Page 77 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

“Elara!”

I scramble up. The satchel slides down my arm. I stumble again as I bend to pick it up.

Ferria’s back instantly, grabbing my arm, dragging me after her. The creature snarls behind us. I glance over my shoulder. Bright-red eyes under the tattered hood lock on me like a predator who’s already chosen its kill.

We can’t outrun it. Not like this.

“We have to make it hesitate,” I pant and pull her to a stop. “Bring out your fire!”

Ferria throws out her hands, and blue and white flames come to life.

Incredible.

Ferria’s magic has always eclipsed mine. I can heal, a quiet, steady gift. But fire? Fire is wild. Destructive. Commanding. Control over an element like that… I know, now, that it’s something even the Fae can’t do.

My twin has always been impressive. But now I see her for what she truly is—powerful.

That truth blazes brighter than Ferria’s flames when the monster skidding toward us jerks to a halt, a guttural cry tearing from its throat at the sight of fire dancing in her palms. The flickering glow illuminates the monster’s wary eyes, but I don’t know how long it will be before it decides to take its chances with Ferria’s flames.

“What now?” Ferria asks, voice tight with panic.

We both shuffle backwards up the hill. Adrenaline masks the worst of the ache burning my legs.

“Get to the forge and barricade ourselves in.”

“You think a door will stop that thing?”

I take in the monster gnashing its teeth, red eyes blazing as it stares at Ferria’s hands. “It has to.”

We don’t have any other options.

Power tingles in my hands. The familiar hum would be reassuring except for the fact that I have nothing to show for it. No incredible manifestation of magic that will help us escape this beast.

The standoff continues. Ferria and I make our way closer to the forge while the creature pursues us with a much more cautious pace.

My heart threatens to pound out of my chest. Ten feet separate us from relative safety, a barrier to this beast of nightmares.

We can do this.

Then something shifts.

A loud, shrill cackle sounds from the forest.

My vision tunnels. For one sickening second, my mind goes blank—no thoughts, only the certainty that I need to run.

The shadow of another monster detaches from the tree line, its form swallowed in darkness. I can’t see its face. I can only hear the jagged cackles spilling from its throat—harsh, mocking, a rhythm meant to taunt.

The klarv pauses its pursuit and peers at the new beast. Then it grins.

Claws dig into the ground as the klarv scrambles after us, no longer afraid.

Ferria’s flames grow brighter, and she screams, “Go, Elara!”

Blurs of blue and white soar through the air, striking the creature, then two more fly toward the tree line where the second creature creeps.

I race for the forge.

Ferria’s boots slam against the ground, easily keeping up with my slower pace.