It took Ross’s eyes a moment to adjust to the dim interior of the cavern that Samui led them to. He could see a magical fire, similar to the one Gem had created, burning in a ring of rocks. Another Yeti stood on the other side of the fire.
Ross pushed through the group when he saw Gem lying pale and still on a pallet. The Yeti growled in warning. Ross realized that its focus was on the lance he still clutched in his hand. He dropped it and the shield.
“Malay, it is safe. The rock creature was destroyed,” Samui said.
Ross knelt on one knee and cupped Gem’s hand. Her fingers were like ice. A light coating of frost covered her blue-tinged skin. His heart hammered, and he felt a welling of grief and desperation grip him. He lifted Gem’s hand to his lips and blew his warm breath over them.
