Chapter 33 Valen
VALEN
It takes me some time to realize she’s not behind me anymore.
I’ve been busy, trying to look ahead and use my Drake’s senses to see if we’re any closer to the Sorceress and her lair.
I don’t like the idea of being stuck here after dark.
I should have Shifted before we entered the forest and done a fly-over to see how deep it is and how far it goes.
Supposedly the Sorceress is at the very center of the forest—I just wish I knew how far away that was.
But my thoughts give way when I hear someone calling my name.
“Valen! Help me! Valen!”
I turn quickly, hoping that it’s just an auditory illusion. I scan the path behind me—empty. Irena’s gone.
I run to the edge of the path and shout for her…but the trees seem to muffle my voice. I think I hear someone thrashing in the underbrush, but I can’t be sure. Goddess damn her all to hell, where has my curvy little Princess gotten herself off to? And what’s happening to her? Nothing good, I fear.
I hesitate for a moment, my thoughts racing. I think of the sign at the beginning of the forest that warned, we should “Heed no Voices.” And so, what if she’s in trouble—she’s my enemy. I should be glad she’s been foolish enough to leave the path and get herself embroiled in some kind of conflict.
But I don’t feel glad—I feel a massive surge of anxiety—like a blast from a furnace.
It’s coming from inside me—from my Drake.
He doesn’t want her to be hurt or killed.
I don’t either. And, if I’m honest with myself, it’s not just because if she dies, I’ll be stuck in my Drake form.
I can’t bear the thought of some fucking monster eating her.
Irena might be my enemy, but she’s also mine. I can’t explain why—maybe because of the blood we’ve shared. But I can’t just leave her to be maimed or killed. Even if it means leaving the path and going into certain danger, I have to find her.
“Hang on, sweetheart—I’m coming,” I mutter under my breath. Then I launch myself off the path and plunge into the woods.