A dark shape bounded out of the tree line—then another. And another. Three hulking forms charging at me.
I caught the glint of red eyes and the flash of brown fur, and as they grew closer, the gleam of elongated yellow front teeth.
Enjoy playing with the ratakan…
My heart swelled and slammed into my chest because I knew what they were.
Humongous rats.
CHAPTER 16
Biology determines connection to Source, therefore, a biological comprehension of the threat is essential in neutralization.
INITIATIVE MANUAL
Ibolted.
Through the dead port arch and toward the tree line behind it.
Could rats climb trees?
It wouldn’t matter if I didn’t make it to cover.
The ratakan screeched with excitement behind me, and I didn’t need to look back to know they were gaining.
Come on, Ana! I pushed harder, faster, using the ball of anger inside me as fuel. Viola’s smug face filled my mind, and I imagined busting it open with my fists the moment I got out of this mess. No way was I getting chowed down by rats on my third day in Nightsbridge.
I hit the tree line and dove into the forest, leaping over a fallen tree and crushing bracken as I wove between slender trunks. The woodland closed around me, reaching for me with spindly evergreen branches, as if imploring me to stay.
The screeches grew louder.
I ducked my head, driving forward, pushing my limbs to the limit. I burst from the forest onto a stretch of unfrozen land—and Trinity be blessed, was that a tower in the distance?
A rush of relief filled my chest. The Academy was visible beyond another stretch of forestland. If I could get to?—
I slammed into an invisible barrier. The impact sent a vibration through my whole body, gripping and shaking me until my teeth chattered. It released me suddenly, and I hit the ground, limp and unable to move.
What… Oh…wards. I was outside the damn wards. I pushed up on shaky palms, every hair on my body standing to attention.
A low-grade hum filled the air—a warning growl on the verge of menace. Breath coming in shallow gasps, I slowly raised my head. Three ratakan surrounded me, caging me in. They had the heads of rats, but quills ran down their backs, and their front legs were tipped with powerful paws and claws perfect for slashing and tearing.
They closed in, growls deepening, frothy white drool bubbling from their mouths, hitting the ground where it fizzed and smoked.
Shit. My stomach dipped, and a weight settled on my chest. There was no way out of this one.
Damn Viola. Damn my lack of power.
I’d failed my mother. Failed myself.
The ratakan pounced.
Heat surged through me, and I screamed, piercing the air with the full force of my horror and rage. The ratakan snapped their teeth mere inches from my body before being hurled back, their bodies twisting unnaturally, slamming into the ground several yards away.
What. The. Fuck?
They sprang to their feet, and one of them sprayed green gunk. I dove to avoid it too late. Warmth seeped through my pant leg, and the world wobbled as I staggered to my feet.
The ratakan rushed me.
