Torren is the only one who looked completely calm. “There’s a cave up ahead. Hidden by rockfall. It’ll buy us a few hours.”
Zeke muttered low. “Convenient knowledge.”
“Yes,” Torren said dryly. “That’s why I mentioned it.”
Whether we trust him or not, every step brings us farther from Bellona’s reach. And with Nathan’s kiss still burning on my lips, I suddenly feel very, very alive.
The forest felt wrong.
Too quiet. Too still. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath as we picked our way toward the narrow stone opening Torren swore would lead to an old mining tunnel. A half-collapsed cave mouth yawned ahead, gnarled roots curled over it like skeletal fingers.
Nathan still had his hand on the small of my back, guiding me like I was made of spun glass instead of someone who’d just taken down Cryptfiends and a coliseum full of psychopaths. Zane and Zeke flanked us, eyes burning gold as their Draxon senses sifted through every scent and heartbeat in a mile radius. Oren walked ahead, invisible—just his voice flickering through our minds when needed.
Jet stayed close, one hand hovering near me, the other curled in a fist that kept clenching and unclenching. We had a lot to work out. I knew he felt responsible for my capture, and that just wasn’t so. He’d done all that he could at the time, and I was determined to make him realize it.
Pantar padded quietly beside us, glaring at Dale from his perch on Nathan’s shoulder.
We were almost to the cave mouth when he stopped dead, ears flattening. A low, rolling growl vibrated from deep in his chest.“Something’s here.”
Fire ignited across Nathan’s palms.
Torren took a single step back, voice barely audible. “He… followed.”
The trees to our left shuddered. Bark splintered. Leaves burst from branches in a thousand frantic spirals.
And then he emerged.
The Varruk. Vee.
The same towering, obsidian-furred beast from the coliseum—horns curling into the shape of a crown, snout with fangs bared, talons carving the earth as he slowed to a halt. Eyes locked onto me first… then flicked to Pantar… then to the men surrounding me.
Zane’s fire roared to life.
Zeke’s ice crackled across his forearms.
Oliver and Deshawn stepped protectively in front of Chloe.
I smiled in welcome, happy to see my friend.
Nathan frowned at my expression.
“No. Absolutely not. We are not adopting another monster," Nathan said firmly.
“Look how much Pantar has brought to this Faction.” Jet nodded in the Fellat’s direction.
“Pantar is different. He’s classy and fierce. Like a murder-panther thingy with extra limbs.” Nathan explained, making absolutely no sense.
Pantar preened, as if he were being paid the highest compliment.“He has always been my favorite.”
I heard a snort somewhere to my left. Oren had gone invisible in case we needed a surprise attack.
The Varruk ignored the commentary and lowered himself—massive body folding, claws tucked in, head bowed toward me.
Submitting.
“Khal’ Sira… I tracked your scent. You freed me. I still owe you a death.”
Zeke froze. “What the hell does he mean by that?”
