“I know.” Colli smiled. “I’m glad you can do it. We’re here.” The engine softened, then hummed to silence.
As Colli knew it would be, the strong spires of the metal fence were securely fastened. When she touched them, a surge of power knocked her back. she fought against her body to keep her breathing even.
Evil laughter bubbled from the forest on the far side of the barrier.
“Now.” Colli called to Mary, before she stepped up to the gate. “What do you want?” She held up the ring. “This?” Colli moved down the fence, away from the gate.
“Mine.” A sharp bolt of power arched from deep in the forest. Aimed at Colli, it bounced off when she put her hand over her head.
“You forgot the power.” She laughed.
Wind grew with a bitter howl. “No.”
A nearby tree uprooted, and fell in Colli’s direction. It lodged on the fence. Sparks from the contact ignited the leafy branches. Smoke billowed and twirled around her. It added to the ache in her lungs that hadn’t eased since she’d left her friend behind in the burned out basement.
“Ha. I’ll show you.”
“What are you afraid of?” Colli screamed over the pain that grew in her throat. Hurry, Mary. Colli made the wish. She wasn’t sure how long she could maintain the façade she fought to promote.
“Steady.” Keleon stood beside her, adding his support.
“I suppose you think that will do any good.” A form materialized on the other side of the barrier. Curly blond hair framed strong features and crystal blue eyes. He would have been considered handsome by any standard, but for the evil that contorted his face.
Colli dug her fingers into Keleon’s arm.
“Now.” Mary called, as the gate swung outward.
Colli and Keleon turned and ran for the opening. Wind picked up, whipping around them. The gate slammed closed with a sharp metallic clatter, but not before they passed through.
“We’ve got to get into the complex.” Keleon yelled over the whistling gale.
“Mary. Stay close.” Colli pulled away from Keleon. “Keep behind us,” she called to him, as she pulled Mary with her toward the tall stone structure that peeked through heavy vegetation.
The snap and crackle of falling branches assaulted the forest’s floor all around her. This only incited Colli to move faster.
Beside her Mary screamed. A heavy weight pulled Colli up short. When she turned she found Mary lying on the ground, a leafy branch protruding from her right thigh.
Mary pulled, with bloodied hands, at the wooden spike.
Keleon knelt beside her. “Go. I’ll stay with her.”
Colli nodded. She didn’t like it, but there what choice did she have?
Instead of taking the shiny stone path, that twisted before her, Colli cut through the forest. A soft carpet of twigs and other plant refuse crunched softly under her feet.
Skad has to know what I’m up to. Colli bent over and continued as quickly as she could force her legs to move. Torrential rain pelted her with a drumming force that added a push to keep her going.
“Give me the ring and I’ll let you all go.” Skad’s voice boomed with the thunder that accompanied a flash of lightning.