Page 28 of A Lick of Flame

As we cautiously move toward the creature, the hy-wolves growl menacingly in the distance. The darkus seems to recognize our intentions because its eyes soften. It remains still, allowing us to get closer.

Kakara be thanked.

With every step we take, the anticipation builds within me, and my pulse races. I know in my heart that it’s the right thing to do, so I shove my fear aside. We slowly close the small distance between us and the creature, not wanting to spook it. The beast has its injured foot off the ground.

“You’re safe. We’ve got you,” I tell the darkus, using a soothing tone.

We carefully examine the stone lodged tightly in its hoof.

“It isn’t great,” Orion observes, his voice tinged with concern. “I see bruising.”

A hy-wolf howls, and the darkus snorts, the whites of its eyes suddenly visible.

“He’s afraid. We need to hurry. They’re getting closer,” I say.

“So you can speak darkus now?” He grunts as he tries to free the stone.

“No, but I can read animals. We had quite a few of them on the farm. My father was good with them. He taught me how to—” Why am I telling him this? It’s probably nerves. I stop talking. “Never mind.”

“Gods’ teeth, but it’s wedged in there. I don’t want to make it worse. If I could only—” He’s on his knees and struggling to get a good angle. “I need to get underneath his foot. And I need to do it blind since my powers are not working at all.”

“We’re doing fine without your powers,” I tell him.

Orion nods in agreement. “I’m not sure how. He’s clearly desperate, though. That must be it. Poor thing.” Then he widens his eyes. “I’m going to have to take a risk to help him. You keep him calm, please.”

The darkus rumbles like he knows what Orion just said.

“I will do my best,” I say, my heart just about beating out of my chest.

12

Orion

I pull in a deep breath and then slide under the cloven hoof of the beast. From this angle, he is more enormous than ever. If he puts his huge foot down, I am doomed. I have to trust that he understands that I am helping him. That it is in his best interest for me to do this.

I am shocked to find that I trust the beast. I don’t think he would willingly hurt me.

I can’t form any mind connection. I’m going on instinct here. I’m working blind as far as my magic is concerned, but I’ve got this.

“Easy,” the human says. She is stroking the fur of his other leg. She is a natural with animals because the darkus does relax. I hear it in his breathing, which slows.

Using the knife, I grip the huge cloven hoof in one hand, and with the other, I try to pry the stone free. It takes several tries before it finally comes loose. Then, it takes another hard shove with the knife before it is out. It drops to the ground beside me with a loud thud.

“There!” I yell, sliding out from under the creature.

It makes a low rumble, putting its foot down gingerly before lifting it again as if to test it. It makes another rumbling noise, deeper this time, and then bows its great head, breathing out twice in my face.

“I think that must mean thank you,” the human says.

I get a whisper of emotion coming from the beast. I feel its gratitude and joy for just a split second. Just a whisper, but it is there, and then the darkus is bounding off into the darkness of the night. It moves fast and far more silently than before.

“We did it.” The female laughs. I find that I am grinning.

The hy-wolves go from making yipping and growling noises to howling in anguish.

“I think they know they’ve lost a meal,” she says.

“I think so, too.” I am still grinning. It feels good.

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