Page 236 of Crucible
“Go,” I urge him immediately.
Khalil managed to free one of my arms while looking for my head, so I use it now to claw the remaining snow from my chest and arm until I’m free enough to sit up.
Khalil is holding the avalanche tracker, and I realize it’s causing the beeping I heard. Thorin would only take me hunting if I agreed to wear it, so it’s around my ankle again.
Yes, even after I made a huge deal about it.
Whatever.
I’m starting to believe Khalil was right…I clearly have nine lives. How many does this make now? How many more times will the mountain test me?
The tracker starts to beep rapidly again.Beep beep! Beep beep! Beep beep! Beep beep!
Thorin.
He was next to me when the avalanche hit us, so I’m not surprised to find him close.
I quickly dig my legs out while Khalil begins unearthing Thorin.
By the time I crawl and wiggle free of my own snowy grave, he finds Thorin’s chest. I scramble over on my hands and knees since I’m not strong enough to stand just yet, and I start clawing away the snow from where his head should be.
“How?” I can’t help but ask despite us racing against the clock to free Thor.
Khalil flings a hurried arm out, and my gaze follows its muscular line to the slanted boulder where he’d been checking the dead. He would have had just enough time to duck behind it before the mass came for him.
I can see snow piled around the back and sides of the boulder even now, but it doesn’t crest the tip of the slant.
Focusing on my task again, I silently thank the mountain for sparing him and digfaster.
Finally, I see pale skin and blond hair.
Please, please, please.
My heart crumples with relief when I hear Thorin inhale deeply. Grateful tears spring to my eyes, blurring my vision just as his blue ones spring open.
I keep shoveling to get the rest of him out, but Khalil moves off.
Seth.
Oh, God, he’s still buried.
The avalanche took him first. How much air will he have left?
Don’t.
The tracker is still beeping a heartbreaking slow and steady rhythm.
Beep…beep…beep…beep.
I keep one ear open while digging Thorin out, waiting to hear that telling tempo increase. I have to get to Seth. I have to do something.
“Can you get yourself free?” I ask Thorin once both of his arms are finally free.
Thorin nods in answer and waves me off.
I want to kiss him for not dying. I want to kiss them both. Instead, I spring to my feet only to collapse again when I try to step through the deep snow.
“Where is he?” I beg more than ask Khalil. “Where is he!”
