Page 87 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
Whathadthey done to that well? Those two had said something was going on with it. Apparently, I’d pissed off whoever was behind this so much that they didn’t want there to be any chance of me surviving this trial.
Torrents of water were pushing out the dirt in broader streams, forming multiple grooves in the sides of the rubble pile and exposing jagged blocks of stone stacked precariously on top of one another. My gut twisted in warning. This was bad. Really bad. Especially if the volume of water kept intensifying.
The monster continued to steam and pulse over the edge of the cliff face. It parted itself when I jumped over the chasm, bubbling and curling. Only one red eye opened, and it shut almost immediately.
Thank Fate, the pendant worked for me as well.
Blood slicked the stones behind me, but I didn’t stop. If I did, I doubted I’d be able to run anymore. I jumped from ledge to ledge, picking my way down the rubble mountain while avoiding the sand and gravel that could slow me exponentially.
My breath came in short, shallow bursts, and my hearing narrowed to the pulse of blood and the distant screams of the foal.
Just a few minutes more. Hopefully, the foal could survive that long. I wished I could pack link with it to soothe it.
As I maneuvered around a slate boulder, I glimpsed the entrance sigil. My circle was still there, but the light was duller, the dark pink of the gown and the red-brown of the boots distinct against the darkness. I could still hide in the circle until the end of the trial.
I could hear Many-Greats scolding me.It’s just an animal. Leave it.
But this was about more than an animal. It was more about what these horrible people did to innocent beings in this world.
Rage boiled within me, and I embraced it. There was no way in hell I was going to abandon the baby unicorn and let these assholes win. If I could save it, could the baby unicorn fit with me in the circle?
When the circle appeared in front of me, I nearly cried. I ran to the boots and dress and snatched them into my arms. I could carry the boots by the laces, which now made me thank whoever had knotted them together on me, though I doubted they’d meant for me to be appreciative.
I ran as quickly as possible back up the mountain. The gush of water had grown even stronger, and my stomach twisted with fear as my pace turned into a slow jog. Each time I glanced up, it seemed like there was more water, and the foal’s cries grew louder.
By the time I reached the basin, the unicorn had moved a little closer to the edge of the quicksand. Its panicked voice was hoarse, but when it saw me, its eyes brightened.
My knees nearly buckled, but I caught myself.
Fate help me. How much longer can I keep going?I rubbed one hand over my bleeding chest, wincing at the sting.At least let me to live long enough to save the foal.
Gritting my teeth, I picked up the arrow and used it to cut the gown into pieces. Pink thread snapped as the fabric gave way. I triple-knotted the sections together, layering them as I glanced up at the foal. “It’s all right. I’m gonna get you out. Just stop struggling.”
The unicorn tossed its head again, but its panicked breaths slowed.
I picked up the makeshift rope and attached it to one of the boots to help it go farther. Heart in throat, I tossed it.
The colorful rope shot out over the quicksand and wrapped loosely around the foal’s neck, the boot thudding against its cheek. The unicorn startled and jerked its head back with another squeal.
“Grab it!” I gasped. It was getting harder to speak. “I’ll pull you out.”
Whether it understood me or just acted on instinct, the foal twisted its head and bit down on the knotted dress. I wrapped the rope tight around my hands and began to pull.
My arms ached, my body throbbed, and my head wanted to split in two. My wolf had gone quieter than I ever remembered her being.
The ground trembled, and a heavy tearing sound groaned through the air. Something cracked.
I glanced up to find that the water from the well was surging even faster. A large chunk of mud and earth slid down the side of the well facing the entrance sigil. More crumbling chunks rolled down after it.
Fuck!
Muscles burning, I braced my feet on the rock and heaved. The makeshift rope dug into the raw cut in my hand. Sweat and blood stung my eyes, and the world wobbled around me. Everything tunneled to the rhythm of my arms and feet: yank, slide, brace, and yank again.
The foal scrabbled for traction, hanging on to the rope with its mouth and pulling itself forward. It twisted and winced as if the pressure was increasing on it as well.
Above us, the hiss of water intensified. It poured from the well as if some spell had turned it into a fire hydrant. Another strange, aching groan vibrated through the air, and the water turned an ugly shade of pink.
Black dots swam in front of my eyes. Gritting my teeth, I pulled harder. “Come on!”
