Page 183 of Swords of Soul and Shadow
The bracelet sparkled softly in the dim cavern lighting. The tell-tale blue was only just discernible. Kase had to admit it was a good idea—one he wished he’d thought of earlier.
Niels continued, “So thank you for your help…I didn’t expect any from you, especially with…well, me and Hal.” He played with the braided cord. “And I heard…well, I overheard your conversation with that skeleton-looking fella. You did the right thing.”
The use of his nickname for her grated on Kase’s nerves, but he took a few deep breaths before remembering Stowe’s words. “Thought you believed I was arrogant.”
Niels’ neck turned pink, and he rubbed it again. “That was before I knew what you’d done for her.” He blew out a breath. “Just…thank you. I wouldn’t be here without you…and…” Hesitantly, he stuck out his hand. “I’m grateful Hal’s in good hands.”
Kase chewed on the inside of his cheek. If anything, Kase was in good hands with Hallie, but he accepted the handshake anyway. “Thanks.”
And with a nod, Niels was off back down the tunnel, and Kase was left again with only his thoughts and Sergeant’s watchful gaze.
Chapter 36
A THOUSAND DEATHS
Hallie
SWEAT DRIPPED DOWN HALLIE’S FACE as she smudged the Vasa on her fingers.
Her core warmed as she concentrated harder, ignoring Saldr’s narrowed eyes. The good news was that her power had begun to fill her once more. It made her feel calmer and anxious all at once.
The bad news: her own eyes stung from lack of sleep. Even though she and Kase had come to an agreement, she couldn’t just let go of her feelings altogether. She needed time to work through them, and that had caused some tossing and turning. Still, she knew she’d get there. She couldn’t imagine a life without their conversations, their banter, his sense of humor, and…well…and his lips.
“Yrea.”
The dust on her fingers flared to life for one millisecond before sputtering out.
She cursed.
“You seem to be distracted, Miss Walker,” Saldr said, holding out the dust pouch again. “Though my tree thanks you for the control you have gained.”
The tree above her was alive, no traces of trauma from the previous day. Saldr must’ve given in and allowed the use of Vasa to heal it.
Hallie grudgingly slipped her fingers in and pulled out another small pinch of the fine powder. She rubbed them together. “Yrea.”
In her mind, she could see the flame, the fire, the heat in her core. She tugged at it and teased it past the barrier of her skin and out through her coated fingers.
Warmth danced at the edges and caught fire, but as soon as it happened, it went dark once more.
She wanted to scream, to hit something. But she couldn’t. If she truly lost her temper, she might bring the entire city on their heads. Saldr’s poor tree had been inconsequential compared to what she could possibly do. What she’d done before.
“Keep trying. You’ve made much progress in only one day,” Saldr coaxed. “This is the first step to resetting the Gates. We cannot move forward until you master this. Were you observing the others last night like I suggested?”
Of course she had. She’d seen the spell performed dozens of times the night before. But she’d been distracted by her argument with Kase, and then their conversation, and then the dance, and that kiss…
She cursed as the light that had begun to radiate from her fingers went out as if doused with water.
“Don’t I have a choice?” she asked, suddenly desperate. “What happens if I say no?”
Fely and Saldr looked at one another. It was the look you gave someone when there was something you didn’t want to discuss, because it would only lead to something the other wouldn’t like—something bad.
Hallie met Saldr’s gaze. “What happens if I reset the Gate? What happens to me? To you? To Jayde?”
To Kase?She didn’t say that last one aloud.
Fely left, and she didn’t look at Hallie. She knew. She knew, and she didn’t want to be the one to tell Hallie…or see her face when she found out the truth.
That hurt. Hallie had thought they’d started to form a friendship of sorts, especially after finding out she’d been working against Cerulene the entire time, but it seemed Hallie was wrong.
