Chapter 10
As she sat in the back seat of the Jeep climbing the mountain, Nadia’s face still ached, even though she’d put ice on her cheek earlier. So far, nobody had found Bulwark. She wanted to be a nice wolf, but having him be dead wasn’t a terrible thing. Even so, who had set those charges?
Bussy glanced back from the driver’s seat. “Are you warm enough, dear?”
“Yes.” As warm as she could be, considering she was being sent on another dangerous quest. “Did you hear anything more about the explosives?”
Margaret turned to partially face her from the front passenger seat.
Snow pelted the front window and was swept away by the windshield wipers.
“Just that the saboteur used normal mining explosives that we keep on hand in several places.” She shrugged.
“I’m not surprised one of the challengers tried to kill Bulwark, but you’re supposed to stay safe. This doesn’t make sense.”
Nadia swallowed. “It might make sense. I feel like Isaac wants to mate with Taryn. Luca might be interested in her, as well. She’s very…tall.” And beautiful. According to Caidrik, Taryn was intelligent to boot. Whatever.
Margaret gasped. “You don’t think one of them actually tried to take you out of play?”
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.”
Nadia jerked. “You’re not waiting here for us?”
“No. Shift into wolf form when you’re back and run together.
” Solomon smiled. “I missed that part in the earlier translations and just figured it out today. You’re supposed to be in wolf form together during some part of each challenge.
Probably just to make sure your spirits are aligned.
Maybe?” He turned and walked away, boots crunching over snow, already losing interest.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The river roared below them, the sound filling every gap in thought. Snow dusted the boards, and the ropes creaked under the wind.
Isaac broke the silence, his blue eyes burning through the dusk. “I’ll go first and test it?”
“Okay. I’ll be right behind you the entire time.”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Stay close.” He stepped carefully onto the bridge.
Nadia said a quiet prayer and followed him. The boards dipped immediately, the whole structure swaying as if offended by their weight. Her fingers tightened around the ropes, her gloves already damp. The cold cut straight through them.
“Eyes forward,” Isaac said quietly. “Not down.”
“I know,” she muttered. “I really know.”
They moved one step at a time, syncing their pace without talking about it. The wind shoved at them, hard enough that Nadia had to lean into the rope to keep her balance. Below, the river smashed through a narrow chute, foam glowing faintly in the dying light.
Halfway across, the bridge lurched.
Nadia gasped as one board shifted under her boot, tilting sharply. Her heart slammed into her throat.
“I’ve got you,” Isaac said instantly, turning back.
His hand closed around her wrist, firm and steady. He planted his feet wide, absorbing the movement until the bridge settled into a slower sway. “Okay,” he said. “You’re good. Take a breath.”
She sucked in air. “Thank you.”
He turned and picked his way gingerly forward. Snow thickened as they went, flakes sticking to their lashes, melting against their skin. Nadia’s arms burned from gripping the ropes. Her shoulders ached from fighting the wind.
“How are you doing?” Isaac called back, his voice faint in the blowing wind.
“Still alive,” she said. “Ask me again in a minute.”
He huffed a quiet laugh. “Fair.”
They reached the far side just as the light dropped another notch and shadows took over the world. Nadia stepped off the bridge and nearly sagged with relief, her legs trembling.
Isaac stayed close until both of them were on solid rock.
“Okay,” he said. “No dying so far.”
She glanced back at the bridge. It swayed emptily behind them, the boards knocking together like teeth. “Let’s not tempt fate by admiring it.”
The slate deposit sat against the mountain wall, a dark, glossy sheet half-buried in snow. It shimmered faintly, almost like it was holding onto the last of the light. Okay, it might be magical.
“There,” Isaac said. “That’s got to be it.” He brushed snow away with his fingers and pulled the tools out of his pocket. “This is the shiniest slate I’ve ever seen.”
“I know,” Nadia whispered, happy her feet were on solid ground again. Icy, snowy ground, but good enough. She tilted her head and looked up the sheer rock wall. “We must be halfway up the mountain?” She’d love to see it in the daylight.
Isaac crouched, studying the slate. “It seems like it. This slate is curved. Can you see that?” His voice turned thoughtful.
She crouched to better see the striations in the rock. “Yeah.” They looked like they were moving, and she could see shapes. “There’s a wolf.”
He peered closer. “Cool.” As he began to chip at the slate, the sound rang sharp and bright, echoing off the stone walls. Nadia positioned herself beside him, one shoulder pressed to the rock, eyes flicking between his work and the bridge behind them.
