Page 262 of Burn Her They Said
Why can’t I hear Cirrin’s distinct way of reminding us of our duty?
Where in the fuck is she, and what in every God’s name is happening?
Pain radiates through my lungs, filling with smoke and ash. With a strange tang of burnt wood coating my tongue.
But I don’t feel any heat. If anything, it’s colder—like the evening chill drifting in from above.
Where is Tasch?
White. My vision shifts to a blinding white light.
Where in the fuck is Tasch?
A piercing ring bleeds into my eardrums, and my lungs ache so much I can barely breathe in, much less out.
Strong hands grab my arms and launch me backward. Cirrin’s fresh botanical scent hits my nose as we fall, indicating who my savior is.
Pounding pain shoots up my hip from the impact as small shards of rock or stone rain down on us.
But how?—
No.
The fabric of my mask pulls in, then billows out as it puffs with the panic of what’s happening.
Fuck. Was I in some sort of trance? Because Tasch was there, then all I knew was Sal. All I can remember is sending my magic up to torment the fucking snatcher for what he did to?—
Tasch. Where is my Tasch?
My magic thrums—building and growing into the strongest sphere I can muster—needing to cover and protect her. But I can’t fucking see where she is, and I need to know where to cast the shield.
Fuck.
She’s gone.
I lost her. I fucked up. I didn’t protect her.
I’m failing her, just as badly as I failed them then.
I blink, trying to see anything but the memories invading.
No.
Shaking my head does nothing, so I open my mouth to scream—to call out for Cirrin—but no sound emits.
I’m completely fucking useless if I can’t see her.
Why did they appoint me as her Lead Guard when I can’t protect her unless she is within my line of sight? But that’s my fault. My failure.
A silent scream tears from the very center of my being as every worry and frustration tumbles from me.
“Come on, you fucking coward.”
Father. His deep, rumbling voice.
“Chin up. Eyes forward.”
“Yes, Elder.”
