Pavia surged to her feet and threw her hands towards the roof just as pebbles gave way to larger rocks. The cave was collapsing. Cracks webbed across the stone ceiling too fast to be tracked. Blood trickled from Pavia’s nose and ears as she fought to hold the weight of the mountain and the fort above. 

The realization hit Jane within milliseconds: they were too far away. She and Mr. Dyer were too deep into the cave. Pavia wouldn’t be able to hold the ceiling long enough for them to get back to the cellar.

Radka shot to her feet, anger and sorrow and guilt once again swirling within her. “We have nothing more to discuss.”

“Wait, Radmila—”

“Radka. Radka Havrysh,” she snapped, pulling her arm away as Nadiya reached for it. “I have nothing to say to you, and I’m sure I have no interest in hearing anything you may want to say to me.”