Page 37 of A Fate in Flames

Instead of being offended, Theo laughed—a sound that quickly morphed into violent choking as he inhaled his own saliva—which in turn, caused Tavrik’s lips to twitch before reluctantly chuckling.

The sight was so unexpected, I found myself joining in, our collective hysteria echoing across the vast landscape.

Our laughter died in our throats when we saw it.

Finally.

The Veil loomed before us, a wall of shifting air, delicately shimmering like heat rising from desert sands.The closer we got, the stronger the pull became, like invisible hands grasping at my waist, dragging me forward.

“Does everyone feel that?”I asked.“Or is it just me?”

Theo stared, mesmerised.“I can feel it.”His voice held a tinge of awe as he stepped closer, eyes locked on the Veil’s ever-moving surface.The faint ripple, like stone breaking the surface of a still lake.

“Oh, I can feel it alright,” Tavrik muttered.“It feels like it’s going to drag me in.”

I ran my fingers over the near-invisible wall.The sensation was odd, like tracing over delicate silk.I could see through it, but the landscape beyond looked exactly like what was behind us.A perfect mirror.

I reached forward, pushing my hand through.

It vanished.

I yanked it back, my gaze flicking to Theo and Tavrik.

Tavrik stepped up, cautiously pressing his own hand against the Veil.He watched closely.

“It’s an illusion,” he said.“What we see here—” he gestured to the false landscape beyond, “isn’t what’s actually waiting for us.”

So, we were going in blind.Great.

My heart pounded violently, an internal war raging in my chest.My mouth went dry, my palms slick with sweat.

I can’t do this.I hate this.I want to go home.

I gripped Theo’s hand.Hard.My nails dug into his palm, but he didn’t flinch away.He just held on tighter, his calloused fingers interlacing with mine.

“Just remember what we planned.”Tavrik’s voice was like steel.“Stick to the story.Stick together.”

I swallowed my growing fear.

We will be okay.We will be okay.

Theo met my gaze and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, our pulses beating in tandem.

With a deep breath, we stepped through.

Darkness.

A void swallowed us whole.

I felt it instantly.My body being torn away from Theo and Tavrik—our hands wrenched apart.The weightless sensation of being dragged through the abyss, my limbs flailing uselessly against nothing.

Panic surged, grasping at my throat.

“ELIRA!”

Their distant voices echoed in the black.

I tried to reach out, but I couldn’t move.I couldn’t see.