Page 66 of Facade

Escape.

This was my chance. No matter my muddled feelings toward him, it was now or never. The tingle turned into a low burn. I gritted my teeth and made a decision.

I quickly dismounted. Luna stood close, bumping against Shadow’s hindquarters with her nose. I shushed them both, scanning both ahead and behind. Then I peered over the short cliff side at the black water below. Jagged rocks were scattered, an open jaw waiting for its next meal. I drew a shaky breath at the intimidating drop as I searched for a path.

Between the cliff wall and the rocks was a tiny stretch of sand—enough for me to climb down.

I wasted no time.

After squatting to the ground, I scooted to the edge, ignoring the increasing burn in my wrists and ankles as I twisted onto my belly, and lowered myself down. My foot scraped against rock until it hit a small, sturdy ledge. I tested it, and when I was confident it would hold me, I put my full weight on it, shoving my fingers into the packed dirt above. Next, the other foot, searching for another sturdy ledge, the toe of my boot scraped against rock until it finally struck something solid. I groped blindly until my fingers caught in a small crack in the wall. Despite the frigid cold, sweat rolled down my temple as I repeated the process over and over again, all the while fighting the urge to look down. Don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t look down.

Icy mist sprayed over my exposed skin, the rock becoming slicker. I bit down on a cry of relief when the ground came into view.

Suddenly, the burn in my markings lit up, that familiar fire stealing my breath. My vision blackened from the pain long enough that when I opened my eyes, I was falling the remaining feet. Before a scream could escape, my back struck the ground. The impact ripped the air from my lungs. I lay there, gasping, until I was finally able to gulp in a huge breath of air. My lungs expanded, resulting in a coughing fit that had me rolling over to all fours until I could breath again.

The burn ebbed—my pulse kicked hard in response.

Aiden was coming back.

On my hands and knees, I crawled a few paces, then stood on shaky limbs, my back screaming from the fall. Frigid waves crashed against my legs, slicing across my skin like ice shards.

Little pools of water rippled between the jagged rocks.

Sludging through the water, I quickly threw myself down in front of one—then hesitated. Maybe I shouldn’t have done this. It wasn’t too late. I could come up with some bullshit excuse as to how I ended up down here. If this doesn’t work, if the water doesn’t ease the burning, I’m screwed. It’d be over. Aiden wouldn’t let a second attempt go unpunished. Then again, when would this chance happen again? With fierce determination, I plunged my wrists deep into the numbing water. A moment passed with no change. Nausea clawed up my throat as pain mixed with panic—then the burn eased. My ankles still burned fiercely, but it was a small victory. A smile spread regardless, a laugh escaping. It could work. I could do this. I’d only need to keep snow and ice handy until I found a witch.

I pulled my hands out, shaking off the excess water, scanning my surroundings as the pain increased again.

The narrow beach stretched further north, devoured by darkness. I didn’t care. I’d come this far.

I ran, stumbling through loose sand, lungs burning as I pumped my arms harder and harder.

Then I saw it—a cave.

A roar erupted, sounding far off yet right on top of me. My blood raged, pulse hammering in my ears as I pushed myself faster, shucking my jacket so I could pump my arms harder.

Something snapped above me—

A shadow passed over the rocks—I was slammed face-first into the sand.

In a fluid motion, I rolled to my back and snatched the dagger from my boot, gritting through the pain, just as my attacker pinned me.

Furious eyes locked onto me—Aiden. I swallowed dryly, my gaze flicking to the dagger at his throat.

“Going somewhere?” he snarled.

I kicked and pushed, but he anchored me to the ground with his body.

“Let me go!” I growled, the guttural sound bouncing off the rocks. The waves seemed distant as my heartbeat thundered. Brackish blood was speckled over his bare chest, the foul smell mixing with his scent.

“Are you going to slice my throat, Evanee? Is that what you want?” His voice knocked down an octave, eyes flaring. Anger simmered—but something else burned beneath it. “I like a good chase.” His eyes hooded, bottom lip going between his teeth. “It’s why I held back—to give you a head start.”

Breath snagged in my throat as his weight pinned me, heat bleeding into my skin despite the cold, wet sand beneath. My gaze dragged down to that dagger, still pressed to his jugular, then slowly back to his.

“Get off me,” I said with less fervor.

He swallowed, the dagger jostling from the movement.

“I would never hurt you, Evanee. I would never let anything, or anyone hurt you.” My name was honey on his tongue.