Chapter 35
VIVIENNE
My pulse pounds in my ears as a thunderous roar fills the air, followed by the sounds of distant screams. Dain rushes to his wife and child, speaking in hurried and hushed tones.
“Dain and I must go,” Auren says, gripping my shoulders. “Stay here with Lyrea and Ailyn.”
Panic trips my heart. “You can’t go out there, Auren. It’s too dangerous. You—”
“I’m a warrior, Vivienne. I must protect our people.” He presses a hurried kiss to my forehead. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
Outside, the bells continue to ring, the sound rolling across the town in frantic waves. Somewhere beyond the cottage walls, people are shouting. I hear the distant crash of something breaking and the unmistakable sound of more terrified cries.
Before I can protest, he’s rushing to the door with Dain, their swords already drawn.
“Auren!” I call out, desperate to keep him here.
His head whips toward me, his eyes blazing. “Please, Vivienne, stay here where it’s safer. I’ll come back for you. I promise!”
With that, he rushes outside to Vaelen. Before the door swings closed, a Dire wolf bursts through the entryway.
Startled, I stumble back as it skids across the wooden floorboards, claws scraping against the planks as it comes to a halt beside Lyrea.
It’s nearly as large as Vaelen with midnight black fur and golden eyes.
“This is Rhyka.” Lyrea gestures to the wolf. “She’s mine. Don’t worry. She’s come to protect us.”
Outside, another scream echoes through the streets as the bells continue their frantic ringing.
“Come with me,” she says, as she gathers Ailyn up in her arms, rushing toward a door near the back of the kitchen. “We’ll hide in the cellar.”
Rhyka and the wolf pup follow us down the darkened staircase. The air is cooler here, carrying the faint smell of apples and stored grain. A single lantern hangs from a wooden beam, providing just enough illumination to guide my steps so I don’t trip over any of the supplies down here.
Lyrea slams the door shut, reinforcing it with a wooden plank.
Rhyka immediately plants herself in front of it, fur bristled, ears flat against her skull as her lips curl back in a feral snarl, revealing two rows of dagger-sharp fangs.
Tears stream down Ailyn’s face as she clings to her mother, her tiny body trembling and the wolf pup squirming nervously in her arms.
Something crashes overhead, followed by the sound of glass shattering. My blood turns cold as heavy footsteps thunder across the floorboards above us.
Ailyn whimpers and Lyrea smooths a hand over her hair. “Shhh,” she soothes. “We need to be quiet.”
BOOM. The cellar door shudders violently, and dust rains down from the ceiling.
Ailyn screams, and the pup yips in alarm.
Rhyka crouches low, a vicious growl rising in her chest, her entire focus centered on the door.
The hinges groan as another crash shakes the wood.
Lyrea turns to me. “They’re going to break through.” She holds out her daughter. “Here. Take Ailyn. There’s a door in the back. The stairs lead to the outside.”
My hands shake as I gather Ailyn in my arms. “What about you?” I ask as another loud boom vibrates the floor overhead. “Come with us.”
Blue magic curls around Lyrea’s fingers, sparking like lightning as she turns back to the door. “You must go,” she says urgently. “I’ll stay here and hold them back as long as I can to give you and Ailyn a chance to get away.”
“But—”
A deafening crack splits the air as the wood starts to give.
Lyrea’s glowing blue eyes meet mine, full of panic. “Run!”
The door bursts open in an explosion of splintered wood, followed by a thunderous roar.
“Go!” she yells.
Rhyka snarls and charges forward as Lyrea’s magic arcs from her palms.
I spin on my heels. Holding Ailyn tight to my chest, I race toward the back of the cellar, the wolf pup following close behind us. Up ahead, a crack of daylight illuminates the exit. I run up the stairs, slide the latch, and push the doors open.
Chaos swallows the street the moment I burst from the cellar. Black smoke thickens the air, stinging my nose as I clutch Ailyn tightly against my chest and stumble forward into the madness.
