‘Stupid, stupid wolf,’ I sobbed, gripping him as he sneezed into my hair. ‘Damned stupid wolf.’
Enfys sat back, her blonde hair sticking to her grinning face. ‘I’m an animal healer, too!’
I reached over, our fingers entwining.
‘One who’s going to catch a deathly cold if she isn’t careful,’ Glesni said, placing a hand on the wolf’s head.
He stared towards where the battle raged, before standing and gazing at me, unsure if he should follow Matthias’s plea to remain at my side or if he should fly to the aid of my husband
I lay my forehead against the wolf’s. ‘Protect him,’ I whispered.
The wolf sped off, his snarls quickly followed by screeches.
‘We can’t win this,’ Glesni said, limping forward. ‘We should get to the boat, escape while we can.’
‘Enfys, can you get to the boat? Be ready in case anyone needs healing? We’ll see if we can buy the others time.’
‘Be careful, Sorrow.’ My sister kissed my cheek, and I watched her hazy form disappear towards where, I hoped, the boat lay waiting.
I sent a desperate call out to the creatures, receiving only their bitterness in response.
‘Any ideas?’ I asked my mentor.
‘One or two.’
The row boat Romero had planned to use flew over our heads, smashing into guards, before the wooden shards spun into the air, sparking into flames, then embedding themselves into the few still standing.
I huffed a laugh as they fell, but it faded as they were quickly replaced with a new set of guards when Glesni sank onto her side in the waves.
‘Glesni!’
With the frigid waves lapping at me, I heaved her up, placing my hands either side of her face.
A weak smile lit up her face. ‘Damned lupus. Tires me out too bloody quickly. I’m running on empty.’
I stared into her bright eyes, thankful this amazing woman had come into my life.
‘You’ve still got something left?’
She shook her head.
‘You must try, Glesni. You’re our only chance.’
She sank further into the sand, as though her tiny form weighed her down, and clasped her hands over mine.
‘It’s you we need right now, Sorrow Elmswood. The moment to show that shit of a stepfather exactly what you’re worth.’
Tears flowed down my face. I shook my throbbing head. The lavender coil within thrashed, as though Glesni’s words were spoken to them, not me.
‘I can’t. I’m scared.’
My mentor closed her eyes.
‘Oh Sorrow. Never fear your heart. Evella blessed you for a reason. She?—’
Romero struck from behind, straight through her skull. He grunted as he pulled the sword from her shocked mouth, spraying my face with blood. Her blood. Glesni’s body twitched, her eyes wide, and she slumped to the all-consuming waves.
Shaking, I stared up at my stepfather. He wiped the blood from his sword on Glesni’s limp body before facing me with a smile.
