“Maybe we can,” I say.
“We can’t.”
I turn my gaze toward the creature and flinch when I see it has moved closer, much closer. Its towering body looms over us like the tallest tree, blending into the gray sky, and trees that remain breathless in the dead breeze. Its body slumps forward, curling its bony back, and its head rolls around its long neck, scanning for us.
I slowly nod in understanding to Larkin. My mind snaps back to the trial: the darkness of the forest, the creatures, and my fear that I would never make it back to the castle alive that night.
The creature starts to lean forward through the dense trees we hide behind. Its long fingers grip completely around the large trees as its head peers between the branches toward us. Its stench fills my nostrils, and I fight not to gag. The smell of rotten flesh overwhelms my senses, making my eyes water. My vision blurs with tears, and I wipe away what I can, preparing to make a run for my life.
I watch Larkin steady his breath and nod, signaling that it’s almost time. He observes the creature moving deeper into the tightly packed trees, and that’s when I realize he’s hoping the creature gets stuck once we bolt.
“Be swift,” Larkin mouths, and squeezes my hand.
I reply silently, “You too.”
“Ready?”
I nod.
Larkin springs from behind the tree and blasts a surge of light toward the creature of darkness. A deadly scream fills the air as the attack momentarily blinds the creature, sending it stepping backward slightly. Its shriek rattles around us, and I clasp my hands over my ears.
“Run!” Larkin shouts.
I dash through the trees, heading precisely in the direction he indicated. Larkin quickly catches up, and we rush forwardtogether. Larkin is quicker, but he doesn’t rush ahead, only sprinting a few steps in front as we race toward the far clearing of the forest. The trees behind us begin to snap, and I know the beast is breaking them with its sheer power and determination to catch us. Terror fills me, propelling me faster around every tree in my path.
“Keep going,” Larkin yells.
My hair whips behind me as my lungs begin to burn from the surge of power coursing through my muscles. With each pounding step, the cracking of the trees grows louder. A growl fills my ears, momentarily overwhelming my senses and prompting me to look behind me. The large creature propels itself forward with its long, thin arms—breaking through the trees as if they weigh nothing. My eyes meet the creature’s devious, glowing eyes, and a rattling shock moves through me.
It can’t be.
I know those eyes.
A distressed scream escapes my lips as the creature closes in, and I reach behind me, still in motion, desperately trying to grab one of my axes. The stuttering of my steps makes me clumsy, preventing me from fully grasping the axe for my defense.
Larkin dashes ahead into the clearing, and that’s when I notice it.
Death’s Opening.
The vast space before us is both beautiful and horrifying. A broad opening rests at the base of two twin peaks, and thankfully, it is only a few hundred yards away.
Not much longer.
Larkin spins ahead of me, opening his arms for me to crash against him, and I keep pushing, faster than before. His eyes widen, and once again, horror fills me. A low growl reverberates in my mind, and I know the creature is right behind me from the rancid, hot breath that moves my hair. I lunge forward out ofthe trees and into the clearing. Larkin stands, opening his arms wider, and steps forward, ready to shift as soon as our hands touch.
I leap forward, and time appears to slow down. Larkin reaches out his hand, and that’s when I feel it. A sharp pain strikes my shoulder, and I hear my flesh rip open like rushing water.
The scream that leaves my throat could crack the mountains around us. Adrenaline keeps me going, but I feel a hot liquid quickly soak into my clothes. Larkin’s eyes go wild, and the smell of iron fills the air, drowning out the stench from the creature behind me.
“Don’t fucking stop!” Larkin screams.
My hand finds his, and we shift into a brilliant light of mist.
We land in a dark, musty opening just a few yards inside the mountain's mouth. Before I have time to react, Larkin is on his feet, pulling me into his arms. He moves in quick bursts deeper into the mountain, carrying us as far away from the opening as he can. The darkness envelops me, and I feel myself slipping away, each movement tearing my shoulder more. My eyes can’t focus, but I can see shapes of jagged rocks warped by time deep within the mountain. I’m not sure how, but a light aura cloaks me, and I feel warmth even against the cold stones.
“Fuck, Briar,” Larkin mumbles. “Hang on.”
Pain surges through my entire body, and even though he holds me tight, my body trembles. Screaming isn’t an option anymore. I’m too tired, but I can’t help whimpering against the pain. I glance down to ensure my arm is still there, and luckily it is—although I can’t feel it. The weight of my axes on my back sends an additional shock through my system, and my head slumps forward.
