"There," Giga pointed ahead. "I see it."
The refuges.
Stone walls built into the side of a rocky outcrop, just as I remembered. Light glowed from within—warm, real light that cut through the Black Realm's perpetual gloom.
I didn't wait for the others.
Urged my horse faster, ignoring Kael's shout to slow down.
The curse pulled harder, sensing my desperation, but I didn't care.
Couldn't care about anything except reaching that light.
Reaching Alaric.
I dismounted before my horse fully stopped, stumbling on legs that had gone half-numb from the curse's touch. The refuge door stood open—just a c***k, as someone had left in a hurry.
"Alaric?" I called, pushing through the door.
"Alaric, it's Mom! I'm here!"
The interior was exactly as I remembered.
Furnished with simple comfort.
