I hadno idea where I was going in the woods, something that was incredibly hazardous, but the faint spark remaining between Ryker and me drew me onward. Fueled by my growing panic, I ignored the branches slapping at me, but the briars snagging in my clothes, hair, and skin slowed me as they tore away pieces.
I darted around, jumped, or scrambled over the numerous obstacles in my way. Branches and underbrush snapped as the others followed my reckless dash into the forest.
This weakening in the bond between us terrified me more than when I was placed in chains and taken with the other women to stand before Ivan and the other nobles. During the magnetic storm, I’d felt an irresistible draw toward him, and while that pull was still there, it was nowhere near as strong.
It could be because the magnetic storm had increased it before, but I was certain it was because something waswrong. Something had happened to him to weaken our connection. He was still alive, but he was in danger.
His lightning moved within me, but I didn’t know if that was also an indication he was alive, or if it had become a part of me that would never let go.Move faster!
I willed my feet to hit the ground at a more rapid rate as I dashed in and out of the trees. When a bramble bush ensnared my cloak, I tore it free at my throat and left it behind.
All clothing was precious in the camp, and especially our winter clothing, but it was only hindering me, and I’d rather freeze than fail Ryker. The cool air rushed around me, but sweat still cleaved my clothes to me and ran down my face.
I dashed around a large tree and skidded to a halt when I spotted a black dog standing on a boulder fifteen feet away. It stood with its head high; two thick cords attached its head to its neck. Even in the light of day, its red eyes were as vivid as fire.
Keeping one eye on it, I searched the forest for more of the creatures; they almost always traveled in packs. The sulfur aroma of this beast wafted to me, but I didn’t scent anything else nearby, and I didn’t see any others amongst the lengthening shadows of the day.
What is it doing here?
It hadn’t attacked yet, but I brought lightning to the tips of my fingers as its eyes stayed locked on mine. While it studied me, its claws clicked against the rock like it was debating something.
My teeth ground together; I didn’t have time for this, but I’d gladly fry this beast if that’s what it took to get it out of my way. The hellish creature examined me for a few more seconds before climbing off the rock.
Its gaze held mine as it prowled a few feet closer. It stopped to release an awful, hollow, barking sound that went straight through me. I almost slapped my hands over my ears to block it out, but it stopped before I could do so.
Then it turned and trotted toward a cluster of trees. It stopped again, looked back at me, and gave an odd jerk of its head before vanishing into the trees.
I stood there, uncertain of what to do as my gaze went from where the dog had stood to the direction I’d been heading. My instincts told me Ryker lay straight ahead and not where the dog had gone, but the forest creatures had helped us with the fire…
“Are they trying to help now?”
As if in response to my question, the leaves rustled overhead, and a pair of red eyes burned out at me from the shadows of the trees. The black dog was waiting to either aid me or lure me to my death.
I looked in the direction I’d been heading and felt a tug to my soul to continue that way, but maybe I was wrong. Something had weakened my bond to Ryker; I could be heading in the wrong direction and not know it.
The forest was offering help again.Who am I to deny that? It could know a quicker way, or there could be something ahead that will stop me from continuing.
The dumbest thing someone could do was chase a black dog, yet I followed the creature into the woods. Just because its pack wasn’t here, didn’t mean it wasn’t somewhere ahead.
However, I had to trust the forest. It was far older, more mystical, and far more mysterious than I would ever be.
It was a living, breathing entity with many secrets. I only hoped it was once again working for us instead of deciding we were the enemy it was going to kill one by one… starting with me.
Branches cracked behind me as the others closed the distance between us. I could be leading them toward their deaths by following this thing, but I wasn’t sure I had a choice.
The black dog turned and dashed through the trees when I ran into the woods behind it.This is insane,I told myself asI threw out my hands to keep the branches from tearing away more of my flesh.It’s probably luring you somewhere to eat you with all its friends.
While this was the most reasonable conclusion, I didn’t stop. Trees, fallen logs, bushes, and rocks blurred as I pursued the creature moving effortlessly through a forest that battered me with every step.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Ellery
I lostsight of the black dog when it vanished around a copse of trees. My heartbeat picked up as I poured on the speed.
When I came around the thick grouping of trees, the dog was standing on top of a log fifteen feet away. Its fleshless, black tail flicked before it turned and ran into the woods again.
I used my lightning to blast apart some thick brambles. They were still smoldering when I ran through them and on toward a stream meandering lazily through the woods.
