Page 67 of Shadows of Light
“No, but I saw what he did to those immortals in the human realm. Iknowwhat he’s capable of, and he’s struggling to retain control, but the shadows can’t hurt me, and Coleneverwould. Theywillhurt you.”
“Are you so sure about the shadows?” Orin asked. “I think they’re starting to develop a mind of their own.”
“Then I’ll have to put them back in their place, butneitherof you is coming with me. Alina’s going to fly you both out of here. This is somethingColeand I have to do alone. You have to accept that.”
“I’m good with not having another ride on the dragon. I’ll walk,” Orin said.
Alina snorted. “Coward.”
“I’m okay with that.”
Brokk chuckled. “I’m okay with walking too.”
“Fine, but youareleaving,” Lexi said. “Alina will make sure of that, won’t you?”
“I will, my queen,” Alina replied.
Lexi wiggled her fingers at Brokk and Orin. “Happy walking.”
Orin rolled his eyes, but Brokk sighed and squeezed Lexi’s arm. “You’ll need light for in there.”
When Lexi lifted her hand, small flames flickered to life at her fingertips. “I bring the light with me now.”
“You always have. Good luck, sister of mine.”
Lexi smiled at him. “Thank you, brother. Iamgoing to bring him home.”
“I hope so,” Orin murmured.
CHAPTERFIFTY-THREE
Lexi restedher hand against the cool rock wall as she made her way into the cave. The glow from her fingertips barely lit the way, but she kept the fire to a bare minimum.
If Cole saw it before she made it to him, he might retreat further into the caves. Or he could think an enemy was coming and go on the defensive.
The last thing she needed was for him to think she was the enemy and attack before he realized it was her. She might never be able to save him then.
What if he doesn’t want to be saved?
That awful possibility niggled at the back of her mind like flies around a rotten piece of meat left out in the summer sun. But she didn’t let it stop her as she forged onward.
The deeper she traveled into the earth, the cooler and damper the air became. Her shirt cleaved to her body as the rocks beneath her fingers became increasingly damp from the moisture there.
She didn’t understand the source of all the moisture until she rounded a corner and came across a clear pool of mountain water. It took up almost all the walking space inside the cave, leaving only a small section of dry land for her to traverse.
She pressed her back against the wall as she crept around the pool’s edge. Halfway around it, she knelt, doused her flames, and dipped her fingers into the water.
Shivering, she pulled her hand away and shook off the drops of icy liquid before rising again. The pool looked deeper in the middle, and as she relit her fire, it flickered across the pristine surface.
This is where Cole has been bathing.
Picturing him in this dark place and bathing in this frigid water made her sadder. It was all so lonely and dark and awful down here. She had to make him leave.
With every step she took, her heart raced faster, and sweat beaded her nape. She wasn’t afraid of Cole; she was scared this would be her last chance to save him.
If she didn’t reach him now, she never would. One way or another, this would be the end of them or the beginning of their new life together.
She rounded the corner and stopped when she encountered what must have been the source of the crash. Rocks had fallen from the ceiling and walls to clog the cave and block her way.
