Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,147
now, they were both breathing hard, the labyrinth pushing their limits.
Despite that, there was no time to rest.
Kira barely avoided falling through the floor as it dissolved under her feet. There was no choice but to race ahead. A single moment of hesitation would send her back a level.
The traps came faster, testing Kira's reaction time until it was all she could do to keep up.
Jin hummed in time to the music as he found his own way, sometimes ahead of Kira, sometimes slightly behind.
Soon, Kira made it onto the fifth and final floor.
Her breath burned her lungs.
By now, instinct and muscle memory were the only things guiding her movements as the labyrinth shifted, its walls and floor changing position every other second, their transformation coming faster with every iteration.
Kira persevered, waiting for her moment. That tiny break that would lead to her salvation.
She waited, her breathing getting choppier as her body begged for respite.
It flashed, there and gone in a split second.
Kira didn't hesitate, bursting through the instability in the wall.
At the last second, she grabbed for the blue ribbon of light as she plunged toward the ground. She caught it, using it as leverage to slow her descent.
With one last push, Kira leapt away from its wall, flipping and landing with a flourish.
When she straightened, she wasn't surprised to see Lieven holding his own ribbon of light having landed within seconds of her.
In the same second, they both touched the end of their staffs to the ground.
Light ignited. Blue for Kira and burnt umber for Lieven.
A third color, silver, raced to join them, following Jin's flight path.
Awed murmurs came from the audience as the colors spun around each other, following each flip and twist they'd made during the labyrinth until the light ended in the exact same place they had begun.
"Impressive as always," Lieven said with an admiring stare at the work of art they'd created.
“Not bad for someone who has been out of the game awhile,” Kira prodded.
The faintest of teasing smiles touched Lieven’s face. “Had you not let your skills lapse, it would have been your clear win. As it is, you can barely consider this a draw.”
Kira’s mouth popped open as she sucked in a sharp breath to protest.
She’d totally aced the challenge.
Lieven touched his hands to his heart and then his chin, in a sincere gesture at odds with his previous words. “It was a pleasure competing with you again.”
Kira forgot her irritation. "I guess I should thank you for being a good teacher."
"You were my best student."
Kira let herself feel how much those words touched her, knowing he’d pick up on the emotions.
His guidance during that time in her life and Tierni’s need had pulled her from the darkness she’d fallen into upon waking from her coma.
They’d reminded her of what was important and that although she’d lost more than anyone ever should, she could still make a difference. Maybe not in the same way as before, but a difference nonetheless.
It was only after she left them that she started pulling herself together. It was why Jin finally trusted her with news of Elena.
She owed so much to Lieven and Tierni. She didn’t think she could ever fully repay them.
Kira allowed her gaze to wander over their surroundings as the crowd stared at the work of art she and Lieven had created, impressed all over again.
While the Haldeel were known for their intricate architecture and exquisite stations, there were still pockets that didn't live up to the rest.
Selt was one such pocket. It was a grim and dark place where every day was a fight for survival.
Almaluk and its many wonders suited Tierni and Lieven much better.
"I’m glad your fortunes turned," Kira said.
Lieven’s stance shifted to one that denoted pleasure. “Me too.”
Before Kira could say anything else, Skye darted in her direction.
“It’s beautiful,” the girl said, her eyes wide with wonder as she stared at the ribbons of light as they wound around each other, the shimmering gold of the labyrinth acting as a backdrop. “More than I ever dreamed.”
There was a wealth of emotion in Skye’s voice. She acted as if Kira had handed her a priceless gift beyond her wildest expectations.
“It has the same feeling I get when I’m on a waveboard,” Skye said.
Kira looked away, uncomfortable. It was true she had Skye’s words in mind when she’d planned her movements. It was just an extra touch, not anywhere near as special as Skye was making it out to be.