Air inside the cavern was charged with a weight that seemed to press upon the hearts of the inhabitants like the stones themselves. Snow swirled lazily in pillars of white light from fissures in the shattered ceiling, drifting down upon scales, sweat, and trembling flesh.
"Let me go, why won't you listen to me. Let go."
Kael's voice pierced the oppressive silence like shattering glass. He struggled so fiercely that perspiration beaded not only on his forehead but soaked his very body, dripping his torn clothes to cling to his skin. His breath came in rough, hack-saw gasps as if he'd been running for hours, though all he'd been doing was fight one man's grip.
That wretched beast—Shin—had clutched him with cruel strength. No matter how Kael fought, kicked, or shoved, Shane's steel-like grip never relaxed.
