Threads of Fate

Chapter 47 ~ Bonds Burned to Ash

    All around her was darkness. Numbing, overwhelming, total darkness. She could barely feel her own body, except for the crushing weight that kept her limbs from moving. Perhaps whatever it was would crush her too, or maybe this blistering heat would finish her off first. Tissaia forced her eyes open with a groan.

    Her head throbbed and her vision began to swim, but she managed to avoid fainting. She drew a deep breath, then burst out coughing as she inhaled only smoke. Her eyes flew wider as she realized the source of that blistering heat and the weight on her legs. They were in the burning stable, and that was a collapsed beam pinning her legs down!

    Tissaia rolled onto her side and flung her hand into the air, throwing an amethyst shield over herself, though she wasn't sure how long she'd be able to maintain it. She ripped the sleeve from her shirt and held it up to her nose. "Talarion!" She cried hoarsely. "Azael!" Flames crackled all around, drowning out her voice.

    She looked back at the beam on her legs, then lifted her gaze to the ceiling. It was already beginning to cave in. Attempting to move the beam could bury her under a pile of rubble, but remaining trapped beneath it would spell certain death.

    She had to get out. She had to find the others and make sure they were all right, and fast. Her head spun anew and her lungs burned as she tied her scrap of fabric around her face. It would be better if she could wet it somehow, but there would be no water in here.

    Tissaia braced her unbroken hand against the beam and threw her weight against it. It edged backwards with a groan, but her skin screamed as the wood tore at it. She gritted her teeth and pushed again. If she could shift it just far enough without the use of magic, she'd lessen the risk of the roof caving in.

    Flames licked at the edge of her shield and sweat dribbled down her face and back. Already, she sensed several holes appearing in the shield. She shoved at the beam once more, a shallow sob escaping her lips as pain erupted up her leg that had already been injured.

    She whipped her head around as wood groaned from another portion of the stable and debris came crashing down, her mind already convincing her it had just buried the others. There was still no sign of them amidst the leaping fire and billowing smoke.

    Tissaia glanced at her broken palm, then back at the beam. It would take too long to heal it now. She would have to make do. Tissaia clenched her jaw and shoved both hands against the beam this time. Agony scorched up through her arm, but the beam shifted further, freeing one of her legs.

    She drew it back and braced her foot on the wooden pillar as well. With one last thrust, her other leg was free too. Tissaia scrambled to her feet, then cried out as her leg failed beneath her and she went crashing back down. She threw her weight onto her less injured leg and crawled towards the first opening she saw.

    "Talarion! Azael!" She called again, choking on a cough. "Kahari! Vael!" Frantic tears stung at her eyes. She had to find them. She couldn't be the only one still alive! "Talarion! Azael!"

    She was praying now, to any god who was listening. Begging Durga not to claim their souls just yet. Begging Oriana to protect her Heir. Begging Mother Nepenthe for the chance to save them. And all but cursing Drenusha and Hadeon for the parts they had played in bringing them here.

    A few tears scalded Tissaia's cheeks, carving paths in the soot streaked on her face. If she couldn't find them, she was going to have to get herself out. She couldn't leave Kaius on his own. Someone had to try to help him. Gods only knew what her father would do to him to get what he wanted.

    "Please," she whispered. "Please don't let me be the only one left." She couldn't lose her brother and Azael too.

    Fire roared beside her and Tissaia threw her arms over her head with a gasp as something, a lamp she guessed, exploded. Shards of wood and glass pelted against her shield and a few passed through the holes in it, slicing into her flesh. But through the roaring flames, she managed to pick out a voice calling to her.