Page 130 of Cursebreaker

“There’s too many!” Titus hisses through gritted teeth. “The gates—can you see them now?”

I set my jaw, struggling to sip at the air as Emrys picks up speed. I scan the mountain below as Emrys begins to circle Samael, but I don’t even know what I’m looking for. We must have been wrong. The gates must be somewhere else. They could be near the Pearl, or somewhere in the jungles of Ember, or—

Emrys, I think, fly over Samael. I want to see what’s inside.

No sooner do I give the command than I hear the rough, gurgling growl of a wolfish creature, gaining on us.

“Don’t look back!” Titus shouts at me.

But I don’t need to see to know that Morana has given chase. She knew I would lead her to the gates—and I anticipated that she would follow.

“About that promise, my love?” Titus says. “I think you’re going to have to break it.”

I feel Titus shift, as if to stand. Emrys rises higher, nearing the lip of the volcano.

And I see it then—gold dust, shimmering near the opening—at the very moment the Stalker grabs hold of Titus.

Pop. Pop.

I scream, but the sound is lost to the wind as I look over my shoulder.

Titus didn’t fire at the Stalker. No. His shots landed in the wolfish creature’s flank. Morana roars as the creature screeches, its dark, webbed wings flapping wildly as it dives toward the canopy below.

The Stalker’s tentacles wrap around Titus’s throat, his wrists, squeezing tight. Titus drops the Howler, and the Stalker draws him close to its gaping jaws, toward the void of white light and teeth.

But then the Stalker drops him, and he falls.

Emrys dives into the mouth of the volcano, and I lose sight of Titus.

We plummet toward the bubbling, fiery pit. My vision shifts, and instead of molten liquid, I see a pool of glittering gold dust. But only for a second, and then all I see is lava.

The gates.

I plunge my hand into my pocket, grabbing hold of the Key. I pray to the Stars I’m not wrong—that my possession of the Key is enough to grant me passage through the gates. But there’s no time left to find out. Morana’s wolfish beast dives after us, its teeth bared, like shards of onyx gleaming in the firelight. I can’t be sure she won’t be able to follow—that whatever happens, it won’t open the gates wide enough that Morana can slip through.

Fly high, Emrys!

I swing my leg over the dragon’s neck, and without a moment’s hesitation, I jump.

My stomach slams into my throat, and I brace myself for the heat as I fall, tumbling toward the lava below.

I sink to the depths of a cool, clear pond. Tiny bubbles of shimmering pink and purple effervesce past my face as I open my eyes and kick, gliding toward the glittering beams of light breaking through the surface.

I pull myself onto the lush green bank, the soft grass so inviting I wish I could lie down and stay here awhile, but my heart slams into my rib cage.

The Key is gone.

So is the Helm.

I scramble to my feet, reaching for the hilt of the Sword, secured at my hip.

The Sword to vanquish the being that guards the passage between realms.

I draw the blade, blinking as I survey my surroundings, anticipating an attack.

But I stand alone in a clearing, pink blossoming trees swaying slightly in the gentle breeze. Petals fall at my feet, littering the plush carpet of grass, the scent of peppermints easing the knot in my chest. In front of me, wedged between two trees, a set of double doors, the pale wood banded with straps of elaborate ironwork, depicting scenes of flowers and stars and winged beings.

I lift my foot, as if to take a step, when the ground quakes, and an earthen figure rises from out of the grass, blocking my path.