Chapter 3 #2
The world spun so fast she couldn’t tell where she was going or where she had been.
All she could do was hold her arms against her so she didn’t injure them.
Just when she thought she might be okay, her leg slammed into something solid.
Pain ripped through her, and a scream tore from her lips.
The impact slowed her descent, but she didn’t dare attempt to stop herself from rolling.
Instead, she waited until she finally came to a stop.
Inej didn’t move for several minutes. The only reason she knew she was alive was the agony shooting through her body in time with the beating of her heart. Just when she had begun to admire the beauty of the mountains, it had shown her what it thought of her invading its space.
She rolled onto her back, clenching her lips tightly when her leg throbbed excruciatingly.
She turned her head to look at the slope and gasped at the cliff she had plummeted from.
It was a miracle she had survived the fall.
But then, to also get down the rest of the mountain covered in trees and only hit one?
Though she might have hit more. Everything hurt, but it was difficult to determine which of the many impacts had caused the damage.
Inej closed her eyes, her heart rate beginning to slow and her breathing evening out. She was so tired. It wasn’t snowing or sleeting now. What would a few minutes of rest hurt? She was already falling asleep when she told herself she needed to rest her leg before she tried to stand.
She woke with a start, unsure of what had pulled her from her slumber.
She strained her ears to listen, even as her gaze darted around.
Water gurgled gently to her right. Above her, the clouds sat heavily as if waiting to dump fresh snow atop her.
There was no sign of the sun behind the thick layer of clouds.
She had no way of knowing how long she had slept. It could have been minutes or hours.
Her fingers curled into a fist, seeking warmth.
She winced at the discomfort, but it was nothing compared to when she sat up and debilitating pain shot up her leg.
She swallowed a scream and held her shaking hands over her left leg.
With tears distorting her vision, she carefully touched her knee and shin.
Even that little movement sent a rush of agony through her so thick it made her nauseous.
The growl behind her made her heart skip a beat.
All thoughts of emptying her stomach vanished.
She slowly turned her head and spotted the enormous animal.
It had a thick, cream-colored coat and yellow eyes that stared right at her.
The beast pulled back its lip, showing her rows of pointed teeth in its long snout.
Then, more of the animals walked menacingly out of the forest to surround her.
So, this was how she would die.
The dog-like animal flicked its ears as if listening. One of the others turned its head. Then the rest looked to the side. There was a loud bellow as something launched from the trees. The beasts scattered, then rushed toward the intruder.
Inej watched as something in gray fur fought the beasts.
If she had been able to run, she would’ve immediately gotten up.
While running wasn’t an option, she wasn’t going to stay.
She looked around to make sure none of the animals were near her and crawled away, dragging her injured leg behind her.
She clawed at the ground, her fingers sinking into the thick snow as she fought to put distance between herself and the animals intent on eating her.
Yelps and growls sounded behind her. She glanced back and saw four individuals standing on two legs and covered in thick, gray fur, fending off the creatures.
She bit her tongue against the pain in her leg and kept pulling herself away, right until she encountered the stream cutting through the valley.
She either had to cross it or turn around, and since she couldn’t stand, she couldn’t do either.
She pulled herself to the edge and looked at her reflection in the water. All it would take was one look for them to know she was human. Brown hair, brown eyes, brown skin, and curved ears. Nothing remotely elvish.
Inej thought of the vials and looked for her bag.
Miraculously, it was still looped across her body.
She pulled it from her side and feverishly dug inside it for the box.
When she pulled it out, her heart sank when she saw the smashed lid.
She glanced back at the fight and saw elven features before daring to open the box.
Out of the seven vials, only one was still intact.
She grabbed it before dumping the box into the water and watching it sink.
Clutching the vial in her palm, tension filled her when she realized the growls and whines had ceased.
Footsteps crunched in the snow as the individuals approached.
“You’re safe now. The wolvites are gone.”
The voice was deep and smooth. Commanding, and yet gentle. Inej had never heard anything so seductive in all her days. She turned her head toward him and found herself staring into eyes as black as midnight fringed with thick lashes.
“We should go,” one of the others said.
Inej watched the man who had spoken turn his head to the side.
The first things she saw were the fresh scratches and blood on his cheek and brow.
Then she saw his pointed ears through the long, dark brown locks of hair that fell across his face.
Shock went through her as she realized she was with the elusive Mountain Elves.
The man looked at her leg before returning his gaze to her face. “I can offer assistance.”
“Manu,” hissed one of the others.
Her heart hammered in her chest, shock reverberating through her as the name settled into her.
“The one you seek is named Manu,” Gita said.
“Manu,” Inej repeated, testing the name. “What does he look like?”
The elf shrugged. “He looks like any other. What I do know is that he’s the leader of a group of Mountain Elves. We know the area where they live, but not a specific location. If you head there, he’ll find you.”
And he had. It was surely a sign then that she had made the right choice in coming to the mountains.
Manu ignored his companion, his dark eyes holding hers. “If you stay out here, the wolvites will return. The choice is yours.” He held out his hand and waited.
Inej didn’t hesitate to reach for him.