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But this creature does not care; it wants to end her life.
I gasp for breath and rise to my feet, scurrying quickly to position myself between her and the animal. But it’s no use, the thing leaps toward her at a rate faster than I could ever manage.
I watch in horror, her arms lowering and shielding herself from impact. But the impact never comes.
Seconds before the thing makes contact, another creature barrels through the clearing and slams into the wolf’s side, tossing it away. Just when I think the worst has yet to come, Wren’s savior turns toward her and releases a heavy breath.
“What are you doing here?” the familiar person asks.
Wren takes her in, her eyes scanning the dull-blue woman standing in front of her. “Pippa,” Wren sighs and throws her arms around the person. “You’re alive.”
Pippa hugs Wren back, her trunk wrapping around Wren’s small torso. “Barely.”
Wren releases her and holds her at an arm’s length. “Where’s Lo?” She scans the direction Pippa just came.
Pippa slowly shakes her head. “He didn’t make it.”
The wolf that Pippa tackled whimpers and struggles to get to its feet.
I rush over, my sights settling on the claw marks on Wren’s arm. “You’re hurt.”
Wren shrugs, not at all bothered by the bleeding wound. “It’s fine.”
No doubt another lie. But because things could have been a lot worse, I decide to let it go for now.
I rip at the bottom of my shirt until I’ve pulled off a long, thin strip of fabric. Without Wren’s consent, I secure it around her biceps to stop the continued bleeding. Wes can tend to it once we have returned home.
“I’m so sorry, Pippa,” Wren tells her but glances over at the wolf. “Who’s the mutt?”
“That’s Gary. He’s a bit of a hot head.” Pippa points to her neck but looks at Wren’s. “That thing is sending out a massive signal.”
Wren grazes her fingers over it briefly. “Yeah. That was kind of the point. I guess I just didn’t think it through fully.” She scans Pippa’s dirty face. “What’s stopping you from tearing me apart?”
Pippa forces a smile and reaches out to touch Wren’s shoulder. “I know you’re not the enemy.”
Wren puts her hand on top of Pippa’s. “I just need to convince the rest of the demonic population of that, too.”
Pippa steps in front of Wren when Gary saunters over. “I’ll snap your neck if you touch her again.” Pippa glances behind her. “I owe Wren my life, and if you’re going to make me cash that in today,” she turns back toward the wolf. “Then so be it.”
Gary whimpers and lowers his fur-covered head in submission.
“Fill me in,” Wren tells Pippa. “What’s happened since I saw you last?” Wren glances down at her compass. “Mind if we walk this way while we talk?”
“Sure.” Pippa steps past Gary but remains at Wren’s side.
I lead up the rear, keeping myself between Wren and her attacker. I won’t be too much of a diversion, but maybe it’ll be enough to allow Pippa to save Wren if Gary decides to go after her again.
“Things have worsened,” Pippa says. “Many demons were killed in that poison fog at Rockbridge. Those of us that escaped sought refuge together, but it wasn’t long until Parla and her soldiers sniffed us out. It was like she could track us somehow.”
“I wonder if she put trackers in the prisoners without their knowledge. Or slipped something into the food. We had to eat at some point, so it would almost guarantee that she could slip it into our system.”
“There’s no telling but I wouldn’t be surprised.” Pippa steps over a log and continues walking. “They keep taking us out. One by one. It won’t be long before they’ve won.” She laughs dryly and puts her hands out in front of her. “What a prize.”
Wren lets out a breath. “She’s sick and twisted. Parla won’t stop until she’s killed every last person who disagrees with her way of life.” She glances over at Pippa. “Speaking of, where can I find her?”
Pippa’s shoulders rise and fall. “Beats me. I tend to try to avoid her. You know, the whole self-preservation thing.”
“Understandable.”
