“Sylaira,” the Issaraeth crooned, his voice warping through branches and reverberating in my skull.
My fingers curled into my palms.
His sinister laugh came from nowhere and everywhere as I finally managed to pound my feet against the earth. I opened my eyes, trying to see a way out of the forest, away from my fated mate.
“I’m coming for you.”
“Run, Seer, while youstill can.”
“You’ll be my prisoner soon enough.”
Taunt after taunt slammed me from all directions. My heart thundered against my ribs. I didn’t know which way to go. Only that I refused to break under the Issaraeth’s torment.
A dark figure thudded to the ground in front of me, large and looming like an omen.
And when I skidded to a stop, his hand closed around my throat. He brought me closer no matter how hard I thrashed. I turned my head to the side, because he couldn’t look me in the eyes.
His hot breath ghosted over my ear.
“All mine now.”
I woke with a start, light just beginning its gentle caress of the skies. My throat ached as if the Issaraeth had been here, in this thicket, pinning me down. Chest heaving, I collapsed backward, wiping the sweat from my brow.
The Issaraeth had pursued me for days, disappearing for hours, allowing a bud of hope to bloom inside me that I’d gotten away—only to reappear within shouting distance and kill the delicate flower.
He hunted like a predator toying with his food; I was the prey he intended to devour.
Exhaustion claimed every one of my muscles. I hadn’t even managed to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time through the night for fear of him sneaking up on me.
Vaelsur Temple was close. So fucking close I could almost taste it.
I only needed to find the holy stream that led to it.
Easing through the forest on silent feet, I sniffed the air, praying for a whiff of moisture. I cocked my head, listening for the trickle of water. Or the telltale footsteps of the male’s approach.
I didn’t doubt he had lost sight of me.
It was only a matter of how far he was willing to let me get ahead of him.
I had considered, for the briefest of moments, surrendering my life by diving into the icy ravine.
But I wanted tolive. My life didn’t deserve to end in such a senseless way.
Someday, I would stop running.
Someday, I would face them head on like a rising storm.
Someday, I would wield power and they would fear the lightning I would bring.
Darkness crept on the edges of my vision. It had been too long since I’d taken virelthorn. While the years I’d consumed it had built up some reserves in my body, the last thing I wanted was to See while I was running from the Issaraeth.
With my luck, I’d have a prophecy of something that would help the war, and he’d report it to his sister straight away.
And then, I’d be no better than the other murderers out there. Blood would be on my hands whether I swung a blade or not.
I would not let them taint me.
Blinding incandescence flooded my senses. Pressure built behind my forehead. I halted, sucking in a sharp breath. Trembled as I waited for my spine to snap straight. For my power to surge from deep within me.
