I whirl my head at a twigsnapbehind me. Goosebumps break over my entire body as I tighten my grip on the dagger’s hilt. I might not have my abilities, but I still know how to fight. However, I will not wait here and be an easy target.
Hurring my pace, I spill into the clearing we’re using as campsite and freeze at the sound of muffled giggles. Malik is fast asleep on the dead grass while four glowing dragonflies buzz above his head. I have to do a double take at the image before me because the bag filled with all our food—the one we hung in a tree earlier—starts floating away.
What the?
“Malik. Wake up!” I shout while breaking into a run.
A collective gasp resounds before I’m swarmed by about a dozen angry dragonflies. Once they’re close enough, I realize they’re not bugs but tiny, winged elfish creatures. They let out a collective high-pitched battle cry as they attack me, pulling at me from all directions and halting my momentum. As I swing my dagger into the air, one of them pokes me in the eye while another sinks its unnaturally sharp teeth into the meaty part of my hand. Disproportionately blinding pain shoots up my arm.
There’s the distinct hiss of zippers being opened. “What the fuck?” Sam shrieks.
A gust of air blasts the little creatures. They screech as they disappear into the forest with freakishly rapid wingbeats along with our food.
Next thing I know, I’m being pulled into a warm chest. “You’re hurt,” Kaiden rumbles as he places a finger under my chin to tilt it upward. Butterflies awaken and start rioting in the confined space of my ribcage.
“I’m okay.” Cringing, I add, “But really fucking embarrassed.”
“What the hell was that?” Sam asks from behind us on a hearty laugh. “Dude, you should have seen yourself. I wish my phone worked so I could film you.”
“Pixies. They’re small but can be vicious. Especially when they’re hungry,” a sleep-rumpled Rhett says while approaching Malik and dumping water on his face.
He gasps, then shoots upright into a sitting position. “Those little—”
“I told you it wasn’t a good idea to keep watch so soon after your first night,” Kaiden tells Malik.
“I wasn’t sleeping. They blew some shimmering dust in my face and—”
“You’re bleeding,” Rhett interrupts as his gaze cuts to me. All color drains from his face.
I reluctantly step back from Kaiden. “Yeah. A branch hit me in the face earlier, and one of those damn pixies bit me.”
“Shit.”
As soon as he finishes saying that, a low growl vibrates the ground beneath our feet. About ten wolves step out of the tree line. We’re surrounded.
There’s something wrong with them, though. They’re so emaciated, their bones are sticking out through paper-thin skin. And there’s no spark in their eyes. Somehow, I know it’s because there’s a void where their souls should be.
“Can you shift?” Kaiden asks Malik in a strained voice.
“No,” he grits out.
“Grab your weapons,” Rhett bellows as the wolves pounce. He lifts his hands, and the beasts ricochet a few feet back when they smack into what I assume is an air barrier.
“Stay close to me,” I tell Sam, dashing toward our tent. Kaiden and Malik zip for theirs, too. “Here.” I shove the dagger at her before grabbing my whip and sword.
“I don’t know how to use this,” she blurts out, voice steeped in panic.
“You’re not going to need it, okay? Stay behind me.”
“I can’t hold them much longer.” Rhett’s T-shirt is drenched in sweat, and his knees wobble as the creatures continue throwing themselves at the invisible wall.
We sprint back to Rhett at the same time as Malik and Kaiden, who’s holding two swords. The second must be Rhett’s. We turn so we’re back to back, forming a protective circle around Sam. The wolves rush at us—all snapping teeth and deadly claws.
Chaos ensues.
I flick my wrist, sending the whip cracking through the air. It slices through the wolf’s chest. I expect blood to gush out of the deep wound, or at least a howl. But there’s no reaction. The only noticeable thing is the horrid stench of rotting flesh as the creature forges forward. There’s no explanation other than—“They’re dead!” I yell. “Try cutting off their heads.”
In the corner of my eye, Kaiden is wielding the sword as though it’s an extension of his body—which equally shocks me and ignites my blood. Malik and Rhett aren’t as graceful, but they’re holding their own. I retract the whip, then crack it back. It wraps around the beast’s throat. However, when I try to pull it toward me, the movement lacks my usual strength, so when it thrashes, I lose my balance. A second wolf takes advantage of the situation and charges. Inhaling deeply, I let muscle memory take over. Tracing a perfect arc, I sever its head clean off with my sword. It slaps the ground before rolling backward.
