“Unlike the caves, the woods aren’t warded, so I’ll be able to vaporate. Don’t stray any further than arm’s reach, understand?”
“Got it,” I agree with a nod.
“See you guys in a couple of days,” Ryder says to the others as he wraps his arms around me.
A breath later, I open my eyes to find a dark forest with twisted trees. The dense fog only adds to the unsettling feeling creeping up my spine.
“Which way?”
I notice a light tug, calling me to go left and point down the thick forest. “That way.”
As we follow the path, crows caw overhead. These trees are nothing like the ones back in the realms. Instead of standing straight, they curve into thick arches and circles, wrapping around one another. Dark green patches of moss coat the branches that are sparse with leaves. The fog and haze make it impossible to see too far ahead. Within the first five minutes, I’ve already stepped into a puddle of muddy water and stumbled over a raised tree root. At this rate, it’ll be a miracle if I make it the whole way without face-planting.
As we take in our surroundings, neither of us says anything. Each time a crow sounds, my heart jumps a little. Every so often I hear bustling in the distance and hold my breath until I’m convinced nothing is going to pop out.
“How are you feeling?” Ryder eventually asks, breaking up the silence.
I’m taken aback by his question. I really haven’t allowed myself to think much about how I feel.
“Honestly? I’ve kept a lock on my emotions. Part of me is worried we won’t be able to find the Oracle or that it won’t give me the answers to my questions. I’d rather not get my hopes up.”
“I can understand that.”
“Have you been in these woods before?” I ask, eager to change the subject.
“Once, many years ago.” He looks down at me with a strained expression. “Let’s just say it was a very unpleasant experience.”
“Not that I’m ungrateful, but why did you agree to bring me here? It’s not like you owe me anything.”
“Aside from my own curiosity, you deserve to get some answers.” He stops walking and turns to me. “And despite what you may believe, I’m in your corner.”
“Well, thank you. I can’t say I trust you, but you’ve earned some points,” I tease in an effort to lighten the serious mood.
“Oh, thank The Mother!” Ryder sighs dramatically. “How many am I at now? Between taking you to the caves, teaching you how to create a flaming sword, giving you the book to translate the letter, taking you to the lake, and now this, I should be sitting pretty.”
“You might be if you didn’t also kick my ass in training, leave me to wonder if you’d come back at the cliffs, interrupt my alone time on the roof, and have an incessant need to know how I feel.”
“Fair enough,” he shrugs. “I enjoy a good challenge.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” I turn to him, and he laughs.
It’s weird to think that less than a year ago Ryder was someone I feared, and here we are engaging in playful banter. I still have my guard up around him, but every once in a while, I find myself lowering it just slightly. Neither of us have had the easiest upbringing, and there’s a sort of comfort in that. Despite everything he has been through, there’s a part of me that is impressed he doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps. But even though his father is a cruel and vile ruler, he is still his father at the end of the day. The internal battle he must constantly fight is one that I don’t envy.
I catch only a glimpse of panic on Ryder’s face before I’m knocked to the ground. Drool drips onto my cheek as theenormous beast bares its razor-sharp teeth inches from my face.
“Ryder!” I scream his name, but from the sound of it he has his hands full.
My forearms ache as the beast’s paws pin me in place. The curved claws dig deeper into my skin, and I release an ear-shattering scream. If it had wanted to, it could’ve taken my head off by now, but it seems to want to draw out my death. I flip my head to both sides but can’t see Ryder anywhere.
A snap of its jaw turns my attention back to the creature. From what I can see, it appears to be some kind of chimera, but it’s hard to tell. Its face reminds me of a lion, but there are two horns protruding where ears should be. The beast’s fur-covered tail strokes my cheek, and I flinch at the touch. It seems pleased with my reaction, feeding off of my fear.
I try to pull my arm from its grip, but the weight is too much. It leans in and our eyes meet, stopping my heart completely. Just as it opens its deadly jaw, shadows lash around, pulling me from beneath the beast. I’m still on the ground when I see its body split into two, falling away from each other like a slice of bread cut from a loaf.
Ryder breaks my view when he crouches down in front of me. His eyes dart around my body.
“Let me see,” he orders, sticking out his hands.
I put my arms out in front of me, and it’s the first time I’ve seen the wounds for myself. Blood trickles down the deep gashes on both of my forearms. My black jacket has been completely shredded where the claws cut through.
