Page 122 of Wicked Sea and Sky

“Marin…” I said slowly.

Rolling her shoulders, she yanked on a ropy vine, testing its strength.

“I have an idea. We need a better view, or we’ll be stuck in this maze all day and probably end up like our friend back there.”

“Those vines won’t hold you.”

“They will. But you'll catch me if I fall, partner.” She flashed me a quick grin beforepulling herself up.

I braced myself beneath her, ready in case the vines broke or she lost her grip. The mist swirled around her as she climbed, swallowing her whole before she vanished past the leafy canopy.

The back of my neck prickled. I went still, instinct telling me something in the air felt off, like we were being watched.

“What do you see?” I called up to her.

No answer.

A whisper of movement sliced through the mist, distant but close enough to set every nerve on edge. I pivoted, tracking the sound. Another low rustle shook the leaves. Closer this time. Then came the faint scrape of talons against stone.

We weren’t being watched. We were being hunted.

I unsheathed my cutlass and faced the mist. “Marin! Get down here. We need to move. Now!”

Chapter 39

Marin

The mist thinned thefarther I climbed, and when I broke through the canopy, I hauled myself onto the top of the pillar.

I let out a slow breath.

From up here, the maze unfolded in full, a twisting stretch of crumbling stone and forest. Pathways wove and split, some ending abruptly, others vanishing into the fog clinging closer to the ground below. Gargoyle statues dotted the pillars near every major intersection, as if congratulating anyone foolish enough to enter the maze for making it that far.

Beyond the maze, a vast, shifting expanse of clouds stretched like a moat around the castle. It looked terrifying. The only way across was with the tokens. My fingers found the leather pouch at my waist, pressing against the metal disc inside. The merchant had sworn the magic in the tokens would let us walk as if the clouds were stone beneath our feet, but the thought of stepping into thin air made my stomach twist.

The castle itself rose like a mountain in the center, its hulking silhouette cutting through the mist. Iron spires speared into the sky from towers of blackened stone, their surfaces strangled by thick, gnarled vines. The only hint of color in the dark, ominous structure came from the stained-glass windows, shards of crimson and sapphire, catching the sunlight.

We were closer to the moat than I expected, probably eight hundred feet by line of sight. If only we could leap across the tops of the maze, but there was no clear path from above.

I studied the turns, mapping the quickest route, then dug a charcoal stick out of my satchel and scribbled the path on the back of my arm. Assuming there weren’t any obstacles or collapsed sections, we could reach the clouds in ten, maybe twenty minutes.

We’d gotten lucky. Besides the bats and my little slip, there hadn’t been any trouble. Even the mist was a blessing, helping me breathe easier. We were so close to the shard. A week ago, I wouldn’t have believed it was possible. Then again, a week ago, I still wanted to shove Gavin off the vine.

My cheeks warmed at the memory of last night, and then this morning, before the snake ruined everything. Spoiling my moment like a trespasser with two fangs and bad timing.

I closed my eyes, feeling the phantom press of Gavin's mouth on my skin. The rough slide of his hands, fingers digging into my hips.

That man was dangerous.

A sly smile curved my lips. I needed a new name for the map. Gavin always claimed he wanted more favorable landmarks. Now was the time.

How about… The Outpost of Reckless Impulses.

No. I could do better than that. I drummed my fingers on my belt.

The Shack of Ruined Restraint.

Closer…