My heart leaps into my throat. The light of my soul goes out. I can’t feel her anymore.

  Why did all the Torments go after him?

  Why did I feel her again?

  Serena goes pale and nocks an arrow. It doesn’t matter now Elio’s been hit. I have to keep him from taking more damage.

  The arrow whistles down the slope. Elio’s moans rise, then fade. I hope he took only one.

  There—at the bottom of the incline.

  A hiss.

  I spin, blade raised. A black arrow scrapes the steel and drops among the brambles. I look up. Between the pines, Gaia slices the last archer’s carotid.

  He’s in good hands.

  I sheath my blade.

  I slide down the slope and crouch beside Elio. He’s shaking, gasping. One arrow—left shoulder. My stomach knots. I need to get him to Serena. She’s the only one with the tools to pull it out.

  I snap the shaft and pull his arm around my neck.

  ?Hold on with your hand.?

  He looks at me with glassy eyes and nods. I lift his legs with my left arm and glance up the climb.

  ?It won’t take long. Don’t let go.?

  His ragged breath warms my neck as he nods again.

  I claw at the ground with my right hand and drive my feet into the slope. Thorns cling and tear. My legs grind and burn until the incline softens. A few more steps and I stop to catch my breath in the clearing.

  The hut’s shield is still up. We’ll deal with that later.

  I turn toward a pine with high branches. I grip Elio with both arms and lean his back against the resin-slick bark. He clutches his shoulder. Dark venom mixes with blood.

  I exhale and squeeze his hand. He squeezes back.

  I look over my shoulder. Serena breaks from the barrier and runs to Elio, kneeling beside him.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  ?Stay calm. Everything will be fine.?

  I let go and straighten.

  ?Can you lie down??

  As Elio lowers himself onto the dry needles with his good arm, I walk toward the barrier. I extend a finger and touch the cold surface.

  It isn’t dangerous.

  I press. It deforms and pushes me back.

  Gaia joins me.

  ?As soon as we get Sander, we run to Mirasogno.?

  I nod.

  A tousled little figure appears behind a small windowpane.

  There he is.

  I press both hands to the barrier.

  ?Sander, right? You can lower the barrier we don’t want to hurt you!?

  The figure shakes his head and vanishes from the window.

  I sigh.

  He really likes hiding behind his powers. Little coward.

  Gaia drives her hand into the barrier.

  ?Interesting. I don’t think even you can break it.?

  I crack my neck. Not a bad idea. Let’s see what this shield can do.

  I draw back a fist and slam it forward. The barrier absorbs it, then throws it back. I stagger.

  How much pressure can it take?

  I plant both hands and push. My feet slide for a second but I hold. Sparks flicker around my fingers.

  Something slams into me.

  My stomach flips. I can’t move. My body is wracked by a violent tingling and I’m airborne then crashing down onto pine needles.

  ?Mina!? Serena screams.

  My soul pounds so hard I can’t breathe. My hand shakes too much to hold anything.

  Gaia drops to her knees in front of me.

  ?Mina! Can you hear me?!?

  The tremor eases. I manage a small breath. I want to answer, but my throat won’t move. Gaia presses two fingers to my neck.

  My chest slows. I draw air again. My throat scrapes.

  ?I’m fine.?

  Gaia exhales.

  ?Are you sure? What do you feel??

  I open and close my hand. Press it to the ground. I lift myself onto trembling elbows.

  I’ve never felt this weak.

  ?I don’t know… but… it’s awful.?

  Gaia hauls me up. My legs quiver.

  She looks at me, grinning.

  ?Well, we found the one thing that can knock you flat. I’ll make a note of that.?

  I smile weakly.

  ?Please. At least you have mercy on me.?

  She lifts me by the hips and guides me toward Serena. She’s the best one to earn the kid’s trust.

  Serena finishes tying the bandage around Elio’s shoulder, then comes to me and checks my neck.

  ?What hit you??

  ?I don’t know… but it was that barrier. It’d be better if… if you convince him to lower it.?

  Serena nods.

  ?I’ll handle it. You rest. Tell me if you feel worse.?

  As Gaia lowers me to the ground, Elio props himself up on his good arm.

  ?Sere! I can help! He knows me.?

  Serena stops and reaches for him.

  ?The less you move, the less the poison spreads.?

  Elio pales.

  ?Poison?!?

  Better not let him panic.

  I turn my head.

  ?You’ve got a nasty problem, but we’ll take you to someone who can cure you in time.?

  My throat burns. Water would be nice.

  ?And if that doesn’t happen…?! Wh-what will happen to me??

  I pant and glance at Gaia. I reach a heavy hand to my side and grab the leather flask. Gaia smiles at Elio.

  ?Trust us. You don’t want to know.?

  Elio hunches his shoulders, trembling.

  ?Please, you’re scaring me!?

  I won’t be able to untangle this gently.

  I look at Elio and draw a breath.

  ?You’ll become one of them…?

  He stares at me.

  ?…and I’ll have to kill you.?

  His eyes widen. His face drains of color.