At the same moment, Gabriel dropped me, taking wing. Too late. As I hit the floor, the Mark of Cain flashed its white light, searing my vision. My magic detonated a second time, the force so violent, it lifted me from the ground. I hovered, limbs rigid. My brain blanked out like a television signal lost. Still online, but nothing coming through. Around me, all noise ceased and my senses went on lockdown. I opened my mouth to call out to Keisha or Emilia or anyone who could hear me, but my vocal chords were frozen. Icy air skittered over my skin. Then I was falling…a straight shot to the ground. I landed hard a second time, gasping at a sharp pain in my ribs as I bounced with the aplomb of a basketball and tumbled once, twice, three times. Something that tasted like dirt got in my mouth. I coughed and spit it out as I finally came to a stop. For a couple of long seconds, I didn’t move, just laid on my stomach, catching my breath. All was quiet, except for the slight ringing in my ears.
