CHAPTER SIXTEEN
VAYEN
Iheld out my hand, palm up, extending towards the Threshold.
As I neared, the foggy veil unfurled wisps of energy, twirling around my fingers.
I hardly sensed its chill anymore, though I imagined touching a spirit might evoke a similar sensation.
I had crossed the Threshold more times than I could count.
The ironbark forest cradling the gloom was no stranger to me, nor was the wall of fog, and yet I felt as though I was experiencing it all for the very first time.
Everything was different now, and there was no going back.
“Is it done?” I asked without turning my head.
Berig, who hadn’t yet made himself known, stepped to my side. He flashed a now-empty vial that had once been the home of thick, grey sludge.
“We’ll hafta thank Catrin for that one.” He pocketed the vial in his cloak.
“Indeed,” I said with a deep inhale. I withdrew from the fog and it curled back into itself.
“Are you worried?” Winnie clasped my shoulder with a reassuring squeeze.
“I wish I could do more.”
“You’ve done enough,” Berig insisted. “They would’a caught her halfway to the wall if it weren’t for yer quick thinkin’.”
Winnie released my shoulder and began preparing our bags for travel. “Where to now?”
“You go on ahead.”
Berig and Winnie shared one of their looks, but my tone left no room for disagreement.
“I won’t help her cross,” I assured them. “I only want to see how she handles the Soran.”
“If the girl’s as special as you claim, I’m sure it’ll be memorable.” Winnie tossed a large leather bag over to Berig before shouldering two of her own.
They would never know how special she was. I could never let anyone find out. Depths, I wish I didn’t know myself. This whole ordeal was complex enough without—
“We’ll be off, then,” Berig said, interrupting my thoughts. He lowered his head my way, bushy blonde eyebrows indenting. “Don’ do anythin’ stupid, y’hear?”
“I won’t,” I said with a sigh that heaved my entire chest. “The rest is up to her.”