The wind howled, carrying the smell of water and snow. Her fingers were numb now, aching deeply, but she stayed still.
“I’m sorry about the tunnel collapse earlier,” he said, working away. “I didn’t set those explosives.”
She studied him. That sounded like the truth, but she didn’t really know the guy. “Okay.”
“Not my style.” He leaned closer to the rock.
She wanted to believe him. He was the guy who’d been modern enough to deny the trophy and apologize on behalf of all males. “If it wasn’t you, and it wasn’t Caidrik—considering he rescued me—that leaves Luca.”
“Maybe. It could be anyone from the pack. You can’t tell me everyone liked discovering Philip Nightsom’s unknown daughter.”
Huh. That was a point she hadn’t considered. “Everyone has been so nice.”
“Humph.” The wolf shape slowly emerged from the slate, sharp lines forming under Isaac’s careful strikes.
The stone resisted, then yielded, glowing faintly where it broke free.
“Plus, don’t discard Caidrik so easily just because he saved you.
Maybe he had a plan to kill his brother and then rescue you.
As a strategy, it wasn’t bad.” Isaac leaned back, breathing hard. “Done.”
Nadia looked at the wolf, rough but unmistakable, carved from living stone. She felt something settle in her chest. “Wow,” she whispered softly. “That’s beautiful.”
Isaac turned to face her, still crouching.
“So are you. I know I said I wanted a tall female, and Taryn fits that requirement, but I feel like I was too hasty with you. You have gumption, and I like that. I’d never force anyone to mate with me, but when I become the Alpha of the pack, would you consider allowing me to court you? ”
“And Taryn?” Nadia drawled, her lips too cold to smile.
“Of course.” Isaac stood.
She liked the logical side of him. Heck. He was all logic. “I see.”
He cleared his throat. “However, just to be fair, I need a true Alpha female. One who can protect the pack, and I have doubts that you have the skills needed.”
Ouch. “I’m a great planner and organizer,” she murmured. Wait a second. Why was she trying to convince him of anything?
“I’m sure.” He nodded, his gaze serious. “Yet you don’t act like an Alpha. Taryn does. She knows her power.”
Was he talking himself out of courting her?
Not that she wanted to be courted, but still.
Did he have a point? “I wasn’t raised in the pack,” she murmured.
Plus, she did lack fighting skills. Perhaps that mattered more than she realized.
She’d have to think about it. Later. At home, in bed, once warm.
Reluctantly, she turned back toward the rapidly swaying bridge. “Ugh. I guess we’d better—”
A massive black wolf lunged down from above, smashing into them both.
Nadia screamed, falling toward the edge.
“Nadia!” Isaac leaped toward her, yanking her back to the wall. He shoved her behind him just as the wolf hit him again, propelling him toward the edge. He went over, claws extending from his fingers as he started to shift.
Nadia reached for him, grasping his wrist as it turned into a paw. She pulled as hard as she could to help him reach safety.
The wolf smashed into her, pain exploded in her shoulders, and she rolled to the side, her head hanging over the edge. Scrambling, she reached for Isaac again, but he was falling. Eyes wide, snout up, he howled as he dropped far down to hit the water.
Nadia called out his name, searching for any sign of him in the churning current. Tears filled her eyes and she partially turned to see the wolf straighten into Bulwark’s human form. She crab walked to the side, eyeing the edge. “What are you doing?”
Bruises mottled the side of Bulwark’s face. “Dealing with two problems at once.”
She fought a whimper. He was so much bigger than her, and even standing nude in the swirling snow, looked dangerous. “I didn’t blow up the tunnels.”
“I know. My guess is that Caidrik did it.” Bulwark smiled, looking deadly. “It was a smart move, really. Kill me, save you, be a hero. The guy thinks I’m dead.”
She sucked in a breath. Was there any way Isaac survived that fall? “What now?”
Bulwark reached for her arms and dragged her up. “Now you follow that red-headed moron.”
She struggled in his grasp but couldn’t free herself. “Why? I thought you wanted to be the Alpha.”
“I do, but Taryn is a much better mate for me. Plus, killing you will destroy Caidrik. The guy has quite a hard-on for you. This’ll be such a nice flashback to when Carrie died.” With that, Bulwark threw her into the air.
Mist hit her face, cold and blinding—and then she was falling, the river rising to meet her.