Page 39 of Bound to the Orc Hunter

“Bah.” She tosses her mane. “They’renothinglike the wonder that is a unicorn.”

I chuckle. “Keep going. We need to find out what’s coming.”

Instead of answering directly, Aurora puts on a burst of speed.

I clutch Grace to me, pushing down on the stirrups to lift us both from the saddle so we don’t impact the unicorn’s back. Leaning forward, I tighten the grip of my knees.

Pine branches slap my bare face and hands with stinging needles, and I tuck my bride farther into the protection of my body, curling around her.

Another howl, closer this time, sounding like it came from ahead, though it’s difficult to be sure, moving as we are.

We break through another stand of trees to ride out into a small meadow, the tops of the long grass blown sideways by wind until it ripples like water.

Aurora pulls to a halt, and I slide from her back, lifting Grace down. “Go hide in the trees.”

“What? No! I feel safer with you.”

An overwhelming need to protect rises in me, one that doesn’t want to listen to reason, even though she makes an excellent point. If we’re facing multiple ogres or kelpies, they love to send a few of their number to circle around and attack from behind.

“All right,” I grit out. “But stay with either me or Aurora.”

She nods.

I settle my sword belt into place and unsling my bow, pulling an arrow as I do so. Bow nocked and ready, I ask Aurora, “Can you tell where the howl came from?”

“There.” She jabs her horn northeast, almost in a straight line with the direction we’d been traveling.

I grunt and face forward, searching the trees on the far side of the meadow. “I wish I knew what was coming.”

“Too bad we’re not back at the Ferris wheel,” Grace says, shooting Aurora a glance. “It would be pretty handy right about now to go up in it and take a look.”

“I still say that infernal thing is exactly what’s bringing this trouble straight to us.”

My bride’s wide mouth presses into a flat line, but she doesn’t disagree.

Another howl echoes from the trees, far closer this time.

“It’s definitely a cu sith,” I say. Which means the real question is what’s making it run in this direction, giving analarm call. For all my friend’s dismissive words, the canine fae are strong warriors, known for their bravery and loyalty.

My fingers tighten on the arrow.

The forest spreads thickly before us. Anything going on under the shade of the heavy tree canopy is well hidden, even in the strong morning sun.

But none of that matters. I don’t need to see what’s happening on the ground to know the trouble we face.

My heart thumps double time, shooting blood to my muscles as they tighten in anticipation of battle.

Because multiple flocks of sluagh appear over the treetops in a black thundercloud of malevolence.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Grace

“Are those the same things that attacked me when I first got here?” I shiver. They didn’t hurt me that much—Branikk stopped them before they could—but I remember the creepy feeling of malice they exuded. “Should I make another Ferris wheel?” It’s the only thing I’m sure my magic will make… if it works right. “Will it confuse them?”

“I doubt it. The soul stealers are attracted to living things,” Branikk says. “We’re their prey. As amazing as your creations are, it doesn’t have a soul for them to eat.”

Yep. Those things are hella creepy.

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