The beast stalks closer. Eyes on me like it’s already tasting my death. It leaves a black trail of blood in its wake, its pace slowing.
It’s weakening. It’s been stabbed at least three times by me, and it'sweakening.
“Please…” Lyra’s voice trembles before she swallows. Terror shaking her body.
But the beast doesn’t lunge. Which only proves my theory. He won’t risk Lyra.
The whisper of metal chains whips through the air, and the beast roars, swiveling away from us and toward Devin who runs and jumps over the bed to our side. When the beast tries to follow, it’s yanked to a stop. Chains encircling its legs and tail.
Devin reaches us. “It won’t hold long!”
I let go of Lyra, and she arches forward, pressing her fingers to her throat as she tries to catch her breath.
I give her a sheepish grin, grabbing her by the elbow and pulling her to the door. “Sorry about that, I wasn’t going to hurt you?—”
“I know.”
We spill out into the hallway, closing the door as the beast roars over and over.
I look to Lyra. “Are you okay?”
She nods.
“Did it hurt you?” I whisper, scanning her body.
She shakes her head. “No, not at all.”
Squeezing her arm, I tell her, “You have to leave. It won’t stop until it has you again.” Then quietly adding, “It’s marked you.”
Her eyes are wide as she slides a hand to the back of her neck. “No, I want to stay, I can’t leave you?—”
“I’m the only one with this.” I flash the dagger at her. “I’m the best chance at ending this.”
“I’ll take her out of the castle.” Devin offers. “I’ll hide her so he can never find her.”
I fix him with a long, stern look, debating whether he’s someone I can trust or not. But the truth is, Devin won’t be able to stop the beast. Not like I can.
She has to go. And I can’t follow until the job is done.
Slam, slam, slam—the beast tries ripping through his restraints over and over. Growling. Until he roars,“You cannot run from me!”
“I don’t want you to kill him,” Lyra whimpers.
“He won’t stop until he has you. And what then, Lyra? I have no other choice.” I jerk my chin toward Devin, commanding,“Go!”
She steps forward, gripping my upper arms with enough strength that my muscles ache. “Please.” Her lip trembles. “I don’t feel right leaving you this way.”
“You have to.” I nod, searching her eyes. “You said it yourself. Find the place with the river and two crosses. The place you’ve been dreaming of.”
Her eyes water, and she rips me into a hug. Slowly, I wrap my arms around her, hugging her back with just as much eagerness. When she pulls away, a tear slips from her eyes.
“Now go,” I urge, flicking my head, not wanting to get teary-eyed over the first true friend I’ve made.
Her arms slip away from me. Hesitantly, she walks off with Devin, tossing me glance after glance. The beast’s snarl behind the door becomes louder. I wrap my hand around the door handle as I watch Lyra and Devin approach the end of the hallway.
Lyra tosses me one last look with tears in her eyes. “Will I see you again?”
A sad smile lifts my lips. Something deep within me, something I can’t quite explain, knows the truth. Knows that somehow, some way, this isn’t the end of our crossed paths. I nod. “Goodbye, Lyra.”
