Chapter 28

Jar'ra fell on top of Cedric, her hands reaching out to catch herself but only succeeded in pushing Cedric into the dirt on the far side of the river. She immediately jumped up and grabbed him by his shirt, pulling him the last few feet onto firm land. He was breathing, but he wasn't moving, and his eyes were glossed over. She fumbled with a pouch on her pants and took out a small strip of fragile, almost clear paper. She wrapped it around the top of her torch until only the very end was in her hand. She put it on the palm of her thumb and snapped.

Brilliant, silver light tore Cedric back to reality. He breathed in so hard, he thought his ribs would break, his whole body desperate for the clean air. He pushed off the ground, and Jar'ra pulled him up so he could stand. The Hunter grabbed his arm to help him steady himself.

"Breathe, Cedric. Come back to us."