Page 92 of Frosted Torment

“Hurry up!” Dread filled my body as I tried to reach for the rope.

The piercing sound drew nearer, and I knew Vincent and his angels were almost at the mountain. Small rocks tumbled intothe opening, scattering around Lex. Baz shielded his face as Vallen made two quick moves to haul him out. He hopped over me and joined me.

“You okay?” he panted, his eyes scanning my body for any injuries.

I nodded, swallowing hard, then looked back down into the cave. “Lex’s turn.”

Vallen gripped my arm with a firm hold, his expression tense as he surveyed our surroundings for any signs of danger.

“What are you waiting for?” Baz snapped at Vallen, fear coloring his voice that he might run off with me.

Vallen didn’t respond but looked down at Lex and waved him up. As Vallen pulled on the rope again, the mountain shook violently, and Lex slipped from his grasp.

“No!” I reached for Lex, but he bounced in the air and smiled up at me.

“All good, here,” he called out, with one hand cupped around his mouth, holding on tightly to the rope with the other.

I repositioned myself on my knees and placed a hand on Baz’s shoulder. “Will you please scout around the area and let us know if we have company?”

Baz pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’ll go check things out.”

In one move, Baz was on his feet. As I turned my head back to Lex and Vallen, I heard Baz shift.

“Don’t take your eyes off Vallen,”he said.“I’m going to get in contact with the others now. The cave blocked me from communicating with anyone but you.”He sauntered off to check the mountain from all directions.

Watching Vallen was easy. The simmering rage I felt towardhim made sure of that. Even though it seemed like his essence was messing with my emotions, that confusion didn’t matter now. I shook my head and paid attention to Lex getting pulled up out of the opening below.

Once he was safely on solid ground beside me, I leaped up and wrapped him in a tight hug. “I’m glad you made it,” I said with a relieved squeal.

“Me too,” Lex smiled, then untied himself to return my hug with equal warmth.

I let the rope drop from my waist in time to see immense shadows passing above us—there had to be at least ten of them, their wings beating rhythmically and sending gusts of wind around us. Vallen moved in front of me like a human shield while Lex pressed his back against mine, scanning the opposite side of the mountain for threats.

A strangled cry pierced through the chaos.“Noa!”

“Baz! Where are you?” I strained to locate him, dashing toward the source of the voice around the rocky terrain.

Vallen grabbed my arm, yanking me back to face him. “You’ll die if you go.”

“And he’ll die if I don’t!” Desperation fueled my fists as they collided with his stone-like chest.

“You can live without him, but we can’t survive without you, Noa!” Vallen’s voice boomed, compelling me to meet his fierce gaze.

“Until you’ve gotten what you need from me, right?” Energy crackled at my fingertips as I sent jolts into Vallen’s muscles. Tears blurred my vision as anger turned into anguish. “You piece of shit! This is your fault; you should be the one dying!”

“Noa,”Baz called to me, his voice strained.“They torched Dawson’s and?—”

An excruciating howl erupted from his throat. My head snapped to the other side of the mountain as Vallen freed me. He, Lex, and I all stared up at Vincent hovering above us, Baz clutched by the throat with the claws of his wings.

“Run, Noa,”Baz choked out, his wolf form dangling hopelessly.

With a flick of his wrist, Vincent tossed Baz across the mountain. I heard him squeal as he landed with a back-breaking sound, then a splash into the waterfall.

A guttural scream escaped me. “Baz!” I clutched my chest, unable to breathe.“Baz! Baz!”There was nothing but silence, and I fell to my knees.

“I’ve missed you, brother,” Vincent purred down at Vallen with his crimson wings spread wide.

“I bet you have,” Vallen commented as he stepped forward, unfurling his gorgeous emerald-green wings with black-tipped talons.

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