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“Evie,” he said. “Wake up.”
I opened my eyes and saw him standing over me, fully dressed.
“What is it?”
“I have to go,” he said. “There’s been an attack.”
My heart sank. “What happened?”
“A group of rogue gargoyles attacked one of our outposts,” he said. “They killed several of our people.”
I gasped. “Oh, no.”
“I know, I have to go help.”
I nodded. “I’m coming with you.”
He shook his head. “No,” he said. “It’s too dangerous. Stay here.”
“But I want to help. I’m a Durzomian sentinel now. I have to protect my people.” Tears of determination sprang to my eyes. The need to prove myself a valuable member of this community grew strong.
He sighed. “I know you do,” he said. “But you’re not ready yet. You need more training.”
“I can learn. I’m a fast learner.”
He smiled. “I know you are,” he said. “But this is different. This is a matter of life and death.”
He was right. I wasn’t ready to fight in a war. But I didn’t want to stay behind either.
“What can I do? If I can’t do this, the others will see me as a weak human. If I show up with you, as unified in this fight, I’ll gain their respect. Please, Kuzar,” I begged.
“You can come with me. But I don’t like it. I would rather keep you safe. However, you are a formidable warrior. Just promise you’ll do as I say out there.”
I nodded. “I understand,” I said. “I’ll heed your directions.”
He kissed me on the forehead. “Good girl. We should go.”
We left the cave. A sense of both pride and courage coursed through my veins. I needed to prove this.
Despite my fear, I remained determined. I was a Durzomian sentinel now, and I would do whatever it took to protect my people.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kuzar
The flapping ricocheted off the rocky canyon walls, an earsplitting symphony of angry squawks and shrieking wails. A dark shadow began growing from the mountain’s maw, an ominous silhouette against the fading twilight. I cast a wary gaze at Evie, holding her hand tighter, the sensation of her soft, warm skin searing through my stony palm.
The night fell in tatters around us. The silhouette turned into a horrifying spectacle; a teeming horde of harpies swarmed out of the mountain tunnels bordering our territory. Jagged talons glinted wickedly under the sickly moonlight, and their rabid eyes glowed with murderous intent.
Fear coursed like fire through my veins as the tribe scrambled for their posts, arming themselves for a fight. Their guttural cries mingled with the unholy screeches, creating a maddening overture of chaos. Evie stood behind me, her frightened eyes pleading for answers. Though every instinct screamed to shield her away, there was nowhere to run.
“You have never faced these creatures before. Stay close!” I thundered over the growing tempest, gripping her hand even tighter.
The chieftain’s booming voice cut through the pandemonium, sending a wave of determination through our ranks. “Hold your ground, gargoyles! We shall not yield our home to these foul-winged rats!”
My feet pounded against the tunnel floor, the beat echoing the pounding of my heart. A gargoyle sentinel next to me let out a deafening roar, a primal challenge that reverberated through the canyon. My wings burst open, joining the chorus of leathery flutters as we soared into the fray.
The first wave of harpies met us head-on, their razor-sharp talons slashing through the air. I dodged an attack, the gust of wind from their leathery wings nearly throwing me off balance. The beasts dove and swooped, claws raking at my scales and tearing through the layers of toughened skin.
