The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 130

CHAPTER 130

The forest thickened around them, the canopy above knitting tighter with each step. Saphira moved first, her boots sinking into the damp must, careful not to snap a twig or disturb the hush. Her eyes flicked from shadow to shadow, tracing the curve of branches, the twitch of leaves. Too quiet. Or past quiet enough? She adjusted the strap of her satchel, fingers brushing the hilt of her blade as if to reassure herself it was still there.

Jasper followed close, his footfalls light, almost feline. Raven trailed behind, her cloak whispering against low–hanging limbs, one hand resting near her belt pouch, the other occasionally brushing aside brambles with a flick of her wrist.

Every few minutes, they froze.

A rustle. A distant crack. The wind shifting like breath through the trees.

Saphira would lift her hand, palm open, body rigid. Her breath caught in her throat, heart hammering against her ribs. Was that movement? A seat? No–tem light. Maybe a deer. Maybe. She tilted her head, listening. Raven’s eyes narrowed, her fingers glowing faintly for a moment before dimming again. Jasper crouched, one knee brushing the earth, gaze locked on the direction of the sound.

They waited. The forest held its breath.

Then Saphira nodded once, and they moved again.

The sound of water grew louder, a low roar that pulsed through the soles of her boots. The ground sloped downward, and she pushed aside a curtain of ferns, fingers brushing the fronds like a whisper. The clearing opened before them, and the waterfall came into view–tall, silver, relentless. It spilled into wide river that carved through the forest like a blade, its surface glinting with moonlight.

Saphira stepped forward, her breath catching. Beautiful. Dangerous. Trees framed the clearing, offering cover, but the open space ahead shimmered with exposure. She crouched instinctively, her hand brushing the earth, eyes scanning the waterfall’s edge.

Jasper moved beside her, squinting up at the jagged climb. “I can get up there,” he murmured. “But I’ll be totally exposed.”

Raven joined him, her hand already glowing with a soft, pulsing light. “I can shield you,” she said, voice steady. “It won’t silence you, though. You’ll still need to be careful. Quiet. But the shield should hold as long as you need it.”

Jasper nodded, rolling his shoulders, the tension in his frame shifting into readiness. “I can do that. Once I get wind that Finn’s arrived and there’s a clear opening, I’ll signal you both to join me.”

Raven glanced at the waterfall’s edge, her brow furrowed. “How are we getting up there?”

Saphira stepped forward, her gaze sweeping the terrain. Her fingers tapped against her thigh, thinking. “There should be a verge on the other side of the waterfall. It’s narrow, but climbable.” She hesitated, the weight of the next words pressing against her chest. “If it’s not there… I can transform. Fly us up. But that’s riskier. Too visible,”

Raven nodded, her expression unreadable but calm. “Let’s hope the verge is there.”

Jasper turned to her, eyes sharp and focused. “Once I’m at the top, where do I go for the best vantage point?”

Saphira crouched beside the riverbank, tracing a line in the dirt with her fingertip. “Once you’re up there, look toward the pack. The outer homes are near the forest’s edge. You should be able to get close enough to see what’s happening without being detected.” She looked up at him, het voice low. “Stay in the trees. Don’t break cover.”

Jasper studied the direction, then nodded once. “Got

Let’s go.”

Saphira rose, brushing dirt from her palms. This is the moment. No turning back. She met Raven’s gaze briefly, then turned toward the waterfall, her pulse steadying.

Raven stepped forward, her fingers weaving through the air, lips moving in a law chant that hummed with quiet power. The magic shimmered faintly, like heat rippling off stone, and Saphira felt the air shift–denser, charged. She watched Jasper, his form still visible to her, but now outlined in a soft,

translucent glow. There. The aura. It worked.

Jasper glanced at them, gave a curt nod, then turned his gaze upward. The waterfall’s edge loomed high, slick and jagged. He crouched, muscles coiling, and launched himself in a single, powerful leap–his boots barely grazing the rock before his hands found purchase. With vampiric strength, he pulled himself upward, fingers gripping stone, body moving with practiced precision.

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CHAPTER 130

Saphira held het breath, eyes locked on his ascent. Please don’t slip. Please don’t be caught Raven stood beside her, silent, her hand mill faintly glowing. ready to reinforce the spell if needed.

Jasper reached the top and paused, his body pressed low against the stone. He peered over the edge, scanning for movement. Saphira’s heart theadded in her chest, each second stretching like thread pulled taut. Then–he lifted a hand, gave a thumbs up, and vanished from view.

Saphira exhaled slowly, her shoulders easing. One part done. Now the wait.

Raven shifted beside her, her voice soft. “How are you really feeling? Between us.”

Saphira hesitated, then turned slightly, her gaze still on the waterfall. “I’m keeping strong. But… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious Innerved. It’s my first time in a situation like this.”

Raven nodded, her expression warm. “The first time I was sent out, I was nervous as hell. My magic was off; I couldn’t stop shaking. Thought I’d mess everything up.”

Saphira gave a small smile, her fingers brushing the edge of her cloak. “Did you?”

“No,” Raven said. “Once I got through it, I was fine. More confident. It just takes that first push.”

Saphira looked up at the cliff again. “Hopefully my confidence shows up before the end. Especially if we need to help get Finn and Amara out too.”

Raven touched her arm gently. “You’ll do great. You already are.”

Saphira nodded, her throat tight with gratitude. “Thanks.”

Raven tilted her head. “How are you going to use your dragon to find Asher’s?”

Saphira’s eyes narrowed slightly, her voice steady. “I’ll have to rely on her for that part. But if there’s one thing I’m sure of–it’s that she’ll find him. no doubts.”

“Good,” Raven said, smiling. She opened her mouth to speak again–but a rustle cut through the air.

Both women dropped low, instinctively ducking behind a cluster of ferns. Saphira’s hand went to her blade, her breath held. Then–Jasper appeared at the top again, barely visible but unmistakable. He signalled them forward.

Saphira and Raven nodded, each giving a thumbs up. Raven’s hands moved again, casting a soft ripple of magic that shimmered across the river. The current stilled just enough for them to cross, stepping lightly over the stones.

On the other side, they walked a few paces and found it–the verge. Not steep. Climbable.

Saphira placed her hand on the rock, testing its grip. She glanced at Raven, who gave her a nod, and together they began the climb.

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