We hunt together,Laurent thought, the strategy forming simultaneously in all our minds.Like we used to, before the curse and like the pack we are during it.
I darted forward, making myself the target, banking on my speed and agility to keep me alive. The serpent’s head snapped down with blinding speed, massive jaws closing on empty air as I dodged left. Its attack carried its head into the ground with enough force to crack the already fractured surface.
Now!I shouted mentally.
Marcel launched himself onto the creature’s back while it was momentarily stunned, his powerful jaws clamping down on the base of its skull, claws digging for purchase between armored scales. The serpent writhed, forgetting me as it tried to dislodge the larger threat. Blood as black as tar spurted from where Marcel’s teeth pierced its hide.
Laurent circled, waiting for his opening. When the serpent whipped its tail toward him, he leapt, sinking his fangs into the muscular flesh. The creature let out a shriek that made the very air vibrate, its body thrashing violently enough to send Laurent flying.
My turn again. I darted in beneath its twisting coils, seeking vulnerable points. The belly scales were softer, I realized. I raked my claws along its underside, opening gashes that leaked molten blood onto the cracked earth.
The snake turned with impossible speed, jaws snapping at where I’d been a moment before. I wasn’t quick enough. Fangs the length of my forearm grazed my flank, tearing through fur and flesh. Pain exploded along my side, hot blood matting my fur. I stumbled, nearly fell into one of the chasms.
Bastien!Laurent’s mental voice was tight with fear.
I’m fine,I lied, forcing myself to keep moving despite the burning agony in my side. The wound wasn’t fatal, but the serpent’s fangs must have carried some kind of venom. The pain was spreading, radiating outward from the gash.
Marcel still clung to the creature’s neck, his jaws working deeper, searching for vital structures. The serpent twisted violently, body coiling and uncoiling as it tried to dislodge him. It slammed him against the ground once, twice, but my stubborn older brother refused to let go.
Together!Laurent projected, having regained his footing.We need to attack together!
I pushed through the pain, circling around to the serpent’s blind side while Laurent approached from the front. The creature was focused on Marcel, trying to reach back far enough to sink its fangs into him. It didn’t see us coming until it was too late.
Laurent launched himself at its throat, jaws closing around the softer scales there. I went for the eyes, leaping higher thanI thought possible in my injured state, claws extended to rip through the gelatinous orbs. The serpent’s scream of pain was deafening, its whole body convulsing as I blinded it.
Marcel, still clinging to its neck, redoubled his attack, teeth finally finding whatever passed for a spine in this hellish creature. A sickening crack echoed across the wasteland as he severed it, the serpent’s head drooping at an unnatural angle.
But it wasn’t dead yet. Mortally wounded, blinded, but still dangerous. Its massive body thrashed in death throes powerful enough to send all three of us flying. I landed hard on a stable section of ground, pain lancing through my injured side. Laurent crashed nearby, while Marcel skidded to a stop dangerously close to one of the wider chasms.
The serpent’s movements grew weaker, more erratic. Black blood pooled beneath it, sizzling where it touched the ground. Finally, with a shudder that ran the length of its enormous body, it went still.
For several moments, none of us moved, just lay where we’d fallen, chests heaving with exertion. Then Marcel pushed himself to his feet, shaking off dust and blood.
That was fun,he thought dryly.We should do it again sometime. Oh wait, we will. Because this is fecking Hell.
I managed to stand despite the poison burning through my veins.You’re welcome for being the distraction,I projected, limping toward my brothers.
Laurent approached, concern radiating through our link as he inspected my wound.The venom. Is it spreading?
I nodded.I’ll live. It’s nothing compared to your electrocution.
We made our way to the edge of the fractured terrain, each step an effort as adrenaline faded and our injuries made themselves fully known. Beyond lay what looked like more stable ground, leading toward distant obsidian mountains thatpierced the red-tinged sky. The lost soul had been right about one thing, at least. There was a destination beyond this nightmare landscape.
As we limped forward together, I felt Isabeau’s presence grow marginally stronger. Still desperately weak, still impossibly distant, but there. Our mate. Our reason for fighting through every circle of this hell.
We will find a way out,Laurent thought, his mental voice firm with conviction despite our battered state.We will get back to her.
Marcel growled his agreement.Wherever she is now, whatever has happened to her, she’s still ours. And we’re still coming for her.
I said nothing, just focused on putting one paw in front of the other, pushing through the pain of my wound. I thought of Isabeau’s face, of her large doe eyes that somehow matched our own, of the strength she’d shown in the castle when everything had been taken from her. She was fighting too, I knew. Fighting to stay alive, to maintain our connection across the barrier between worlds.
We would not fail her. Not now. Not ever.
Three princes. One purpose.
Isabeau.
thirty-five
