49. Lower Grounds

The odds were overwhelming. They hadn’t stood a chance against these savages even with Emric at full strength, and without him, it was suicide. Any flicker of hope was swallowed by despair. Desperation took over as Jayden and Swan made a break for the boat. But as they reached it, they discovered it was wedged beneath a thick sheet of ice that choked the frozen river. The ice was slippery, treacherous—walking across it would only risk broken bones, or worse, falling through into the freezing waters below. Jayden’s eyes darted around frantically, scanning for any sign of salvation. His heart sank as he glanced at Emric, unconscious and growing heavier on his shoulders. “We’re out of time,” he muttered under his breath, his voice heavy with panic. Then he saw Swan. She wasn’t panicking. Instead, she stood utterly still, her hands cupped together as if cradling something precious. Her lips moved quickly, forming silent words Jayden couldn’t hear. Suddenly, she snapped her hands apart, and