Page 95 of Empire of Flame and Thorns

The panic inside my skull builds into a blaring crescendo as I dart from side to side, desperately trying to keep the tree between me and the death waiting for me.

Another roar of anger echoes from the beast’s throat. And instead of trying to run around the trunk to get to me, it charges right into it.

Wood cracks as the wolfbear slams its shoulder into the trunk. Leaves rain down around me. A cry of fear rips from deep inside me.

Yanking out my knife, I grip the hilt hard as the monster pulls back from the trunk again. My breathing comes in fits and starts as I stare at the massive beast before me. It bares its teeth at me, saliva dripping from the sharp canines. I drag in unsteady breaths.

The wolfbear charges.

Every instinct inside me is screaming at me to run. But I force myself to remain where I am. Right as the beast crashes into the trunk again, I leap to the side and swing my knife.

Wood cracks, sending chips flying. Branches rattle and roots groan as the tree tips backwards from the force of the hit.

I aim for the monster’s throat as I slam my blade down at it from the side.

The beast twists right at the last second, and my knife buries itself in the animal’s shoulder instead.

The wolfbear roars in pain.

Gasping in shock and fear, I stumble backwards, yanking the knife out again.

Another roar tears from its throat. It swings its head from side to side, swiping madly with its paw. I use that brief moment of pain and disorientation to escape.

Whipping around, I sprint away between the trees.

My pulse thrums so fast in my ears that I can barely hear anything over the loud pounding of my own heart and my own ragged breaths. Ramming the knife back into its sheath, I throw out both hands in front of me and shove at the vines and thorns that are trying to block my way. The thorns slice at my arms, but I don’t dare to stop.

A tiny sprout of hope manages to flicker in my chest for one second when the forest behind me remains silent.

Then it’s promptly crushed and drowned in a cold black lake of fear and desperation as the wolfbear roars and charges after me again.

I yank vines out of my way while a whimper of terror rips from deep within me. Heavy thuds close in on me from behind. I sprint with everything I have while desperation rips through my whole soul. My feet pound against the ground. But the wolfbear keeps gaining on me. Fast.

The thick tangle of trees abruptly gives way to a clearing. I sprint into it while whipping my head from side to side, trying to find something that will protect me. On the other side of the clearing, a twisting nest of thin trees and vines rise up like a wall.

Hope surges through me again.

If I can just get there, I’ll be able to weave through the narrow spaces. But the wolfbear is too big. It will get stuck in the clearing.

My lungs burn as I race towards the safety of the tree wall.

Wood snaps behind me.

I cast a glance over my shoulder right as the wolfbear crashes into the clearing after me.

With my heart slamming against my ribcage, I sprint with everything I have.

But it’s not enough.

The beast leaps.

Diving forward, I throw myself flat against the root-covered ground right as the wolfbear flies past above me. My hair whips in the wind that its massive form creates.

It slams into the ground in front of me. I leap to my feet right as it spins around to face me.

Dread and terrible hopelessness wash over me as I stare into its yellow eyes. We’re right in the middle of the clearing, and the massive beast now stands between me and the safety of the thick foliage wall on the other side.

Channeling my magic, I try to force it to feel tired or bored or anything at all. But it’s useless.

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