Page 91 of Frosted Torment

“Once your wrist is through there,” he informed us. “The last of the runes will disappear and the opening will expand. Itwill allow us enough time to get to the edge of the waterfall. From there, you’ll portal us to your apartment.”

“And how will Noa get up there?” Lex inquired, shifting his weight to get a better view.

“I’ll lift her,” Vallen stated matter-of-factly. “Once opened, we can pull you both up there.”

Baz crossed his arms, a scowl deepening on his face. “You’re not going to touch her.”

Vallen stood composed beside him, arms relaxed by his sides as he tried to rein in his emotions. “Tell me how you want it done. Remember, your abilities are not the same as mine.”

Baz stepped up next to me and flashed a smile as he motioned toward Lex. “He can lift her.”

Lex shook his head with impatience. “It’s too small an area in here for me to unfurl my wings, brother.”

Vallen’s jaw ticked, almost pleased. “Lex is right. This space makes it impossible, whereas I don’t always need my wings to fly.”

Recognition dawned on Baz’s face, and he turned towards me.“I don’t trust this, Noa.”

I looked up subtly, aiming not to draw attention to our private exchange.“He can lift me. Don’t worry, I’m the one he wants to kill, remember?”

“Yes! That’s why I don’t trust him,”Baz persisted.

“He won’t do anything until the essence has made its way out of my body, so smile and play along.”I feigned contemplation with varying expressions.

“Vallen can lift me, Baz. It’s fine,” I finally reassured them and sheathed my dagger.

Vallen rolled his eyes and remarked, “It’s adorable that youtwo pretend like I don’t know you’re having a conversation in your head.”

Baz hesitated, his gaze shifting between me and Vallen before finally nodding in reluctant agreement. I looked at Lex, who found our decision-making skills boring.

Lex cut in, patting Baz’s arm with a sense of urgency. “Can we get on with this, please?”

“Let’s do it,” I said with a confident nod.

“We need rope, Lex,” Vallen pointed out, eyeing the backpack. Lex rolled his eyes.

“You couldn’t have mentioned that before I was ready to go?”

Lex pulled off his backpack and located a bundle of light yellow climbing rope. Vallen knelt down in front of me, hands hovering above my waist as if waiting for permission. I hesitated, searching his eyes for any hint of dishonesty.

But his expression was sincere, making me feel like I could trust him, at least for this task. He took one end of the rope and tied it around my waist with a tight knot. Lex and Baz unwound the rest, leaving enough for Baz to stay on the cave floor until I reached the top.

Once Vallen and I were through the opening, Baz would secure himself to the rope still connected to me. Then Vallen would pull him up while Lex brought up the rear. I braced myself and nodded, trying to ignore how his touch sent an electrifying jolt through me.

A fleeting look of pain crossed Vallen’s eyes as he hoisted me up, his movements fluid and graceful. His hands were strong but gentle enough not to bruise me. For a moment, I felt almostinvincible as I raised my arm so that my wrist could break through the final barrier.

The runes lining the opening began to glow, and the distant sound of rushing water grew louder. The cave trembled as if waking from a long slumber—time was running out.

With a sudden whoosh of air, the opening widened and granted us access to the outside world. We landed on an expanse of grassy terrain near the top of a roaring waterfall’s edge.

“Let’s move!” he yelled down to Baz and Lex.

A strong gust of wind almost knocked me over, but Vallen reached his arm around my waist and pulled me into him. “Not your time,” he whispered.

“Yet,” I said, sarcasm evident in my response. “Not my timeyet, is what you meant.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, then pushed myself away, planting my feet on the ground. A rumble below us made me jump, and I decided that lying face down on the ground was the better option. Vallen knelt down on one knee and placed a hand on my back, showing concern for me rather than ensuring I didn’t die before the ceremony to replace my soul.

I was kidding myself to think there was any other reason. As I looked into the cave, Baz tied himself off and tugged on the rope. Vallen began hoisting him up when a faint screech carried across the mountains, and I jumped. Then, what felt like a small earthquake shook the ground. I turned my head and looked at Vallen.

---