Page 125 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

A second later, Rabin attacked again, his jaws spread wide. She leaped into the tunnel, crashing to the floor as his entire jaw smashed into the bottom of the pool, destroying the map.

She lay on the ground, breathing heavily as she watched him continue to sniff around, searching her out. His large nostrils flared. He could smell her, but he couldn’t reach her. At least for now.

But she’d finally caught a lucky break. She stood on shaky legs and tugged on her socks and boots.

Rabin retreated and smashed into the floor again, aiming for the tunnel. Rocks fell around her as she tried to keep her balance. He couldn’t fit down here, but given enough time, he might find a way through.

She had to keep moving and find the seal.

Rabin snarled and let out a roar that shook everything around her.

Gods, how she wished she could reach him.

She wiped at the tears coating her cheeks and blew him a kiss.

She knew he wouldn’t understand, and maybe he would never know.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I’m sorry we might never get to say goodbye.”

Then she turned around and ran.

FORTY

After Row and Yasen acquired clothing and provisions, it didn’t take long before they found themselves at the base of the mountains. Yasen scanned the peaks dusted with white as a shiver skated down his back.

“This way,” Row said as they trudged down a path, their boots crunching in the snow.

Row hadn’t said much since they’d left the castle. He’d asked Urvi more about Asha, and she’d led him to the spot where she’d directed Zarya days earlier.

But the tower had been empty. Asha was gone. Yasen had watched Row’s face and the conflict in his eyes as he wrestled between tearing down the castle brick by brick to search for her or going after Zarya.

“You’re sure about this?” Yasen asked over the howling wind.

In the end, Row opted for Zarya. He hadn’t shared his reasons, but Yasen knew it hadn’t been an easy choice.

Row claimed he once had contact with the mountain clans and hoped they would remember him. He also hoped they could tell him where Abishek had taken Rabin and Zarya.

“Pretty sure,” Row shouted back. Then he muttered under his breath, “It’s been decades, of course, but hopefully, they’re still around.”

They continued walking for hours as the sun disappeared and the temperature dropped. Yasen couldn’t feel his fingers or toes, and the wind’s incessant screams howling in his ears were enough to drive even the sanest man to the edge of reason.

Just when he didn’t think he could take another step, a light appeared through the curtain of snow.

“This way!” Row shouted, the relief in his voice unmistakable. They approached a tall, wide cave, passing into what must have served as an antechamber. A large fire crackled in the center, and Yasen immediately strode over to warm his hands.

It took less than a minute before a line of men dressed in furs and leather filed out from a branching tunnel. They all held spears and swords aimed at Yasen and Row, each one turning up a vicious snarl.

Yasen and Row shared a cautious look as they slowly raised their hands to indicate they meant no harm.

“I’m here to see Catana,” Row said. “We were friends a long time ago.”

The mountain men regarded Row with a skeptical eye before he said something in a language that Yasen had never heard before. A moment later, their weapons lowered.

The man in front approached Row, and they spoke for another moment before he turned around and disappeared the way they’d come. The others remained, still watching but with less open hostility.

“What happened?” Yasen asked.

Row kept his focus on the men. “They’re bringing Catana and believed what I told them.”