I can’t think, I don’t know what to do.
My hands are shaking.
My chest hurts.
“This is getting boring,” Nekros sighs, “I’ll count to five.”
“One,
Two,
Three,
Four…”
64
Avilyna
LITTLE WOLF
I don’t waitfor five.
I move, in a burst of instinct, I use Kvirr to steam the snow so a wall of fog rises all around us. Mouth busy casting spells, the confusion allows me to release myself from my captor. Propelling my legs with all my might, fingers stretching out to the closest person, desperate to grab him, to drag him back to safety.
Nekros doesn’t even blink.His gaze follows me with cruel amusement, and I feel the pull of his power. Heavy and suffocating, like being trapped in the depths of the ocean. Raising his hand, in an instant, the air shifts.
“No!” I scream, but the sound gets lost in the wind.
A dark force binds me in place, and I can’t move.
I struggle, but it’s useless. My feet barely graze the ground as I'm yanked backward, helplessly dragged away from Alek. I scream, heart ripping at the sight of them, my unconscious brother and my best friend barely standing.
Sam is on his paws, body trembling, fur matted with blood. But despite the odds, he’s still fighting. His eyes lock with mine, desperation in them.
“Sam!” I gasp.
He snarls at Nekros, warning in his growl. But the Demon King only pulls that wicked smile, looking at Sam as if he's nothing more than vermin.
“Your courage is commendable, little wolf.” His voice is sharp as broken glass. “But it won’t save you.”
Before Sam can react, before anyone can move, Nekros raises his hand again, this time without a flicker of hesitation. Dark red tendrils of smoke leak from his fingertips, poisoning the air to wrap around Sam's neck, bending it wrong—Crack!
The sound is deafening, chilling me to my bones. My mind goes blank–Sam’s body goes limp. And I watch in horror as my best friend crumples to the ground, unmoving. Unable to do anything to stop it.
“No!” The word is wretched from my throat, bleeding from the inside out. “No… no, no, NO!”
My voice breaks on the last word, my chest constricting as tears burn my eyes. I try to move, but I’m still held in place by Nekros’ magic.
“Why?” I sob, squirming in his grasp. “He didn’t deserve this! He was my brother!” Blinding rage courses through me. “You’ll pay for this! I will KILL you!” I scream.
Nekros steps forward, his face cruel and indifferent, the red glow in his eyes brighter now; he’s enjoying this. Bending down, looming over me.
“You had to make a choice, little mouse.” His voice drips with malice. “This is the price of your indecision.” My heart shatters, a million pieces falling away.
Sam is gone because of me.
I did this.
