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A quick tug on a different thread had her falling back.

She needed a stronger grip,which meant prolongingthe contact time to increase the normal force. More friction meant better sticking.

This time, the wall met her boots with a satisfying cling.

Taly knew to keep moving, jogging the first few steps. Otherwise, momentum would’ve snapped her body in half. She barked out a laugh, the sliver of slowed time beneath her boots gripping just enough to keep her anchored as the city turned sideways beneath her.

Then she was running.

Falling, spinning, careening down the building’s side.

No longer fighting gravity—she was riding it.

Crack after crack, faster and faster, higher and higher.

Hurtling towards the ground and gaining speed.

Aneirin was right there. She could almost reach him. Just a few more steps, one more crack—

Gravity and momentum suddenly lurched.

With a pained grunt, Taly hit the pavement and began rolling. She groaned as she heaved herself up, stumbling when her knees tried to buckle.

The world was spinning. She could taste blood, smell it—

“Move it, Shardless!” a rough voice snarled.

She jumped back just as a black coach roared past in a clatter of hooves and shouts.

The next crack. She just had to find the next crack, the next portal—

Taly?

Skye’s voice crackled distantly through the bond, like a faraway comm signal stretched too far. Even in her head, she sounded breathless as she answered,I’m here.

Where is here?Skye shot back. He must’ve been back on his feet and trying to follow her.

Shaking herself, Taly took note of the street names.Near the canal, I think.

Indeed, the air smelled of mildew and fish, and the streets were partially submerged, with boards thrown over the worst parts. The canal was old infrastructure, built deep underground and fed from a tributary of the Arda. It was constantly flooding during the spring rains.

Shock rattled down the bond.How the hell are you all the way across town?

I’m still trying to figure that out myself.

Taly crested a slope lined with cramped, narrow houses and dingy shops. No crack, and she couldn’t hear footsteps—Aneirin must’ve jumped without her.

So, she followed the stagnation, the sense of deathly cold left hanging in the air.

In her head, she felt Skye change direction, following the bond back to her. Images of moonlit buildings flashed in her mind’s eye, jumping roof-to-roof.

Around her, the city was a blur of color streaking past. Taly kept sprinting, her immortal body singing at the exertion. So many weeks pretending to be human, and she’d almost forgotten what it was like to run. To merely give into instinct and reflex and let go of everything else.

10, 11, 12…

The bodies were piling up.

17, 18…