“Please, help me,” she gasped her hand reaching out desperately, attempting to grab him. She felt her fingers close around something soft, before she felt his foot connect with her jaw, hurling her away from him. “I'll do whatever you wish.” But the only response, through the deep rumbling and sound of splitting of stone around her, was his fading footsteps.
* * *
Aidan quickened his pace as they fought their way up the sheer face of the rocky ravine. A downward glance over his shoulder had confirmed his fears; the land continued to alter beneath them. What had once been a valley when their hike began had deepened, until the near-vertical climb they now made had become their only way to progress. Now he could see the once dry desert ravine grow darker mere feet from their position. The r
