I nodded once. My hand was already moving to my side—no blade. Of course.
Another rustle. Closer now.
And then it leapt.
It was a wolf. Almost.
But too big. Too wrong. Its limbs were bent at angles that made my skin crawl. Like someone had built a beast from memory and gotten it just enough off to make your stomach twist.
Its fur was patchy, thick in some places, slick in others. Veins pulsed beneath its skin like something alive was writhing inside.
And its eyes?—
Violet. Wide, gleaming, pupils blown so far the colour was nearly swallowed whole. And when its mouth opened, its teeth were too long, too sharp, shining like glass.
I barely had time to move.
Darian launched first, thank the gods. His body snapped into motion, freeing his sword from its sheath as he shoved me back.
I screamed Eryx’s name. But Fenric was already moving.
He dropped, wings folding as he dove.
Eryx had only just started to run, his tiny arms pumping, face twisted in fear?—
Fenric snatched him from the ground in one fluid motion, wings snapping open with a crack like thunder as he caught the air again, soaring upward with both children locked in his arms.
Eryx screamed. Mireth shrieked. Fenric didn’t falter.
My knees nearly buckled from the relief?—
But there was no time.
I turned back to see the thing clamp its jaws down on Darian’s shoulder. His cry tore through the garden. Bloodsprayed. The beast shook him, teeth sunk deep, and I saw his feet leave the ground.
I threw myself at the wolf. My shoulder slammed into its ribs with a crack that I felt in my bones. It released Darian with a snarl, stumbling sideways, and I hit the ground hard, rolling through dirt and crushed roses.
Darian collapsed, blood streaming from his shoulder, his sword clattering from nerveless fingers. The beast shook its massive head, those violet eyes fixing on me with something that looked almost like... curiosity.
I scrambled to my feet, breathing hard, hands raised like I had any prayer of defending myself barehanded against that monstrosity.
The thing tilted its head. Studied me.
Then it opened its mouth and spoke.
“Well, well.” The voice was wrong. Too human for that throat, too smooth for those teeth. “What have we here?”
My blood turned to ice.
It took a step toward me, nostrils flaring as it scented the air. “You smell of shadows and flame, little mortal. How... interesting.”
I backed away, every instinct screaming at me to run. But there was nowhere to go.
“My master will be very pleased,” it continued, that horrible grin stretching wider. “Very pleased indeed. I think I shall take you back to him.”
“Like hell,” I snarled, though my voice came out breathless and shaking.
The wolf laughed. Actually laughed, a sound like breaking glass.
