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“I think south-west is our best chance,” I replied, then guided my horse toward the left, hoping to find a road along the way that curved further south.
“That’s where the armies are,” Will pointed out as we left the small village behind us.
“I believe it is the last place they’d think we would go.” It was a gamble for sure, but I hoped it would throw them off our trail if we were being followed. After our corridor fight, I didn’t think Captain Rekker would just forget about it. I’d stabbed the man in the chest, so he’d send men after us for sure.
Nightfall enveloped the land in complete darkness while we rode. If I hadn’t heard the clipping of Will’s horse’s hooves, I would have thought I was alone at least for human companionship. As the full moon began to rise into the sky, more eyes appeared in the woods, reflecting the light and making the normal sounds of the forest too quiet.
The predators remained watchful, and I was curious about their behavior. Either they were used to humans, or they were waiting for the right opportunity to attack. Just in case, I pulled the bow off my shoulders and nocked an arrow, keeping it ready in case they decided to do more than watch.
An hour or so ride from the village, we came to a fork in the road. I chose the left path that would take us in the southwestern direction we needed to go. Will followed, showing signs of fatigue, and I frowned. He needed to rest to further heal, but we were still too close to the village for my liking. We’d ride for another hour of two, then stop to rest for the night.
The first sign of trouble was a downed tree that lay across the road. It was small and the horses easily stepped over it, so I thought nothing of it until we encountered a second, much bigger tree. Drag marks could clearly be seen in the dirt, which meant the trunk had been placed recently.
Forced to stop, I studied the log from a distance, then motioned for Will to remain there while I took a closer look. My horse started forward carefully, and I noticed his ears rotating, listening to the sounds around us. I kept an eye on them because my ears weren’t picking up anything.
A growl sounded from my right and I turned, bringing my bow up, ready to pull back and fire. Nothing moved in the trees, but then a shadow jumped from the corner of my eye. Quickly, I swiveled back, pulling the string and taking aim at a massive wolf that had jumped onto the tree laying across the road.
Yellow eyes flashed in the darkness, narrowing on me as its jowls lifted, revealing teeth as long as my fingers. Startled, I sucked in a breath, steadying my hand and my resolve, but before I could act on any of it the wolf blurred. I blinked watching as human skin replaced fur, wolf legs became arms, the animal receding to become human.
Shocked, and fascinated, I watched as the wolf became a man, not realizing until his eyes met mine that I recognized them.
“Hello, Lady Arrow,” Captain Rekker greeted, smiling at me with entirely too many teeth.
I didn’t hesitate. My arrow sliced the air, flying toward him. He dodged the projectile like I knew he would, but while he was tracking and dodging, I drew a knife and threw it. Not expecting a second weapon to be thrown, my knife razed his face, notching his ear.
“Will, run!” I yelled, turning my horse around to follow him as he retreated.
A snarl ripped through the air, causing our horses to spook and pick up speed. My legs squeezed around it, and I concentrated on nocking another arrow while watching Will and his horse.
A growl from my right drew my attention, and I caught a flash of a huge creature with silver eyes before it disappeared.
Returning my eyes forward, I watched as another creature moved fast toward Will, leaping from the ground and knocking him clean off his saddle. He hit the ground hard, rolling from the momentum while the wolf landed on its feet. Heart racing, I yanked the reins and jumped to the ground, firing at the white wolf with glowing orange eyes as it prowled toward Will, who lay unmoving.
My arrow struck it in the chest, but it continued toward Will, saliva dripping from its massive teeth. I drew a knife and shouted, drawing its attention away from Will. It spared me a glance before it pounced on my cousin with a snarl.
“No!” I shouted, sprinting for the creature and shoving it off Will.
It rolled away, snapping the arrow sticking out if it’s chest. When it staggered to its feet, eyes intent on me while its jaw snapped, I drew a dagger wrapping my hand around the hilt and letting it settle in my palm. Its familiar weight brought calm.
The wolf charged, snarling and flinging blood and saliva everywhere. When it was within arm’s reach I dropped to my knees, punching my left fist into its chest—right where my arrow had struck it. The wolf barked a high-pitched sound. It staggered away but I followed, knowing I had to end this quickly before it had the chance to come at me again.
My dagger sliced through its throat, cutting off a painful whine. It collapsed, red coating the white fur while the glow in its eyes dimmed then died completely.
Running toward Will, I found him breathing but out cold. The horses were no longer there, and I hoped they hadn’t come to a bloody end.
I glanced over at the white wolf and shrieked when I saw it had disappeared, replaced by the body of a naked woman with white-blond hair. I swallowed, recognizing her from the contingent of ladies that had arrived at the castle. That made two Bruralians I’d killed.
Unable to look at her naked form any longer, I closed my eyes, knowing it was at my hands that her life had ended.
The snap of a branch had my eyes flying open and my hand gripping the hilt of my still bloody dagger. The first wolf that had changed into Captain Rekker stood opposite me, teeth on full display, and a growl rumbling from his chest.
Without hesitation, I crouched over Will’s body, ready to fight him again. An animal growl escaped him, and he threw his head like he was directing someone to me. When hands grabbed me, I realized he’d brought back up. They clamped down on my arms with so much force that I could feel my bones bending. My dagger was wrenched from my fingers and tossed away; my body pulled away from Will.
I struggled, kicking and screaming as Captain Rekker changed from an animal into a man again. A very naked man and I astutely kept my gaze above his waist.
“Get away from him,” I snarled, nearly sounding like an animal myself.
“I’ve been after him for a while now. I commend you for protecting him,” he sneered, leaning down and sniffing Will’s hair.
