Just as she turned her back to face what was below, a snarl split the air, and jaws clamped onto her calf, teeth sinking deep. Fire and ice shot up her leg, and she screamed as she was yanked violently from her perch.
The world tilted down, and her perspective spun as her back slammed against the ground; her bow flung across the ground. The wolf began dragging her. Dirt filled her mouth as she clawed at the earth. Kicking wildly, her free leg smashed into the wolf’s ribs. It only growled, draggingher faster. The sky churned above, the last shreds of light coiling around the treetops. Her vision blurred, flickering between the present and somewhere else. The figures writhed as they came in close. Their voices squealing in delight, drinking in her pain. She could see them swarming like bees around a honeycomb. Each one diving in to take an invisible bite, she clenched her teeth trying to focus, but suddenly the wolf let her go, as the other wolves whimpered. Lowering themselves as they backed away. The shadows twisted, disintegrating as the fog started to part. A shadow took shape in the mist as it stepped forward; a towering horse. Twice the size of any mortal steed. Its mane flowed like liquid silver. A body carved from the night sky streaked with fallen stars. Its eyes burned an icy blue white, haze curling from its nostrils with every breath. Vapor pooled around its hooves, swirling like water stirred by unseen currents. Sorcha’s breath caught. Her voice was barely a whisper. “The Ceffyl Dwr…”
The horse let out a deep, resonant whinny—a sound that rumbled through the clearing. It raised onto itshind legs as it reared back with its hooves striking the air. A wave of silver erupted outward, cascading through the clearing like a tsunami. The wolves recoiled, their howls turned to frantic yelps as they scattered into the shadows. When the Ceffyl Dwr landed, it was with an earth-quaking crash; the ground beneath it rippled like water. A deep hum reverberated through her body. The aura surrounding it was ancient. Possibly older than the forest itself. Her pulse thundered as fear rooted her to the spot. The horse locked eyes with Sorcha, looking her over as it slowly approached. The horse snorted, releasing a shimmering cloud that cloaked the clearing in its dusting of glittery silver. Slowly and carefully, the Ceffyl Dwr halted mid step and turned away, vanishing into the shadows. Sorcha’s breath came in shallow, uneven gasps. Her fingers dug into the ground beneath her, knuckles white.
The divine presence of the Ceffyl Dwr wasn’t a coincidence in Sorcha’s mind; it couldn’t have been. She stood slowly, balancing on one leg as she looked for Riona. Riona appeared beneath the tree they perched in, her eyeswide and hands slightly trembling. Sorcha reached for her bow, meeting Riona’s eyes.
“We need to move.” Her voice was steady now. “That thing wasn’t here by chance.”
Riona nodded, her expression grim but determined. Without a word, she looped an arm under Sorcha’s, steadying her as they moved. The mist slowly dissipated as they retraced their steps.
Chapter 11
Reckless Encounter
As Sorcha and Riona stepped beyond the fringes of the Hollow, the tight coil of tension in Sorcha’s chest finally began to unwind. Riona had just glanced at Sorcha, who trudged beside her in silence, when things shifted abruptly. A sudden gust carrying a strange chill sent a shiver racing down Sorcha’s spine. “Not again,” she thought as the air began to thicken. This wasn’t the same dense, oppressive fog from before but something else entirely. It was lighter and held an iridescent shimmer as the glow curled around their legs, rising higher with each breath. Sorcha halted, her hands became sweaty, and a slight heat wave washed over her. “Riona,” she murmured, her voice strained.
The mist deepened, swallowing the light, muffling all sound. Sorcha turned, reaching into the fog trying to feel for her.
“Riona!” she called, panic lacing her voice. “Where are you?”
A figure emerged from the haze, its silhouette sharp against the swirling clouds. Sorcha’s breathing was labored as Kyron stepped forward. His hair caught the faintest glimmer of light like smoldering embers. She let out a long exhale and met his gaze.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded, annoyance clear in his face. She gripped her dagger’s hilt tighter. The sudden urge to throw it at him flared, and she struggled to stay calm.
“Just taking a stroll through the forest.”
A smirk played across Kyron’s lips, the kind Sorcha wanted to wipe off. “You and Riona, wandering into the Hollow with only arrows and a dagger? That’s either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish.” Distant howls echoed through the trees. Sorcha’s pulse quickened as Kyron glanced at the shadows, then back at her. “Honestly, I’m betting on foolish, considering the look of your leg.”He stopped pacing and leaned against a tree, arms crossed, gaze dropping to her leg.
Sorcha’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you care?” she snapped. “You’re the one who keeps vanishing and reappearing like a ghost.”
Kyron inhaled deeply, taking another step. “Just blindly walking—sorry—limping into danger,” he continued, ignoring her question, his voice softer. “You have no idea what you’re getting into.”
Sorcha set her jaw, refusing to back down. “Avoiding the question, I see. I can handle myself.”
Kyron tilted his head, studying her. He was close enough now that she had to look up to meet his eyes. “Can you?” he asked softly. Something in his tone made her breath catch. “You were lucky today.” He stepped closer, mere inches away. “Your birthright saved you.” The words chilled her.
She forced a scoff, shaking her head. “What?”
Kyron gave a low laugh, quiet and mocking. “You really don’t know?” His gaze held hers, unwavering. “Yourrunes aren’t just ink bound by laws, limits, Sorcha. They’re different, without limits. The kind of power that doesn’t need to be given. I know you feel it.”
Sorcha grew more frustrated with each word. “What are you talking about?”
Kyron took another step. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he murmured. Something in his voice unsettled her, making her feel as if the ground had shifted. Before she could demand more, the clouds swirled around him, twisting and swallowing him. And then, just like before, he was gone.
Loud singing cut through the fog. “Sorcha!”
Riona’s figure emerged from the haze, waving her arms as she called out.
Sorcha blinked, her mind still caught in the moment that had just vanished with Kyron.
Riona raced toward hers, grabbed her arm and practically shouted at her. “What happened?”
Sorcha hesitated, her throat dry. “I… lost sight of you for a second. It must have happened when I looked back.” Her voice trailed off as she tried to sound convincing. Riona studied her for a moment before clicking her tongue. “Come on,” she said, whistling for Briar to lead the way back to Lumora.
The ride back was silent. The rhythmic clatter of hooves was the only sound between them. By the time they reached Lumora, the sky had deepened to indigo, with the warm glow of sap lanterns lining the streets. The familiar sight of the Circle’s Heart came into view, and as they dismounted, Commander Nethran was already waiting at his desk. The runes on his forearms flickered faintly in the dim lighting, casting patterns on the stone walls.
“You’re late,” he said, but then his eyes snapped to Sorcha’s leg. “What happened out there?”
