechanisms. “Nothing here to indicate an entrance, Baz.”

“Look up.” He pointed to an overhang situated three feet above my head. “You can get Noa up there to crawl inside and check.”

I shook my head and walked away. “No way. You’re insane.”

“It’s our only shot, Noa,” said Lex, grabbing my arm and pulling me back.

I swallowed hard and took a deep inhale. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

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