A low but mighty growl reverberated through the land—the ground trembled in its quake. Thrashing wind struck my cheeks. The mighty branches of the trees tossed about.
Another feral growl sounded. It was louder than before. The metal sang as I slid the dagger from its sheath. Fragments of sunlight caught on the blade temporarily blinding me.
When it passed, a pair of jade, lucent eyes glared across a rock-laden path. Terror seized my body.
The creature was wolf-like, but it towered over any creature I ever saw. Ragged pewter fur outlined its clenched stance and crimson stained the edge of its lips. Fragmented sunlight slid through the canopy of leaves overhead, illuminating the beast. A mouth full of grotesque fangs gleamed as its jaw opened—a cascading growl released.
Dewy sweat coated my palms.
The dagger tilted in my grip.
It crept forward—stalking me.
I screamed as I ran further into the woods.
Pain seared through my leg as a thorny bush tore throughmy riding pants beneath my dress and straight into my flesh. I crumpled onto the forest floor, gripping my leg.
The fabric resisted as I tugged—it ripped free. I aimed my dagger at the beast. Its calculating stare measured me. Tears streaked my vision as my pulse quickened.
A man ran toward me.
“Enough!” His guttural voice boomed—the land rumbled with it. Unreadable chrome eyes studied me and the beast, both of us frozen at his command. His hand extended over the creature and golden light flowed from his fingertips, swirling in the space between them. “Stand down!”
The wind stilled.
His gaze fixated on mine despite the crouching beast before him. The golden light shifted and settled. His eyes widened.
“Please!” I cried.
His head turned, tilting slightly in its direction. Then I saw his pointed ears—more drastic than mine. This was their world, I was privy only to mercy if he granted it.
The fae and the creature paced—their dance steady. Each step he took was a calm beat. He raised his hand again, and beautiful, golden light flowed only for a heartbeat longer.
My unconditioned muscles betrayed me—useless and frozen. The world spun as I slumped back into a tree. The man slowed his dance, until he stood between us both.
He exhaled, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. Then stepped aside.
The creature pivoted closer to me, snarling.
“Please,” I cried again. “I need your help.”
His lips parted, but he said nothing.
Its dripping fangs were inches from my face. Clammy breath grazed my skin. I lunged to escape, and the creature’s claws reached me first, scraping through my flesh.
Cascading crimson painted my arm—pain seared through me, threatening to never release.
I pressed my palm into the gash, desperate to make the bleeding cease.
I closed my eyes—too exhausted to flee or defend.
My blood-drenched hand slid into the dirt, as I silently pleaded for anything, anyone, to help. Its breath thickened. The eerie sound crashed into me.
The creature bowed its head, its jade eyes peered into mine.
It stepped forward ready to conquer its prey. Then it stopped.
The creature quietly turned from me and fled back into the woods.