Dark elves sprint through the streets, their powerful magic flashing in brilliant streaks of blue and violet toward their enemies.
The Ogres are everywhere. They’re even larger than I imagined. They’re heavily muscled, with thick gray skin, covered in tattooed markings. Their dark hair hangs down their backs in thick, heavy braids decorated with gold cuffs and beads that match the rings in their pointed ears.
Huge Fire wolves with blood red eyes fight beside them, snapping and lunging at the Dire wolves in a frenzy of fangs and claws.
Magic arcs from one of the Elves, hitting the nearest Ogre square in the chest in an explosion of blue light.
The Ogre howls in pain and drops to one knee. I watch in horror as he staggers back to his feet, releasing a bellowing roar as he charges forward again.
Ailyn clutches me tighter, sobs wracking through her tiny body as the sounds of battle collide in a storm of steel and magic and snarling beasts. “I’m scared,” she whimpers.
“I know,” I whisper, struggling to push down the fear clawing at my chest. “We’re going to find somewhere safe.”
But the moment the words leave my lips, I realize I have no idea where safety might be. Everywhere I look there is only violence.
Magic bursts in crackling streaks of light as Dark Elf warriors hurl spells toward the monsters. Wolves collide in snarling masses of fur and fangs. An Ogre releases a terrifying roar that shakes the ground beneath us.
My heart pounds wildly as I turn in a slow circle, the wolf pup at my feet, as I search desperately for somewhere to run.
Ailyn is crying in my arms, her small hands clutching the front of my dress as she presses her face against my shoulder.
In the distance, I see an Elf woman with her children, hiding behind a stable. She waves to me, yelling at me to run toward her.
As I race to safety, movement catches the corner of my eyes. A flash of metal flies through the air so fast, for a moment my mind cannot make sense of what I’m seeing.
Time slows as a crude iron blade spins end over end, cutting through the smoke and chaos, heading straight for us.
I twist sharply to avoid it, pulling Ailyn closer and turning my back toward the weapon as I wrap myself protectively around her, but it’s too late. A sharp cry tears from my throat as blinding pain explodes through my shoulder, slamming into me so hard it nearly knocks me off my feet.
Heat spreads beneath my sleeve, and the scent of iron fills the air as blood begins to run down my arm. My heart hammers as I look at Ailyn, checking her for injury. Thankfully, she’s alright. That’s the only thing that matters.
Gritting my teeth, I stagger forward, struggling to remain upright as the world tilts around me. I have to keep moving. I cannot—
A savage snarl cuts through the noise of the battle, and I turn back to see a Fire wolf with glowing red eyes. My stomach drops as it bursts free from the chaos of the fighting and charges forward.
There isn’t time to run. In one swift motion, I lower Ailyn and shove her behind me, placing myself between her and the wolf. “Run, Ailyn!”
The beast lunges, and pain rips through me as sharp claws rake across my torso, slamming me to the ground, forcing the air from my lungs.
The wolf’s sharp teeth snap inches from my face a moment before a blur of silver fur barrels into its side, sending it tumbling away.
It’s Vaelen.
Locked in battle, they roll across the ground in a tangled mess of fangs and claws.
Ailyn scrambles toward me, tears streaming down her cheeks. Olly lets out a furious growl far too big for his tiny body.
But before I can pull her close again, the ground begins to quake beneath us. My heart stops as I look up and see a massive Ogre coming toward us.
Ice fills my veins as his cold yellow eyes lock onto mine and his lips curl in a feral grin.
Ailyn clings to me, sobbing. “No!” she cries out as Olly charges the Ogre with a brave little snarl.
The Ogre laughs and kicks the pup away, sending it flying to the side.
“Ailyn, stay behind me,” I whisper.
Searing pain arcs through my body as I push to my feet. Gritting my teeth, I force myself to focus, scanning the ground for anything I can use as a weapon.
A broken plank lies near the wreckage of a shattered cart, the sharp end glowing with red embers.
Heat stings my palms as I snatch it up, but I tighten my grip as I place myself between Ailyn and the Ogre.
