Page 65 of Of Serpents and Ruins
The passageway narrowed, water dripping from the ceiling. Brandt’s roars lessened, but the roar within me intensified.
Go back to him. Now!
"Get a grip!" I whimpered, clenching my eyes shut.
I wasn’t stupid. I really wasn’t. What could I do back there? Really? Nothing except die! And for no good reason.
The weight pressed harder upon me, my legs as heavy as if they’d been bound to the very core of the world.
Just go. Keep going.
Why was it so much harder than in the valley?
I braced my good hand against the damp stone wall, my breaths ragged. My fingers scraped along the smooth surface,seeking something to ground me. Cold sweat formed on my brow.
I wouldn’t go back.
Couldn’t.
Shouldn’t.
I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.
Once I had been a woman strong enough to lay her life down to save a world. Now, did I have the strength to keep walking away from the man I loved even if going back would get me killed?
Nope.
The weights fell away from my limbs as soon as I admitted the truth. I could run again. I was free. Free to return to him!
Blood thundered in my ears, the hum intensifying and blocking my ears.
"Brandt!" I shouted, not caring who heard. "Brandt, I'm coming!"
That was all that mattered, getting back to him.
I’d barely made it to the curve of the passage when strong arms covered in purple tattoos grabbed me and spun me around.
Ihlkit! I found myself looking up into Candy’s purple eyes.
The tall woman gasped with relief and hugged me tight. "I found her!" she shouted over her shoulder. "She’s down here! And I think I hear Brandt. Something's wrong."
I struggled to break free, shoving her arm away. "Let go of me! I have to get to Brandt! He’s in trouble."
Candy crushed me tighter. "Don’t worry. We’re getting him out. The others are on their way."
Anger blossomed inside of me. Candy was several inches taller, but by sheer force of rage, I would get out of this. I had to.
"Stop!" I screamed, thrashing harder. "You can’t keep me away from him!"
"Not keeping you away from him, hon. Just keeping you both alive until this curse is gone, all right?" Candy pressed her head against mine and squeezed me tighter, pinning even my wounded arm as I struggled. Horns! She was stronger than she looked. She was a real-life Amazon!
"You can’t keep me from him, and you can’t have him for yourself!" I snapped.
"Have him for myself?" She tilted her head, her immaculate brow arching dramatically. Even her freaking eyeliner was perfect. "You really are talking out of your head, Stella."
Before I could respond, a splinter of pain embedded in my consciousness. "Ah!" I gasped. It exploded through my arm, dragging me roughly back into the moment. I tried to double over as she held me. "My arm. My ribs!"
"Oh, sorry." She adjusted her grip but kept a firm hold on my other arm. She winced as she studied the bloody scrapes on my golden-brown skin. "You hit this hard. Is it broken?"
