Elio clings to my hips, but his injured arm is weaker. I pull the reins.
?How are you feeling??
Lyn steps onto the return path.
?Dizzy.? His cheek rests against my back.
I place a hand over his.
?Don’t worry. I’ve got you.?
Gaia unties her horse, mounts, and leads us down the trail. I let Serena go ahead, then tap Lyn’s coat lightly and set him to a trot. Elio pants.
I hate to bother him, but I can’t wait.
?Elio, I need to ask you something.?
He groans.
?Please. Make them quick. And easy.?
That depended on him.
?Why did all the Torments swarm you? What happened??
He groans louder.
?If you’d asked me the meaning of the universe, it would’ve been easier to answer.?
Gaia chuckles, already several yards ahead.
?Mina, do you really have to give him hell right now??
?I don’t know how long he’ll stay lucid,? I tighten the reins as Lyn takes the descent. ?I don’t need theories. Just facts.?
Elio mutters again.
?It wasn’t my fault! All of a sudden the… the pouch lit up and they all jumped me.?
When I saw it, I felt Elena’s soul inside. My stomach tightens. I clench the reins.
?Elio. What’s in that pouch??
He goes silent. Then his hand grips my shirt.
?It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just don’t want to risk it…?
It must be something precious. But that doesn’t matter. It’s obvious Elio is here for the same mission as me—at Elena’s request. And I can’t blame him for keeping secrets. I nod.
?What were you doing when it lit up??
Gaia bursts out of the forest and breaks into a gallop across the fields.
Another groan.
?Nothing! I was… thinking about Elena.?
Lyn crosses a gurgling stream.
Thinking about her, and the pouch carrying her soul lit up.
?Do you miss her??
He exhales.
?I was wondering why she sent me here…?
The sun filters through the branches, and Lyn’s coat begins to shine.
?I get it. If it helps… Elena left without an explanation. I don’t know what she expects me to do either. Do what feels right. And when you’re healed, I’ll teach you how to defend yourself.?
He murmurs, relieved, and holds on tighter.
?Thank you, Mina.?
I smile.
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My muscles ache. I feel the need to lie down. I toss the rabbit bone into the fire and lift my eyes to the star-filled sky. They seem impossibly distant. I lace my fingers behind my head and let myself fall onto the frozen grass, the fire’s warmth prickling my legs.
A few giggles reach me.
Elio shifts closer.
?Relaxing??
One eyebrow raised. I know where this is going.
?Let me guess. You’ve got questions.?
Elio grins.
?Long ones.?
As if that could bother me.
?Go on.?
?Who is Anxietas??
Every time I hear that name, my stomach drops. Right. I only hinted at it earlier.
?He’s the ruler of the Dark Realm. The place where you were born—and came from.?
Elio frowns, eyes wide.
?You mean there’s an entire kingdom inside the rift and I never noticed??
I smile and nod.
?Yes. And it’s not that you missed it. The realm is pure darkness. There’s nothing there.?
Gaia watches me with narrowed eyes. I stiffen.
?Why would Elena talk to you about the Dark Realm? Don’t tell me she was planning to conquer it.?
My stomach tightens. Lately, Gaia has been sharper than usual. I sit up.
?Do you need a reason to ask questions? Elena is the only one who’s ever been there.?
Gaia raises an eyebrow and stares into the fire, focused.
Does she know something? No. No one could have told her.
Serena feeds her leftovers to the flames and looks at Elio.
?It makes sense that there’s nothing there. Torments don’t need anything.?
?And he’s never been seen either,? Gaia adds, her tone strange, cold.
?He commands them from afar. Them—and every other beast he controls.?
She’s upset. Because I mentioned the Dark Realm. My voice catches in my throat. Not now. When all this is over, I’ll tell her.
From the horse’s back, I untie the last blanket and tuck it under my arm. Serena spreads Elio’s blanket. I open the side bag on Lyn, reach inside the leather, grab the rough knot of rope, and pull it out.
I turn to Gaia—she’s already crouched by the fire, eyes open. Sander sits close to the flames, wrapped tight in his blanket.
I approach Elio. He looks at me, then at the rope, shoulders tensing.
?What do you need that for??
I take a deep breath.
?Around the second day, the infected part starts responding to Anxietas’ commands. When you sleep, there’s a chance you’ll lose control. So it’s better if I tie you up. I’ll be the anchor.?
Elio grips his sleeve.
?Okay.? His voice is strained.
I don’t like this. But in a few days it’ll be over.
?Lie down.?
Elio lies on the blanket and brings his wrists together as I loosen the rope. I kneel in front of him—and then—
A heavy breath brushes my ear.
I stop and scan the plain.
Another ragged breath.
A shadow moves in the night. Light footsteps. Two small, close-set lights fix on me.
I narrow my eyes.
A gasp behind me.
From the ground, the orange shield rises.
I stand, hold my breath, and reach for my sword.
The massive figure stops before Sander’s barrier and places a gray hand against it. Another heavy breath.
What a strange Torment.
Its gray hand begins to glow.
I tense.
It uses magic?!
I draw my sword.
Elio stands and moves behind me.
What is this pull?
I look up—the top of the dome is opening, a hole widening more and more.
In front of me, the Torment absorbs the barrier into its hands.