Vaelen breaks away from his fight to rush toward me, but the other wolf chases after him, slamming into his side. They fall to the ground, battling viciously.
Fighting and chaos surround us. No help is coming. Panic snakes down my spine as the Ogre stalks toward us like a predator closing in on his prey.
Anger overrides my fear, and I glare at the beast. If this is to be my end, then I will die fighting. Breathing heavily, I push through the pain and hold up my makeshift weapon. “Come on then,” I grind out hoarsely.
The Ogre’s mouth curves up in twisted amusement as he raises his club overhead.
Using the last of my strength, I thrust the sharp plank forward, jabbing the burning end into the creature’s stomach.
The Ogre roars as it stabs into his flesh, doubling forward in pain.
For a brief moment hope sparks within, but it’s quickly snuffed out as he swings his massive arm out, striking my side. The air explodes from my lungs and I crash to the ground. Searing pain tears through my ribs as I struggle to breathe.
Terror fills me as the Ogre’s dark gaze falls upon Ailyn.
“Ailyn, run!” I yell, but she’s backed into a corner, her wolf pup standing before her, his fur bristling as he emits a tiny growl.
Agony rips through my body as I drag myself across the dirt, desperate to save her. I wrap my arms around the little girl and pull her beneath me as the Ogre looms above us.
Ailyn cries against my chest as he raises his club overhead.
I cannot stand, much less fight. But I can use my body to shield hers… give her a chance to survive.
“Close your eyes, little one,” I whisper, holding her close as tears stream down my cheeks. “I have you.”
My entire body goes tense as I brace for the blow.
The Ogre makes a guttural noise, and the club falls from his hands, landing beside us with a heavy thud.
I look up. A thunderbolt of blue light slams into his side.
My heart stops when I see Auren, magic winding between his fingers as he sends another powerful bolt of energy toward the Ogre. It strikes his chest, sending him crashing into the dirt.
Panic wraps tight around my chest as the Ogre staggers to his feet, growling at Auren.
Lightning fast, my Dark Elf husband charges forward like a storm made flesh, his blade flashing in a deadly arc as he lunges, driving his sword deep into the Ogre’s throat.
The beast stumbles, dark blood streaming down his front before he collapses to the ground and goes still.
“Find a healer!” Auren cries out as he rushes toward me, dropping to his knees. His eyes are wide with panic as his gaze sweeps over the blood trailing down my arm, the claw marks on my side, and the way Ailyn still clings to me.
Dain and Lyrea come up behind him. My arms tremble as I unwrap them from around Ailyn. Dain pulls her toward him, checking her for injury, asking if she’s hurt. “I’m fine, Ada,” she says through hiccupping sobs. “Vivienne saved me.”
Auren’s hands tremble as he assesses my injuries with his magic. I cry out in agony when he moves them over the wounds on my right side. I blink several times struggling to remain conscious.
“The Fire Wolves,” Lyrea says, panic flashing across her features as she looks at the claw marks on my skin. “Their claws have venom. She needs the antidote. Now!”
“Vivienne.” Auren gathers me in his arms. “You need to stay awake, me’lira. Please.”
“I’m trying,” I barely manage as darkness begins to creep in around the edges of my vision.
He brushes the hair back from my face as he stares down at me, fear marring his handsome features. “Vivienne, please,” he grinds out. “Please, don’t close your eyes. You’re going to be fine, but you need to stay awake. The healer is coming.”
Cold spreads through my limbs, heavy and slow, and I realize I’m dying. It isn’t fair. A tear slips down my cheek. I wanted a life with him… a family. I don’t want to leave him.
With the last of my strength, I lift a trembling hand and touch Auren’s face. “I wish we’d had more time,” I whisper as I stare deep into his luminous blue eyes. “I love you, Auren.”
“I love you, Vivienne.” He drops his forehead to mine, devastation etched in his features as he blinks back tears. “And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he whispers as my eyes close, and I fall away into the dark and beckoning void.