Page 45 of Till Death

Except that hadn’t been reality.

I went to take the first step when someone pulled me back. Grinding my teeth, I rounded on Tamara. “What?”

“I know he said the bridge is spelled to only hold one of you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help. In my own way.” Tamara reached into her pocket and pulled out a bracelet, sliding it onto my wrist.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“It’s shungite and black tourmaline with amethyst. Something I always carried with me, so it makes sense that it would travel over with me once I died. Think of it like your good luck charm,” Tamara replied. “The stones themselves hold protective properties that should help bolster your natural resolve and stamina.”

“Thanks for not saying stubbornness. I’ve heard enough about that characteristic.” Did my voice sound as dry to them as it did to me? From the look on Tamara’s face, yup.

“Yeah, well, you don’t need any help there. But this will take care of the rest.”

I felt no different when she slid the bracelet into place, but I definitely appreciated the sentiment and the pain in my chest did certainly start to ebb. I cocked my head at Tamara. “Who would have thought you’d help me this way. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

She looked uncomfortable under my scrutiny. “Yeah, well, like you always remind me. I’m in it for myself. With you here, I have a better chance of getting out of this place. For the time being.” Tamara shrugged, trying to make it seem like this was no big deal.

It took me another moment to realize how uncontrollably my hand shook. I worked through the fear, preparing to take my next step when Lisa reached out to me.

“Hey, I know it’s not much, but this is a little better to hold than a sword,” she said as she placed a spare gun into my other free hand.

“I’m not the best shot,” I told her.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s a little gift from me to you. Since that’s what we’re doing now.”

Her sarcasm felt weirdly right. Forcing myself to smile, I straightened my shoulders and tucked the gun into the waistband of my pants. “Thanks again. I know exactly where the first bullet is going to go, too.”

Square between Amon’s eyes.

“Is there anything else we can do?” Lisa asked.

I liked how focused she stayed on the end goal but we both knew it had to be me. Beside me, Eli grew stiff, sensing something I did not.

“What’s the matter?” I asked him.

My head began to pound.

At last, he shook his head. “Nothing. You better go.”

I pushed my colossal fear aside and held onto the rope for dear life. It might actually be my life, I thought, as the bridge rocked underfoot.

Kay swayed ahead of me but didn’t fall. For a few life stealing seconds, I didn’t move. Not until my insides settled and I could compose myself well enough to take the next step. I skidded the toe of my boot along the planks, readjusting my balance to make sure I wasn’t going to cause more harm than good. Each step cost me.

Don’t look down.

“I’m coming,” I told Kay again. Except this time every syllable shook with the weight of my fear and my muscles felt way too stiff. Like a wrong move would have me cracking into pieces instead of falling.

Trusting Eli and the gang to keep any Halflings that found us at bay—and trusting Eli not to kill Cole while I was gone—I progressed down the bridge inch by inch, cursing under my breath with each heartbeat.

Yeah, the height. I refused to look down. Better to keep my focus solely on Kay rather than the deathly swan dive I might accidentally take. Definitely dead. Squished. Gone for real this time.

“Just breathe. It’s going to be fine. Do you hear me? Are you listening to me?” Kay gasped.

Oh, God. Even in this situation, she was still trying to comfort me.

I closed my eyes, right back in my Trial, having to let go of my lifeline to solid ground and take a chance. How I’d dropped onto the ledge, tumbling, rolling, saving my friend.

Having to make a choice.

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