Chapter 17 · The Brass Oath - Chapter 17: The Cost of Frozen Time

"Don't let go!" Cain's hand locked around Mara's wrist as the stone floor vanished beneath them.

For one sharp second, neither of them moved.

The broken tunnel hung in frozen time. Dust stopped in the air. A chunk of black stone floated beside Mara's cheek. Cain's coat flared around him, caught in the fall that wasn't falling anymore.

Then the oath in Mara's chest kicked.

Pain ripped through her ribs.

"Cain!"

His jaw clenched. He reached for her with his free hand, but the gap between them stretched like hot metal. His fingers brushed hers and slipped away.

"Grab me!" he snapped.

"I am grabbing you! You're the one dropping me!"

"Then stop fighting the pull."

"You first!"

The frozen air cracked.

Gravity slammed back into the shaft.

Mara dropped hard. Cain's grip nearly tore her shoulder out. Stone rushed past her boots. Something struck her side, and white sparks burst across her vision.

She screamed, but Cain swore louder.

He swung against the wall, caught a rusted pipe with one hand, and dragged her into his chest. Her back hit him.