CHAPTER 69: THE FIVE HEADED DRAGON

JULIA'S POV

My rough hands clung to the surface of the embankment as we climbed to the lair entrance. Stones burrowed into my knees, peeling at my skin. My palms were sore and bruised. Dozens of scratches littered my arms and legs.

With each inhale and exhale, my lungs burned and came close to blistering. I was tired, and I didn't know how much longer I could hold on. My fingers dug harder into the wall and I halted, resting the side of my face on the surface of the ridge.

“Julia, don't stop now. We're almost there." Declan's voice was an encouragement. I scanned down below to have a glance at him and regretted my decision to do so. The dropdown below seemed endless, as darkness was all I could see. “Just don't look down, Julia.”

“He's right, Jules. Look at me," Zander stated from above. My eyelids were heavy as I lifted my gaze to greet him up above. “That's it, Julia. We're almost there. See, James is already at the top."

“OK. I can do this," I chanted, lifting one leg after the o