Tess built a small fire using branches from the treeline below the snow.
It took three trips down and back to gather enough wood, but Gabriel still hadn't moved by the time she returned with the third armload.
She arranged the branches in a pile and used her flint to coax flames to life. The fire seemed pitiful compared to what had erupted from Gabriel's body, but it provided warmth against the mountain cold.
She sat and watched him breathe.
His chest rose and fell with steady rhythm. No sign of distress. No indication he was in pain. He just looked like he was sleeping.
Except for the circle of scorched stone around him. Except for the silver-white markings that spiralled across his exposed skin, visible where his clothing had burned away.
Tess pulled her cloak tighter and fed another branch to the fire.
The sun climbed higher. Hours passed.
Gabriel finally stirred as afternoon shadows began to stretch across the ravine.
