Page 78 of Golden Star

Zoey’s lips twist into the shadow of a smile. “Leadthe way, Navigator,” she says. “When did you learn how to navigate by the stars, by the way?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug and look up at the night sky, comforted by the blanket of sparkling little lights overhead. “I justknow.”

“Must be a fae thing.” She winces again, reminding me time is of the essence. And there’s no way she can run like that…

“Hop on my back,” I tell her.

“What?” She balks. “No way. I’m light, but notthatlight. I can walk.”

“We don’t have time to walk. We need torun,”I insist. “And ever since getting here, I’ve been feeling stronger. At least let me try.”

“Fine,” she gives in, and then, after a few awkward tries, she’s situated on my back in a way that’s not totally uncomfortable for her arm.

“Hold tight,” I say, and I burst into a sprint, recalling Zoey’s advice from the bridge earlier.

If I think about what we’re doing too much, I’ll fall.

So, I force myself tofeelinstead ofthink.

The forest blurs around us, the snowy ground dipping and rising, roots tugging at my feet as if trying to hold us back. But I move with surprising speed, with strength that carries us over obstacles as if they’re nothing.

Zoey’s grip tightens with each leap and lunge, but she doesn’t complain.

Occasionally, I glance at the sky for guidance, letting the stars lead the way. They paint a picture of the forest in my mind, like a compass engraved into my soul. I don’t know how they’re doing it, and I don’t know how to control it, but I’m happy to let it happen.

Zoey’s blood continues to soak my clothes. It smells sweet, as blood always does. And it’s making me hungry. I’d stop to feast on some deer again if I wasn’t running for our lives.

Finally, the wind shifts, and the trees break open into a dark expanse.

The ravine ahead stretches like a gaping wound in the earth, and I skid to a stop at the edge, sending snow scattering into the deep, dark abyss that will surely mean our deaths.

Sapphire

Nausea risesinto my throat as I stare down the ravine.

It’s so deep that I wouldn’t be surprised if someone told me it was a portal to the Underworld.

I can’t cross that. There’s no way I can cross it. Especially considering Zoey’s condition.

“You’re going to need a running start for momentum,” Zoey says, clutching my neck, her skin frighteningly cold. “About one hundred feet of it, give or take. More is better than less.”

I glance back at the forest we just burst out of, where animals scurry through branches and shadows flicker across the sparkling trees. I don’t hear the hunt yet. But if we hide, they’ll find us. Riven won’t be able to keep his knights from searching in the right places forever.

Our only known way back to the human realm is blocked.

Leaving Winter Court territory is our best chance at safety.

Assuming we don’t end up broken and dead at the bottom of that ravine.

Which means somehow, I have to get us to the other side.

I have to jump.

I turn and walk away from the ravine, counting my steps as I go. One hundred feet feels like an eternity, but when I turn back around, it doesn’t seem like nearly enough.

I zero in on the ground on the opposite side of the ravine—the place where I’ll be landing. It’s dark out, but with the light of the stars, I’m able to see. My supernatural vision is probably helping, too.

“You’ve got this,” Zoey says, and I wish she was also fae, so I could know whether she believes it, or if she’s lying. “Go. Now.”

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