Page 94 of The Ninth Element

“Are you all right?” Bahador asks.

Samira, her chest heaving, manages a weak “Aye.”

She covers her eyes with her forearm, trying to find her breath. After a few moments, she uses the same forearm to wipe the sweat from her brow, sits up, and her gaze immediately settles on the fourth row.

“Don’t even think about it,” Bahador warns with a gruff voice.

Has she lost her senses? Does she really think she can jump again after that near fall? If I were in her position, I would be terrified, knowing I would have to jump back the same distance I almost fell, let alone consider jumping even farther forward, a longer distance.

But Samira stubbornly gets back to her feet, her eyes fixed on the path ahead of her. “The sorcerer said this is all an illusion. We might not die if we fall.”

“He said we might or might not,” Bahador says. “Would you really risk your life on the words of an Aramisi? I’ve known sellswords with more loyalty. It’s a fool’s gamble.”

Samira lifts her chin defiantly. “Better a fool’s gamble than a coward’s retreat.”

“He also warned that strong magic can deceive your mind, leading to a broken body,” Faelas says. “Is there anything about this illusion that doesn’tfeel powerful to you? The Myran died by whatever illusion he experienced here.”

But Samira, with deep determination in her voice, responds, “I promised Olanna.”

Guilt floods my heart, sharp and relentless. It should be Olanna here, gracefully leaping across these cursed pillars. Instead, Zanyar and I, with the fewest coins to gather, are both here, with all nine of ours collected while Samira faces this impossible challenge. If she falls, I’ll carry the weight of her demise for the rest of my life.

My gaze shifts to the second pillar ahead on my path. The gap looks daunting, but everyone else crossed the first and second rows with only small difficulty. I can’t be that much weaker than them! Even if I lack Samira’s skills or those of the Izadeonians, this jump seems trivial compared to the distance she’s contemplating.

“Don’t,” a voice hisses, startling me.

It’s Zanyar. I see his intense gaze fixed on me as I turn to him. How did he know? I didn’t even move! But Zanyar’s eyes lock onto mine, conveying a silent command as he shakes his head in a disapproving gesture.

“Nine hells, woman,” Bahador exclaims, pulling me from my thoughts. “Have you lost your mind?”

But Samira is already getting ready to jump.

“Wait, wait,” Bahador urges, pointing to the pillar in front of him. “I’ll grab one for you.”

Samira turns to him with disbelief.

“Bahador!” Darian snaps. “Don’t be a fool.”

Now I’m starting to panic. Bahador is strong, but he is heavy, and his weight will work against him on such a wide leap. Even Faelas, who is as light as a sack of feathers compared to Bahador, nearly slipped to his doom, jumping the same distance. And Samira, for all her strength and agility, dangled over the edge. I have a better chance of leaping to the second row than Bahador jumping to the third. Or so I think until I eye the distance again.

“Arien,” Zanyar hisses again. Thankfully, he keeps his voice low, andthe others don’t hear. But I have already made my decision. Ignoring his warning, I take a step back.

“Arien!” Zanyar’s voice is piercing this time, and it reverberates through the cavern. But it’s too late.

Suddenly, I am flying! Well, not actually flying, but it feels like it. Like a bird escaping its cage, I soar through the air.

Everything seems to slow down, and time stretches out, each heartbeat echoing forever. The gap between the pillars narrows, and the distance over the abyss now seems like just a small step away.

Zanyar’s shout captures everyone’s attention. But my body moves faster than their astonishment. I land hard on the second pillar, and my foot slips immediately. Momentum propels me forward, and I’m down on all fours, clinging to the pillar’s edge like a drowning sailor to driftwood. Heart thundering in my chest, I take a moment to gather my wits.

I did it! A thrill surges through me, sharp and sweet as the taste of victory.

“Here,” I say, collecting the coin and holding it in the air for Samira to see. “This one’s for you.”

“Arien!” Darian roars.

“What in the nine hells were you thinking?” Faelas grumbles.

“Gods preserve us from reckless fools,” Bahador mutters, shaking his head.

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