"I don't think this is a good idea."
"Why not?" Nico asks.
I look down to where the cliff finally ends and see a long drop that will be "cushioned" by a pile of spiked rocks.
"Because I don't want to die for this."
Nico bursts out laughing and finally finishes tying Maia to himself with a rope around their torsos.
"Remind me why we have to do this."
"Because by using our ice to move, we can reach the capital in record time."
"And why are you going with Maia?" I ask.
Maia turns to me and smiles.
"Because if one of us doesn't make it, the other must survive."
I rub my palms together in front of me. It's impossible not to be scared in a situation like this, but here, it's more than justified to feel terrified.
"Are you sure there's no other way?" I ask again.
"No, this is the fastest route."
"Look on the bright side, Luke. You'll get to test your new mark now."
