Carpathian 06 - Dark Fire

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    for air.
    Even her slight weight made the root teeter precari-ously so that she cried out and wrapped her arms around it, her legs dangling helplessly in the air. Above her, she heard the rush of wind, wings beating strongly as the huge bird plummeted toward her, diving straight for her face. Tempest buried her eyes in the crook of her arm and remained as still as she was able, terrified she was near the large bird's nest.
    She had never seen an eagle, but the bird was too large to be anything else. The eyes were beady and clear, the beak hooked and wicked looking. The wing span had to be close to six feet. Tempest was certain she must have fallen near its nest. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she re-peated like a litany.
    The bird had pulled up sharply and was once again circling, dropping lower as it did so. Tempest took a cautious look around. The fall was steep and long, sev-eral hundred feet. She would never survive. She glanced up, trying to determine whether she had a chance of climbing. At any moment she expected Brodrick to lean over the edge and take another shot at her.
    Above her, the cliff was too steep, and she couldn't see a single indentation to try for with her fingertips.
    How long could she hold on? Darius would come for her, but not until nightfall. How many hours could she hang suspended there? And would the flimsy root hold? She could see the dirt falling away at the base of it, and the wood itself was rotten and dry. Her arms held the slender length in a death grip.
    Tempest. The bird will make another pass for you. As it approaches, release the root. As always, Darius sounded tranquil; they could have been discussing the weather.
    If I let go, I'll fall, Darius. She did her best not to sound hysterical, but if there was ever a moment when it was warranted, she figured this was it.
    Trust me, honey, I will not allow you to die. The bird will carry you to safety.
    It isn't strong enough. I weigh a hundred pounds.
    I will aid it. Do as I say, Tempest. It is making its dive now.
    She felt more than the mesmerizing, hypnotic persuasion of his voice; he was mentally pushing at her.
    She felt the need, the compulsion to obey him. He was im-placable in his resolve. No one defied Darius.
    Tempest heard the long, keening cry as the raptor plummeted toward her. She could feel her heart slam-ming with alarming force against her chest. Dangerous as it sounded, she was going to do what Darius had or-dered. She couldn't stop herself. Already the need to obey was upon her, loosening her death grip on the root she never could have released if Darius hadn't com-manded her to do so.
    The bird raced at her, talons extended. With an in-articulate cry, Tempest let go. Instantly she was falling through space. The raptor was a terrifying sight as it came at her, its feathers blowing in the rush of air as it descended, its speed incredible. At the last moment Tempest closed her eyes. The sharp talons snagged her in midair, digging through clothing into soft skin, punc-turing painfully. Then they dropped together, the bird's enormous wings flapping hard to keep them aloft, to compensate for the extra weight of its burden. Her shoes swung and nearly choked her, and she had to clutch at them to keep from being strangled by the laces.
    Pain burned through her, her neck, her ribs on fire. Drops of blood traced down her sides to her hips.
    The eagle gripped her harder with its claws as it fought to bring her to safety. It was unable, even with Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    Darius's help, to lift her above the cliff, so it made its way to the nearest outcropping, dropping her onto the ground. But its talons were caught in her ribs, its wings flapping strongly in an effort to break free.
    Tempest tried to help, extracting the piercing claws digging into her muscles. Then she collapsed into a heap on a pile of pine needles and dirt and rocks as the large bird rose high and soared away.
    Tempest pressed her hand to her side, and her palm came away stained with blood. She coughed several times to relieve the pressure on her throat. Still, there was no doubt in her mind that this was a better fate than being shot or falling to her death on the rocks below. She struggled to a sitting position and tried to assess the damage done to her body and where she might be. Despite what she told Darius, she had a terrible sense of direction.
    I know. Stay where