The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [126]
I said ‘work the lock’, not ‘sound the alarm’. Drayco sneezed as the old air flowed past.
You wanted in, Jarrod said, pulling off his glove to re-light the torch, risking a quick roughing of Drayco’s neck. Come on. Lead the way!
Rosette raced up another flight of steps—a particularly steep ascent. She sat down for a moment to catch her breath and get her bearings. She started to feel like she couldn’t do it. For all she knew, she was on the other side of the mountain. Sighing, she lightened her mind-shield just a touch and risked yet another call to Drayco. Tears welled up as she searched for him. She’d not been without his thoughts since the day she’d found him and the lack left her desolate. Was he even still alive?
I’m alive. What about you?
Drayco?
Who else!
Oh, baby cat, am I glad to hear your voice! Are you hurt? What about your head? Are you all right?
I’m fine now. Head’s clear. He paused for a moment. She’s here. Beneath us, I think.
What, Dray?
Maudi, are you able to run?
That’s all I’ve been doing since I can remember. Who are you talking to? Is Scylla there?
Not Scylla. She’s not so good. Sword wound. He’s here though. We’re both looking for you. We have to hurry. The Lupins are between us. Are they hunting for you? Have you upset them?
A little, I think. Not sure why. Rosette was up now, continuing the climb. Drayco, who’s ‘he’? Who’s with you? Is An’ Lawrence there? Are you actually talking to him?
The Sword Master is back at the cave. He’s wounded too. That mind magic rattled his brain. The temple cat paused. I’m telling her. Just hang on…Maudi?
Who are you talking to, Dray?
Jarrod says to say hello.
What?
Jarrod. Remember? I hope you do because he is cramming my mind with thoughts to send to you. I’ve narrowed it down to ‘hello’. The rest will have to wait.
Jarrod’s with you? Rosette whispered the name. How can that be?
Clipper ship, I suspect. Then the bright red horse.
What?
He travelled and now he’s here.
Are you sure it’s Jarrod?
I’m certain.
‘I don’t believe it,’ she whispered softly. ‘My Jarrod?’
You better hurry. The Lupins have spread out. They must be searching everywhere. Climb.
I am, but how…how can…when did…
You sound just like him now. Come on, Maudi. I think you’re in the tunnels below us and to the east. The Lupins are in between and also behind.
Are you sure?
Just guessing. Keep climbing up and west, up and west.
Where in the darkest demon’s balls is west?
The left hand of your stairs, facing up. Quickly. We’ll meet you at the top.
I’m coming! Rosette snapped her mind-shield into place and leapt up the steps. She heard howling again. It seemed a fair way off, but she pushed herself to run just the same. She summoned a final boost of magic to get her to the surface, and charged upwards until she thought her legs would give out.
The howls were getting closer.
She stopped to peer over the edge of the stairwell. A troop of Lupins was below, their torch lights fluttering like flags. She wrapped her coat around her waist and cinched the belt tighter. Cold air burned her lungs.
The surface couldn’t be far. It was getting colder; the air chilled the sweat that ran down her back.
Dray, the Lupins are right behind me.
Keep running. We’re at the entrance. Drayco’s voice stayed in her mind, urging her on.
Rosette’s strength drained more with every stride, her pace faltering as she continued the final climb. She leapt a jagged step and tripped, her head coming down hard on the rock floor. She didn’t get up.
I can’t wake her. Drayco rasped his tongue across her lidded eyes, nudging her with his head.
‘Let me see.’ Jarrod reached into his pocket, pulling out a small glass tube. He crushed it in the palm of his gloved hand and held it under her nose.
Rosette coughed, sat up and retched. ‘Drayco!’ She sank her hands into his fur and clutched him to her.
Get her up, Jarrod. We have to run.
‘Give me your hand,’ Jarrod said.
She looked at him blankly, her eyes fluttering shut again.