Page 77 of Bound In Inked Flame (Of Crows and Thorns Saga #1)

77

Graysen

I t wasn’t the earth shifting beneath Nelle I heard first—it was her heart erupting into a frantic beat, like rain pelting a tin roof. I felt her terror in my chest and it strangled every other thought I possessed.

The earth had weakened beneath her feet and she’d jolted down with it. Her body swayed, unbalanced by the motion, and she flung her arms out to steady herself. Her big gray eyes flared impossibly wide, shining with horror.

Our gazes locked. My heart, my godsdamned heart, stopped beating. I froze in fear.

Too much. It was too much. I’d just witnessed her tumbling from the mansion’s rooftop and held her in my arms as she died.

I couldn’t.

I couldn’t lose her again.

I wouldn’t survive it.

Run forward —my mind screamed faster than I could hurl the words from my mouth. Now, Nelle, NOW!

And then the earth crumbled beneath her.

A whole chunk from the cliff face gave way.

One moment she was there—

The next—

Gone.