Something was wrong. The wolves were her stewards, guardians of Power’s Starborne. They should heed her call.
The alpha tensed, muscles twitching in preparation to lunge. A low growl reverberated through the wolf’s bared teeth.
Astraia had no time to contemplate. She took aim, feeling that electrifying sensation filling her mind—time slowed, senses heightened.
She could smell the iron of old blood coating the wolf’s fur, a prior triumph over his prey. Her eyes narrowed on the drops of saliva falling from the beast’s mouth. The sound of lungs expanding and paws clawing dirt and leaves echoed in her ears.
With a final exhale, she released her arrow.
The world around her pitched as her senses rebounded.
A loud thud resounded from the direction of her aim, her arrow hitting its mark. Directly between the red eyes of the wolf.
A whimper escaped the wolf’s mouth before the enormous animal succumbed to death, falling on its side.
The remaining two wolves took a step toward their fallen leader, sniffing the motionless body.
Astraia grabbed another arrow from her quiver, taking aim once more. If the beasts attacked at once, she would not be able to fend them both off.
Her pulse quickened as the wolves turned and faced her, their eyes aflame.
“Come on, then!” she screamed. If she was to die today, she would do so fighting.
She reached for the tether to her bonds, finding the box in her mind easily, and snatched the lid wide open. Her bond flared to life, filling every pore of her existence.
A bright, brilliant light burst from her, filling the glen surrounding them, ricocheting off the river surface.
I am Starlight. I will not fall.
The two wolves faltered at the sight of her power, but they recovered. Their legs tensed and within seconds, they leaped for her.
A flash of dark silver arced through the light.
One of the wolves let out a gurgling yelp and crumpled, a broadsword buried deep in its flank.
Before Astraia could even blink, a figure burst from the shadows, cloak billowing, sword already spinning for a second strike.
Draven.
The air rippled with heat as he moved, Astraia’s light catching the muscles of his forearms. Pure rage, just barely caged. Controlled.
The second wolf lunged. Draven ducked beneath it, dragging his blade upward in a wide arc that split it clean open. Blood soaked the ground. Red eyes now vacant.
Silence fell.
Astraia dropped her bow, chest heaving. Her bond pulsed in her spine—relieved. She tugged on her tether, watching the light surrounding her dissipate.
Draven turned, blood on his blade. Astraia noticed gray smoke coiling from his skin as his eyes fell to hers.
“You are terrible at running,” he growled.
As much as it pained Astraia to admit it, she was grateful to see the bounty hunter. That was twice now that he had aided her. She wasn’t sure if she was more irritated that he found her again…or relieved.
Probably a bit of both.
“How did you find me?” she asked, feeling for her blade at her side.
“Not even a thank you, Starborne?” He wiped his broadsword clean on the beast’s fur, sheathing it leisurely on his back, as he strode up to her.
