Chapter 15
The monster’s tattered cloak wraps around its skeletal legs as it barrels toward us. The fabric slows it down, but not nearly enough.
I throw the lantern at the beast. Glass explodes, and oil flames lick at the fabric. The monster rears back with a shriek.
“Run!” My voice cracks through the air like a whip, but Ferria’s legs don’t move.
Not until I grab her arm and pull.
She snaps out of her daze, and we sprint. My shoes slip on slick earth as we tear up the path.
“How the fuck is that thing out of the forest?” Ferria shouts ahead of me.
“I don’t know!” I pant, struggling to keep up with her faster pace.
This shouldn’t be possible. The monsters never leave the forest. We’re supposed to be safe.
Another shriek splits the night—inhuman and angry. It’s closer now. Too close.
I clutch my satchel strap tighter and pump my other arm. The heavy book slaps against my hip. I’d be faster without it, but I can’t risk losing the book. Not when I still have my deal to fulfill.
My foot catches on a loose stone. I fall hard.
“Elara!”
I scramble up. The satchel slides down my arm. I stumble again as I bend to pick it up.
Ferria’s back instantly, grabbing my arm, dragging me after her. The creature snarls behind us. I glance over my shoulder. Bright-red eyes under the tattered hood lock on me like a predator who’s already chosen its kill.
We can’t outrun it. Not like this.
“We have to make it hesitate,” I pant and pull her to a stop. “Bring out your fire!”
Ferria throws out her hands, and blue and white flames come to life.
Incredible.
Ferria’s magic has always eclipsed mine. I can heal, a quiet, steady gift. But fire? Fire is wild. Destructive. Commanding. Control over an element like that… I know, now, that it’s something even the Fae can’t do.
My twin has always been impressive. But now I see her for what she truly is—powerful.
That truth blazes brighter than Ferria’s flames when the monster skidding toward us jerks to a halt, a guttural cry tearing from its throat at the sight of fire dancing in her palms. The flickering glow illuminates the monster’s wary eyes, but I don’t know how long it will be before it decides to take its chances with Ferria’s flames.
“What now?” Ferria asks, voice tight with panic.
We both shuffle backwards up the hill. Adrenaline masks the worst of the ache burning my legs.
“Get to the forge and barricade ourselves in.”
“You think a door will stop that thing?”
I take in the monster gnashing its teeth, red eyes blazing as it stares at Ferria’s hands. “It has to.”
We don’t have any other options.
Power tingles in my hands. The familiar hum would be reassuring except for the fact that I have nothing to show for it. No incredible manifestation of magic that will help us escape this beast.
The standoff continues. Ferria and I make our way closer to the forge while the creature pursues us with a much more cautious pace.
My heart threatens to pound out of my chest. Ten feet separate us from relative safety, a barrier to this beast of nightmares.
We can do this.
Then something shifts.
A loud, shrill cackle sounds from the forest.
My vision tunnels. For one sickening second, my mind goes blank—no thoughts, only the certainty that I need to run.
The shadow of another monster detaches from the tree line, its form swallowed in darkness. I can’t see its face. I can only hear the jagged cackles spilling from its throat—harsh, mocking, a rhythm meant to taunt.
The klarv pauses its pursuit and peers at the new beast. Then it grins.
Claws dig into the ground as the klarv scrambles after us, no longer afraid.
Ferria’s flames grow brighter, and she screams, “Go, Elara!”
Blurs of blue and white soar through the air, striking the creature, then two more fly toward the tree line where the second creature creeps.
I race for the forge.
Ferria’s boots slam against the ground, easily keeping up with my slower pace.
The forge looms ahead, dark and silent—blessedly close.
Ferria races past and throws open the wooden door, hinges groaning in protest. Inside, it’s pitch black. Thank the Gods she never bothers locking up. No one is stupid enough to steal from the forge.
I rush across the threshold, the thick scent of soot and steel clinging to the air, and help Ferria slam the door shut. The thud of our shoulders against the wood echoes through the dark.
Thump.
Thump.
The door rattles. We press our weight into it. Ferria fumbles blindly, sliding the vertical wooden bar down into place with a heavy thud.
The rattles lessen in intensity. Ferria grabs the nearest table. I rush to her side and help drag it across the stone floor, wedging it against the door.
Growls and snarls echo outside. Scuffles. Pacing. Are the monsters searching for a way in?
I stare into the dark forge. The shutters are drawn, but a sliver of moonlight shines in from the left, illuminating a table of tools. I grab a hammer and clutch it to my heaving chest.
Ferria wipes the back of her hand over her forehead. “Gods, this is a shit night.”
I gape at her hands. “What the hell was that?”
“I don’t know,” she breathes. There’s fear in her voice…but something else, too. Wonder? Excitement? “I’ve never thrown my fire before.”
“Well, it was incredible.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I smile.
But it falters when a keening noise travels through the wood. I shudder.
“Should I light a lantern?” she whispers.
I shake my head. Realizing she might not be able to see me, I mutter, “No. It could make us easier to find.”
Though I suspect the beasts who roam the dark forest already have good night vision.
The sound of shuffling dirt and gravel comes next. Maybe I’m crazy…but it sounds farther away.
I count my breaths and listen.
No…I’m right. The creatures are moving away.
I turn to Ferria. My eyes have adjusted to the darkness enough for me to see her looking back at me.
“Wait here,” I whisper.
She nods.
I slide along the cool stone floor toward the forge’s nearest window—small, rectangular. No way a monster could crawl through it. Hopefully.
I rise onto my knees and steal a glance through the opening.
Jagged, curved claws shoot through faster than I can react.
Pain explodes through my shoulder as razor-sharp talons hook into flesh. Hot blood gushes down my arm.
“LARA!” Ferria shouts.
I try to pull back, but it’s too late.
The creature yanks—hard.
A scream tears from my lungs as the creature pulls me through the opening, drags me against splintered wood, and steals me away into the night.