Page 48

"So I don't fall on you when I slip." His mouth tightened. "My reflexes aren't at their best."

The rain intensified, turning from scattered drops to a steady patter. Water began streaming down the ravine walls, creating miniature waterfalls across our path.

I stepped carefully onto a narrow ledge, testing it with my weight before committing. My markings tingled, a cool silver sensation spreading across my collarbone as they responded to the heightened danger. Through them, I could sense the composition of the rock face—which sections would hold and which might crumble.

"Here." I reached back to guide Varek's hand to a solid outcropping. "This one's stable."

He grasped it, his fingers brushing mine. A spark jumped between us, gold and silver light momentarily merging where our skin touched.

"Sorry," I muttered, pulling my hand away.

"Don't be." His voice dropped lower. "It helps."

We made slow progress, each step requiring careful consideration. The rain fell harder, turning the already treacherous path into a slippery nightmare. Water streamed down my face, plastering my hair to my scalp.

A rumble echoed through the ravine. Not thunder—something else.

"Did you hear that?" I stopped, straining to listen over the rain.

"Yes." Varek's head snapped up, scanning the ravine walls. "Water. A lot of it."

My stomach dropped. "Flash flood."

The words had barely left my mouth when I saw it—a wall of muddy water surging around the bend in the ravine, carrying debris and boulders in its churning mass.

"Up!" I grabbed Varek's arm. "We need to climb!"

The nearest wall looked almost vertical, with few handholds. I jumped for a protruding rock, scrambling for purchase as my feet slipped on the wet stone.

Varek followed, his movements slower but powerful. He reached up with his good arm, finding handholds I couldn't see. Below us, the water level rose with terrifying speed.

"There!" I pointed to a narrow ledge about fifteen feet up. "If we can reach that?—"

A chunk of rock gave way beneath my foot. I slid down several feet, fingers scraping against the stone as I fought for grip. Pain shot through my hands as my nails tore.

Varek lunged downward, catching my wrist. His face contorted with pain as the movement stretched his burned shoulder, but his grip remained iron-strong.

"I've got you." He pulled, muscles straining against his skin, lifelines flaring bright gold with the effort.

The water churned below us, close enough now that spray hit my legs. I found a foothold and pushed upward, helping Varek pull me to safety.

"The ledge," I gasped, pointing again to our target.

We climbed side by side now, fighting against the increasingly slick rock face. The ledge tantalized us, just a few feet away, when another rumble shook the ravine.

"Look out!" Varek shouted.

A section of the wall above us broke free, sending rocks tumbling down. Varek shoved me against the wall, shielding me with his body as debris rained around us. I heard him grunt in pain as something struck his already injured shoulder.

"Varek!"

"Keep climbing," he growled through clenched teeth.

With one final push, I hauled myself onto the ledge, then turned to help Varek. Blood mingled with rainwater on his shoulder, but he made it up beside me just as the flood waters surged past below, carrying tree trunks and boulders in its violent current.

We collapsed against the ravine wall, chests heaving. The ledge extended back into a shallow alcove, providing minimal shelter from the rain.

"Your shoulder," I said, reaching toward the fresh damage.