Inferno (Valos of Sonhadra Book 11) by Nancey Cummings

Author:Nancey Cummings [Cummings, Nancey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Menura Press
Published: 2018-07-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Mishal

Mishal ran in the direction of the cliff. He hated to leave his triad brother behind, but he could not risk their mate. Kira had vanished. The cold and the storm diminished his sight. He found Amber because his body always took note of her presence, but the other human with the pale hair was not to be found. His first task was to get Amber to safety, out of the reach of the creature, and then he could continue to search for Kira.

He found the cliff by nearly stumbling over the edge. “Hold fast to me,” he said, and arranged Amber to cling to his back with her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Careful of his handhold and his rapidly vanishing strength, he climbed down the cliff face. Ice covered the rocks, and his grip slipped, causing Amber to cry in alarm, but he did not fall. He would not fall with his mate depending on him.

He could not pinpoint when his regard for Amber shifted from mistrust to possessive need. He felt an attraction to her immediately, but his stubborn refusal to commit a broken triad to a mate held firm.

Or at least that’s the half-truth he told himself. The truth was, the moment he found himself alone with her, he surrendered. His heartstone did not beat in time with her heart—yet—but it would soon. Her confidence and willingness to do the difficult tasks for the good of her people appealed to him. He felt a possessive pride that the other humans regarded her as their leader.

His hand slipped, and he dropped a few inches before catching himself.

Mishal scolded himself for his careless thoughts. He could not afford to daydream. He needed to focus. No more slips. No more chances.

He focused on the energy in the rock under his hands. The cold had leached away the warmth in the material, but he infused a bit of his own energy. The ice melted and the rock smoothed itself out into an acceptable handhold. Carefully focusing on each handhold, he descended.

Once on the ground, he carefully set Amber down before his knees gave way. Too much of his energy had been spent on the climb down, but the alternative—plummeting to the ground—had been unacceptable.

“Mishal!” Amber knelt in the snow next to him. At the base of the cliff they were protected from the worst of the winds, but the snow fell heavily.

“We need to find a cave,” he said, forcing out each word.

“Cave. Okay.” She jumped to her feet and darted away.

“Not without me,” he tried to shout, voice lost in the storm. Crazy woman running away with no visibility and predators at large...

She returned moments later. Perhaps it was several minutes. He lost the ability to measure time. All that existed for him was the pulse of his heartstone.

“I found something. Come on.” She helped him to his feet, and they made their way to an opening in the cliff face.

“Wait.” Mishal leaned heavily against the opening, one hand splayed wide on the rock.

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