Page 212 of The Black Witch

“But how?” Yvan breathes, like he’s viewing a miraculous mirage. “I thought you couldn’t break it...”

“Oh, you can break it,” Trystan says, slyly, “if you freeze it first.”

Understanding lights Yvan’s expression. So incredibly simple. So obvious.

Trystan’s eyes take on a dark, mischievous glint. “I don’t know about you two,” he whispers, still grinning, “but I’m in the mood for breaking cages.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Ice

After my shift ends, I rush back to the North Tower, a spring in my step that even my heavy book bag can’t weigh down. I’m elated by Trystan’s discovery, only half aware of my surroundings. Thoughts of dragon rescue whir excitedly in my mind.

Saved. Everyone who’ll need to get out as good as saved. Wynter. Ariel. Tierney. Yvan. We’ll rescue Yvan’s dragon, and no one will have to be afraid anymore.

It’s dark and winter-quiet on the broad field leading up to the tower, and a sickle moon hangs overhead.

The wind picks up and whistles through the nearby forest. The eerie sound highlights a deeper silence, the surrounding wilds a tangle of bare branches.

Watching me.

I slow, then stop, suddenly rooted to my place on this broad expanse of sloping field. The walk from the University city to the North Tower is long and solitary, far away from everything. The wind shudders through the trees.

I swear I can feel eyes on me.

The hairs on the back of my neck go up, and I glance uneasily around.

The North Tower is still a distance away, a dim light shining from its upstairs window. The lower half of the tower has an odd glint, as if it’s glazed with a thin layer of spun sugar.

Ice.

Alarmed, I stop and turn clear around, the lights of the University city mere pinpricks in the distance. From here, the mammoth stone buildings are as small as a child’s toys. My heart picks up speed.

Movement by a solitary tree catches my eye, halfway between me and the wilds. I squint and make out the dark silhouette of a woman.

She steps toward me, moonlight flooding over her. Panicked recognition sweeps over me.

Fallon Bane.

Ancient One, no. No, please no. Not here. She can’t be here.

I’m frantically aware of the North Tower at my back as danger floods my mind.

Marina. Marina. Marina.

My heart thuds high in my chest as Fallon approaches. My palms go moist as the wind whistles around us both and digs its icy claws into me.

Where’s her guard? She never goes anywhere without her guard.

I nervously peer into the distance and can just make the four men out, waiting at the base of the field, quietly watching us.

I can barely think around the blood thudding in my temples.

She’s come for revenge,I sickeningly realize. Revenge for Lukas gifting me with the violin.

Desperate, I go on the offensive, wanting to drive Fallon and her guards clear back from this field, away from the tower.

“What are you doing here?” I demand as I drop my book bag to the ground and stomp toward her on shaky legs. I shoot her a mocking scowl as I come to a stop just before her. “Did someone leave your cage open?”

---