"Again"
"if you can still breathe means you can still move"
A grunt tore from Kealor's throat as the rope bit into his torn flesh. Sweat licked the wound, stinging worse than salt air. His vision swarmed, the spiked rocks below blurring as dawn bled across the training grounds. One slip and it was over.
He pulled.
Somewhere behind him, Lucian cursed under his breath, muttering words only he could hear, some of the time going silent which was worse than the cursing. Nirro was silent, only the visible frown and occasional lip twitch that gave away his emotions.
Kealor's arms shook. He caught a glimpse of Lucian out of the corner of his eye—too still, bruises dark against pale skin, eyes darting like he was listening for something none of them could hear. Lucian hadn't touched breakfast. None of them had. Ryven's orders had a way of killing hunger.
The rope slipped an inch. Kealor gritted his teeth and hauled himself up again.
_____
The smells of herbs and cold stone wafted through the air pulling Sapphire out his slumber, His eyelids felt like stone, but the blurry shapes sharpened into the healer's bay.
He sat up too fast. Head pounding. Black dots swam across his vision, and a hand grabbed his shoulder, shoving him back down.
Sapphire's hollow eyes met a pale-faced Nirro. Seeing him, Sapphire relaxed, sinking back against the pillow Nirro had just adjusted. He managed a small smile in thanks.
"You shouldn't move too fast, Sapph. Famir said if you tear those stitches, flowers will be your bed. I didn't understand what he meant but he looked serious" Kealor said, voice too cheerful.
Sapphire looked around. No Famir. Just Nirro, Kealor, and Lucian. Nirro didn't speak, face like stone, but his bandaged hands and tired posture said enough. Kealor's smile was forced, scrapes and blood-coated sleeves ruining the act. Lucian hadn't moved, slumped in the corner, arms on his knees, bruises ugly against his skin. He hadn't said a word since they got here.
"How are you guys?" Sapphire asked,
"I don't know why I am asking this while already seeing you like this but still,"
"We are okay, still lively and kicking," Kealor said.
Who was he lying to?
A low growl rumbled from Kealor's stomach in protest. Everyone turned to look at him.
"And hungry" Sapphire said, earning him a laugh, chuckle and a smile, Kealor hugged his stomach, embarrassed.
The moment died fast. Worry crept back into Sapphire's face.
"And Kira?"
"Has she been released?" he asked. Hope tangled in his voice.
The question struck hard. The kind none of them wanted to answer.
Kealor's facade cracked.
Lucian turned his head away.
Nirro's eyes dropped.
_____
Cold first. Then pain.
Desert in her throat, void in her stomach. The air smelled of copper and wet dust.
Kira had lost track of time. In the darkness, day and night were the same. The crevice walls pressed in on both sides, jagged and wet. Above her, the only light was a thin, pale strip of sky. Too far. Too small.
The last heat in her body escaped through cracked lips as vapor. Her eyelids struggled to stay open. The world kept shifting, tilting under her.
How long had it been? She didn't know. Only the occasional drip echoed against the stone. She tried to move, but her body didn't listen. Her ribs screamed with every breath. Her legs were swollen, numb, heavy—refusing her mind.
Hallucinations were setting in. Shadows danced, twisting into shapes and figures. When she tried to focus, sharp pain shot through her skull.
_Crunch._
She froze.
Kira knew what she'd heard. Her ears weren't playing tricks. She turned her head toward the sound.
Among the shadows, one didn't shift. It came forward slowly, gaining arms, then legs.
She pushed herself upright, still telling herself it was dehydration, a trick of the mind. She blinked. The shadow didn't vanish. It was closer each time her eyes opened.
As it approached, the space around it grew darker, swallowing the faint light. By the time she opened her eyes again,
there was nothing.
Just cold hands across her face.
Her breath hitched.
She didn't have time to panic before consciousness slipped away.
The last thing she felt was her body being carried.
_____
Silence stretched thin.
Sapphire stared at the three of them, trying to read what wasn't said. From their faces, it wasn't good.
Kealor looked between Nirro and Lucian before his eyes fell back on Sapphire.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He closed it again.
He couldn't explain it. He didn't know how.
"Why aren't you saying anything? What's wrong?" Sapphire said. His stomach twisted at the way they were acting, but he pressed for an answer.
Kealor opened his mouth once more. Nirro didn't bother. Lucian still hadn't looked up.
"Kira, she… she…" Kealor struggled to speak.
Lucian's low, dead voice cut through as he turned his head to face Sapphire.
"She's missing."