Chapter 48
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Ellery
The dog’s black tongue rolled out as it stared expectantly like a puppy looking to play fetch. My every interaction with these creatures had been one of life or death, but I was curious to see what it would do if I threw it a stick.
I shook my head at the idea. Most likely, it would jam that stick down my throat.
Before, the forest had always let nature take its course within its trees, but that had changed. I didn’t know if it was because the woods had decided it wanted the gargoyles freed or if it was because the forest also didn’t like how Tempest was being run.
It certainly hadn’t enjoyed being set on fire.
Or maybe something else had changed things. The forest had known for years I was a lightning bearer. I’d killed more than a few black dogs and other creatures with my lightning before, but the trees had never used any creatures to lure me to them.
Maybe our discovery of these trees, or the Heart of Stone, or the gargoyles had changed things… or perhaps it was time for a change in Tempest. I was certain most of the amsirah were ready for one.
The change could also be that Ryker and I have found each other. That possibility niggled at the back of my mind as I studied the black dog.
If I went out there now, the trees would come alive, and their roots would drag me into the tunnels below. They’d brought me here to free the gargoyles, but I couldn’t help feeling betrayed by them.
I’d trusted the dog to lead me to Ryker, not here. Even if I did do what the forest so obviously desired, it would take too much time for me to get to the stone and then to the gargoyles. By that time, whatever was happening with Ryker would be over, and he could be dead.
I gulped at the possibility as anger and distress tore at me in equal measure. The Revenant Woods must have sensed how desperate I was to find him; why would it bring me here?
Unless it’s already too late to help Ryker.