章 28: Getting Back
Chapter - 28
Retrieving the tag from the Quorvath's corpse wasn't as difficult as I'd anticipated, though the trek took longer than expected. After scouting for a bit, I managed to find a narrow, winding path leading down. My entire right side throbbed from the scrapes I'd endured when I slammed into the cliff side, but I volunteered anyway, glancing back to see Cassia tending to Jennifer, who was still unconscious and sprawled awkwardly against a rock.
The descent was tiring, and the terrain unforgiving. Every now and then, a sharp twinge shot through my ribs, but I gritted my teeth and pressed on, determined. Finally, after what felt like hours of navigating loose gravel and jagged rocks, I spotted the Quorvath's massive, motionless form sprawled out at the base of the cliff. Its ember-lit veins had faded to a dull, lifeless black, and it lay crumpled, a giant rendered harmless.
After some searching, I found the tag, embedded beneath its scaly hide, coated with a dark residue that I brushed off carefully. I secured it in my pack and made my way back up. Two hours later, bruised, sore, and coated in dust, I finally climbed back over the cliff edge, where Cassia was waiting.
Jennifer had regained consciousness and was deep in conversation with Cassia. When they noticed my approach, both turned to face me. Jennifer's expression shifted quickly to one of embarrassment, her gaze darting away.
I raised the tag, letting it catch the light as I held it up. "Got the tag. Let's get out of here."
Jennifer looked away, trying and failing to mask the mixture of embarrassment and gratitude on her face. She could barely meet my gaze. I could tell she was humbled by the fact that I'd managed to take down the creature she couldn't even injure. Cassia, meanwhile, grinned and got to her feet, brushing off the dust from her robes.
"Good idea. We'll probably be the last ones to reach the exit anyway," Cassia replied, standing and offering Jennifer a hand. Jennifer accepted, grimacing as she tried to stand. A pained moan escaped her as she shifted her weight; that's when I noticed her right ankle, swollen and visibly bruised. It must've been broken when the Quorvath had sent her flying. She looped her arm over Cassia's shoulder, leaning heavily on her friend as they began the agonizingly slow walk toward the exit.
I followed for a moment, watching Jennifer's labored steps and her face pinched with each movement. Cassia looked at her friend with clear concern, and I knew they'd be struggling like this the entire way if I didn't step in. And honestly, after everything we'd been through, I was ready to get out of here as soon as possible.
"Hold on." I stepped up to Jennifer, giving her a quick glance before bending down.
Jennifer's brow furrowed. "What are you—" Her words cut off as I scooped her up in my arms, her head resting against my shoulder.
She let out a startled yelp, her arms instinctively wrapping around my neck. "Put me down!" she protested, though the flush that spread across her cheeks told a different story.
"We'd take forever to get to the exit at the pace you two were going," I replied, giving her a flat look. "Don't fidget so much, or I'll drop you." She looked up at me, indignant, but I kept going, turning toward the exit as Cassia followed, amusement flickering in her eyes.
Jennifer's voice dropped to a mortified whisper, her eyes darting to Cassia for reassurance. "I don't need… I mean, I can walk on my own," she stammered, her face still flushed. "Put me down, Callum."
I raised an eyebrow, smirking as I glanced down at her. "Relax. Let me assure you, I have no interest in you, whatsoever. At least, not yet," I teased, throwing in the last line with a grin as my gaze lingered a bit on her ample breasts. Her face went even redder, and I stifled a laugh. It was a far cry from the aloof, confident warrior I'd gotten used to seeing in her.
Jennifer then sighed, muttering something under her breath, but she finally went silent, clearly resigned to her fate. She kept her head turned slightly, staring determinedly at the trees rather than risk looking at me, though I noticed her gaze occasionally flitting my way.
Finally, the beam of light came into view, the shimmering blue door marking our way back to the academy. Cassia quickened her pace, practically bouncing with relief.
I stopped just short of the exit, setting Jennifer back on her feet. She stumbled slightly, wincing as she put weight on her injured ankle, but she steadied herself, meeting my gaze with a reluctant nod.
"Thank you," she muttered, her face softening. The embarrassed flush was still there, though. "For, well… everything."
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Consider it a favor. I'll call it in if I'm ever in a bind."
With one last look at the trial grounds, the three of us stepped through the blue door and back into the academy.
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