Page 42 of Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 7

He’s going to try and cut us off, Ryder! Grayson cried. They found a shortcut. It will bring them in front of us in five-hundred feet!

Damnit! Ryder hissed. Veer right! We need to get to the swamp, but we’ll have to go the long way!

Grayson banked to the right and let out a caw of dismay. How well can you and Khos swim?

Why? He knew the answer to that question the moment after he asked it as he smelled the water. How big is that lake? I assume it's a lake.

Big and deep, I think. I can see… oh, boy, there are Mer folk in it, Grayson said grimly, speaking of one of their old enemies in the Ever Dark. I don’t think it would be wise to put a paw in that water. They won’t take it kindly. Last thing we need is to have another group to fight.

The Mer folk were incredibly dangerous. As Ashyr, Grayson had faced off against them many times, but it had always ended in a draw. While Vampires had no need to breathe, fighting and moving underwater was simply not their strong suit. They’d come to an uneasy peace, which required each side to keep away from one another. So entering one of their lakes was not wise at all.

Maybe you should shift into that storm bird form again and grab Khos, Grayson suggested. Then we could get some real distance from Legion.

That will give away that I can take two forms, Ryder grimaced. But my strongest fledglings often could. Legion will not know for certain it is me.

They certainly seem intent on finding out! How are they moving so fast? Grayson gasped.

Ryder realized that he could hear the pounding of their feet behind him. But for them to be so close they would have had to cut the distance between them by half! That was impossible unless…

Grayson, can you see anything odd about them? Ryder asked, not sure exactly what Grayson would be able to see.

Ah… yes, yes, I do. There’s… there’s light beneath their paws, Grayson said in confusion. Oh, Kaly, you clever bastard! I think they are using soul gem energy to boost themselves.

Yes, they had some of that during the War, Ryder recalled. It required huge amounts of soul energy though. But Legion is Roan’s pet so he must be sharing some of his toys.

I think I need to shift and get us out of here. Not too far out of reach for them, Ryder cautioned. I don’t want them going back and sniffing where our friends were. They’ll recognize Tanis’ scent. But enough that we have more room to maneuver.

Good idea!

I’m going to need an open space again. Spot me a good place to shift.

Right!

Grayson flapped his wings as he soared higher and farther ahead, looking for a good spot. The thundering of their pursuers was growing closer. Ryder didn’t even dare glance back. He looked at Khos and saw his tongue hanging out, but this time with exertion rather than joy. He could not let anything happen to the sweet Dire Wolf. The thought of Legion, Lawson or Natasha taking Khos down and ripping open his throat flashed through his mind and his stomach curdled. He wouldn’t allow that to happen. He’d reveal himself to stop that from happening.

Found a spot! This way though it’s going to cut near Legion and the others! Grayson informed him.

Just get us there, Grayson. I’ll do the rest, Ryder said.

He put another spurt of energy into his long legs. He shared some of that energy with Khos who kept up. The smaller Dire Wolf had been slightly falling behind. He would not allow that. They soon burst through the trees they’d been running through to an open area that was just before the lake. It was definitely an active Mer folk area. He actually saw some of them out on the rocks in the middle of it. They became alert when they caught sight of him, Grayson and Khos.

Don’t worry. We’re not here to bother you. We’ll be on our way in moments.

He heard Legion howl in triumph, likely thinking they had trapped them by the water. But that was premature. Ryder felt his muscles tighten and then relax and keep relaxing. In half a second, he was no longer a Winter Wolf or any sort of wolf at all. He was mist that reformed into the storm bird. He was so low to the ground that his wings skimmed the sand. He plucked Khos up from the ground. The Dire Wolf didn’t even give out a yelp as he picked it up this time. It was no longer afraid knowing it was him.

He heard Legion howl again. This time not in triumph but in rage. He turned his head to look back at them, but before he caught sight of their massive, misshapen form, there was a blast of light and sound. Suddenly, Ryder’s wings were on fire. His head was spinning. He was spinning. He was crashing towards the water. Just as he was about to hit, he saw the Mer folk on the rocks with a weapon made of silver. And then the blackness of the water and unconsciousness hit him.

Turn

Charlie fought the old panic that told him to run. He would not run. He would not leave Fiona behind to save himself like Eyros had. They were in this together. He was done running. But Kaly still scared him though he was rather fond of Caemorn. Even a Kaly-slice scared him. And this one was powerful.

“How long?” Fiona’s voice was rushed and low like an angry river crashing over sharp rocks. “How long have you been squatting in Tanis’ body, Kaly?”

The Kaly-slice lifted a delicate eyebrow. “What if I told you I was in this body from the beginning?”

“I wouldn’t believe you!” Fiona hissed.

The Kaly-slice shrugged. “Believe what you will. Just know that you have loved me well over the years. Let that guide your actions now, Wyvern.”