Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Nadia eyed her. Had she been watching mafia movies again? “It’s possible, right?”
Bussy pulled over, her headlights beaming toward Solomon and Isaac. “I don’t like the sound of that, but I guess it’s a possibility?” She turned and reached back for Nadia’s hand. “The good news is that since you’re with Isaac on this challenge, he has to make sure you return alive.” She winced. “Although, he seems like a decent guy to me. My money is on Luca as the wolf playing dirty. He is the only one who wasn’t poisoned by the tea.”
Nadia held her friend’s hand, feeling grounded for the first time all day. “True, but he didn’t harm me if he was the one who put poison in those cups.”
“Taryn wasn’t here yet,” Margaret reminded her. “So you were the only option for mating.”
Oh. Crap. “Where is Luca now?” Nadia whispered.
“He’s on a quest with Taryn,” Margaret said. “So you’re safe for now, if he is the bad guy here.”
Nadia squinted to see the dusky night. “Where’s Caidrik?” Hopefully somewhere close. She’d never forget how he rushed into that mine tunnel to save her.
“On one of his challenges.” Bussy blanched. “He can’t be here and involved in the trials of others, even if you are required to be here, Nadia. I’m sorry.”
Dread slithered through Nadia. “That’s okay. I can take care of myself.” She released Bussy’s hand.
Margaret leaned forward, squinting through the windshield. “Well. That looks murky.”
Nadia stayed where she was, hands tucked under her legs, letting the warmth soak in for one more second. Outside, snow whipped sideways, rattling against the glass. The sound of water carried to her, even through the windstorm.
“This is it,” Bussy said. “The bridge should be just down there. Do you want us to come with you to meet Solomon?”
“No. Please stay in here where it’s warm.” Nadia opened the door. The cold hit her and went straight through her coat. She sucked in a breath that burned. Her lungs hadn’t completely healed from the mining accident earlier, and she kept coughing out slate particles. She jumped out of the Jeep, and her boots slipped on the ice. Regaining her balance, she shut the door to keep the ladies warm.
Bussy rolled down her window. “Don’t rush.”
Margaret leaned over her sister. “You can do this. I know it.”
Nadia snorted once and walked into the light cast by the Jeep’s headlights, slogging through the snow until she reached a cliff.
Isaac stood near the edge with his shoulders hunched, staring at a barely there bridge that extended into nowhere. Snow had settled into his hair and the seams of his jacket.
“Hey,” she said.
He startled slightly, his hair looking more red than brown in the dimming light. “Hey.”
They stood side by side and surveyed the danger.
The bridge was nothing more than two ropes for handrails and a series of narrow boards strung as steps, some warped, some slick with ice. It stretched out over a churning river far below, white water smashing against rocks with a sound that never stopped. Mist rose from the river, freezing almost as soon as the water hit the air.
Solomon held the grimoire and shook his head. “I wish you wouldn’t have chosen this one.”
“It was a blind draw,” Nadia retorted.
Solomon inclined his head. “Your task is simple in instruction, not execution. You will cross together. On the far side, against the mountain face, you will find a slate deposit. You must chip a wolf form from it, which is easier than you think, because of the way the slate is set into the rock wall.”
“With what tools?” Isaac asked.
Solomon’s mouth twitched as he reached into his pocket. “You actually had to ask for these, according to the law.” He handed a chisel and a small stone hammer to Isaac, who shoved them in his pocket.
Nadia frowned. “And the bridge?”
“Is the bridge,” Solomon said. “You may cross however you choose. One at a time or together. But you both must reach the other side, and Isaac, you must protect Nadia. Much better than Bulwark did.”
The wind surged, rocking the bridge hard enough that the boards knocked against one another. Nadia watched it sway and felt her pulse kick up.
“Any questions?” Solomon asked.
“Yes,” Nadia said. “Does anyone ever die crossing this bridge?”
Solomon eyed the swaying contraption. “To be honest, we don’t let people use it. The kids try once in a while, but we keep the area cut off.”
Isaac let out a slow breath. “Good to know.”
Solomon stepped back. “The slate on the other side is supposed to be magical.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure I believe in that kind of thing, but since you can get slate shards in the shape of a wolf, I guess it might be true. We’ll see. Be careful, and we’ll see you back at the lodge.”