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Darren’s form solidified in front of them. “I did as you taught me, Raine. I scattered myself throughout the room. I’m sorry about Mark. He was protecting me. I was working on maps for the cougar and bear clans. They do not have a cartographer.”
Raine put his hand on Darren’s shoulder. “You did good. We can’t afford to lose you. You’re more important than a dozen warriors. I know it’s difficult for you to stand aside, but we need your skills now more than ever. Stay behind me and Dannika.”
Darren’s eyes flickered as he glanced at Dannika. “She’s more important than I am. She is our future. You understand that.”
Raine nodded. “I do, but she has an affection for you, and she is bad-tempered when she doesn’t get her way.”
Dannika gave him a dirty look that softened when she glanced at Darren. “Only because I like Darren better than you.”
Raine’s lips twitched. “I’ll have to work on that. In the meantime, we need to get Darren and you to the sanctuary.”
“What’s the sanctuary?” Dannika asked.
Darren smiled at her. “It’s where young shadows grow up. It’s where I grew up.”
Dannika sucked in a breath. “It’s a nursery. Where you keep the children.”
“Yes,” Raine said.
“Who is protecting the children?” Dannika asked.
“A father stays with his child until the fledgling passes the trials, but the sanctuary is protected. The reapers cannot enter the sanctuary.” Raine jogged down the tunnel. They passed two more dead shadows but didn’t stop to inspect the bodies.
Dannika lost all sense of time and direction as they zigzagged through the tunnels. Raine and Darren knew exactly where they were going, but Dannika would have given anything to have one of the 3D maps. Crying echoed in the tunnels before they reached the sanctuary.
The light source that illuminated the entrance to the sanctuary was in contrast to the dimly lit caves. It was impossible to see anything inside the brightly lit cavern designated for the youngest members of the clan, but the squeaky sobs filled her with trepidation, making her look for the source of their fear.
Raine held his hand out, halting their progression. “There should be a warrior here.”
Dark mist formed in the tunnel as growls echoed in her ear.
“Get inside the sanctuary!” Raine stepped between the dark mass and Dannika.
Dannika shoved Darren toward the Sanctuary, as she was hit from the side. Pain sliced across her cheek as she impacted the rock wall. Warm liquid trailed down her skin in a crimson caress. Her tongue snaked out to lick the blood from her lip as she turned to face a reaper with glowing red eyes.
She connected with her beast. The rush of adrenaline infused her blood, making her feel powerful. Invincible. The reaper reached for her, but she ducked and rolled away from it.
Raine fought two reapers in his shadow wolf form. Dark mist rolled off the alpha wolf, signifying his shadow was feeding his beast power. He ripped and tore at the reaper’s flesh. Black blood dripped from his muzzle and stained the clothing of the creatures he fought.
Her heart stuttered when two more reapers entered the tunnel.
She headed toward the sanctuary entrance. Another reaper blocked her path. He smiled at her, as if he knew her. There was something familiar about him, though she had never seen him before.
He turned as a shadow warrior entered the tunnel. The clan member was large and held a reaper blade in his hand.
The reaper winked at Dannika before he dissolved.
Dannika turned to warn the shadow warrior, but it was too late. Three reapers appeared behind him, biting into his neck. Black streaks appeared on his skin before he went to his knees. His face was a mask of horror and shock. The blade tumbled from his hand, embedding in the dirt below.
Dannika rolled forward, grabbed the knife, and slammed the blade into the side of a reaper feasting on the shadow wolf.
The reapers backed away, dropping the wolf clan member as the one she stabbed screamed.
The reapers red fiery eyes focused on her as claws dripping venom unsheathed from his knuckles.
She held the blade loosely in her hands, crouching down as a warm sensation raced up her arm.
A growl came from a corner encased in darkness. The reaper facing her, retracted his claws, but he kept his eyes on Dannika. He moved to the side, looking for an opening. She flinched when a scream echoed in the room.
