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“Quick,” I whispered. “We have to move fast.”
The sharp scent of pine filled my nostrils as we made our way through the woods, the leaves rustling beneath our feet.
Each step was a mix of fear and determination, and with Madison by my side, I felt an unwavering resolve.
Behind us, shouts erupted as Onshev and his men discovered our absence.
But we were already disappearing into the dense foliage, driven by the need to survive and the hope of a future whereour love could flourish without the shadow of Onshev looming over us.
As we threadedour way deeper into the woods, my heart felt like it might break through my chest.
The distant shouts behind us were a reminder that our freedom was fragile.
Madison’s fingers, warm and smooth, intertwined with mine, giving me strength.
Our pace was quick, but the looming danger behind us made every moment feel suspended in time.
We finally stumbled upon a small clearing.
Aznai, sweat glistening on his bruised face, looked at me with desperation. “We need a plan, Lorik. We can’t just keep running blindly.”
Madison nodded, her usual confidence strained. “Onshev knows these woods better than we do. We can’t risk getting trapped.”
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh, pine-scented air, trying to clear my mind.
I hissed at the lingering bitterness of betrayal from the farmer and hear the distant murmurs of Onshev’s men, growing fainter but ever present.
We discussed several options.
Hiding until nightfall was one, but we didn’t know the woods well enough to find a safe hiding spot.
Doubling back to confuse them was another, but it was risky and would likely only buy us a little time.
I rana hand over my face, feeling the slight roughness of my skin, and then an idea struck me.
I remembered the bag of Anto’skar we had discovered in the barn.
“The crystals,” I said, excitement bubbling in my voice. “Madison, give me your piece.”
She did, and I held one each in the palm of my hand.
The crystals seemed to pulse with a light of their own, casting an eerie glow over Madison’s face.
“I sure hope I don’t have to use them,” I said. “Come on. Let’s see if we can escape them.”
We ran as fast as we could, racing between the tall trees.
But soon, the distant shouts grew closer.
We collapsed against a tree.
“It’s no good,” Aznai said. “They’re too fast. You go on ahead. I’ll hold them off.”
I shook my head and snorted. “They beat you last time. Next time, they will take your life.”
He looked at me levelly. “It will be a good death.”
I placed my hand on his arm. “I cannot allow you to do that. You are my man, and I will decide how to spend your life.”
