Page 77 of Restored

“There have been multiple sightings of Kerolu and Dire wolves near our borders. Highly unusual. I’m sure it’s nothing to be worried about, but to be safe, the prince requested we escort you back.”

Fear skitters up my spine, rooting in the pit of my stomach as unease fills my body. I can’t seem to shake it as we make our way back to the castle.

I fidget with the paper flower, chewing the edge of my nail. I avoid Mia’s gaze as it flits from the flower to my face curiously.

“Are you alright, Layla?” she finally asks as we walk back to the castle.

“Yes, I’m fine.” The answer couldn’t be further from the truth, but I don’t know what else to say. “I’m rather tired, so I think I will call it a night.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, thank you for the lovely outing. I didn’t realize how much I’ve hungered for a friend like you. Truly.” I mean every word. It’s difficult to imagine a world without her, and my chest aches at the thought.

Mia’s arms wrap around me, and I return her embrace. “I feel much the same. Sleep well, Layla.” With that, she leaves me.

Sleep doesn’t come easy that night. I lay staring at the paper rose illuminated by the light of the moon. I toss and turn, my body restless, my mind alight with worry. I swear I hear a howl pierce the quiet of the night.

When I do find sleep, my dreams are plagued with visions of snapping teeth, razor-sharp claws, and agonized screams.

The clangingof alarm bells sounds early the next morning. The floor vibrates with the pounding of feet. I scurry to the door, throwing it open, hearing commotion. Ledger rushes down the hallway, barking out orders, and I bound for him.

“What is going on?” I jog to keep up with his long strides.

“There has been a breach, and reports of Kerolu and Dire Wolves in the town center.”

My stomach drops. I picture the townspeople, all the children. “I want to help.”

“You should stay back until we get it under control. We will need you for the injured. I’ll send for you whenit is safe.”

“I will come now. I will not sit idly by while your people are in danger.”

Ledger clenches his jaw. His nostrils flare as he breathes a sigh of frustration. “I expected nothing less.” He reaches into his coat and pulls out two impressive, sheathed daggers, shoving the hilts into my hands. “Protect yourself; remember your training.”

The horses are saddled and waiting for us as we exit the castle. Mia, Archie, and Orion all rush to their horses along with many castle soldiers.

I jump on Apollo with Ledger, and we race to the town center. The world blurs by us in a whirlwind of colors. When we reach town, it is mayhem.

People are screaming and running, there are carts knocked down and blood in the street. There are Kerolu and Dire Wolves everywhere. The townspeople and soldiers fight them off the best they can.

When we jump off Apollo, Ledger pauses for a moment, turning to me. “I do not want to see any of your blood spilled today.”

“Well, that makes two of us.” I push past him and run; my attention is directed at a man struggling with a nasty-looking Kerolu.

I whip out my dagger and take a breath before loosing it. To my absolute surprise, it meets its mark, sinking deep into the creature’s skull. The Kerolu drops with a thud, and I waste no time retrieving my dagger.

I open my mouth to ask the man if he is okay when his eyes widen, and he scrambles up, turning and running. I whip my head around to see a terrifying Dire Wolf charging towards me.

It is huge, its fur is mangey, and white foam drips from its jowls.

Panic laces through me as I throw my blood-slicked dagger at the running creature. It misses, whizzing past its head. I don’t have time to reach for my powers; it’s too close. My feet scrape against cobblestones as I try to scurry away from the pursuing beast, but there is nowhere to run. I brace myself for impact as the enormous wolf crashes into me.

I fly backward, hitting the building behind me. My head cracks off the wood, and the hit reverberates through my skull.

My vision blurs as I grapple to find my other dagger. The creature stalks towards me, a low growl vibrating the air and making my hair stand on end.

A large rock lays on the ground next to me and I close my palm over it. I clutch the smooth stone in my hand while inching myself to stand. The muscles in the beast’s legs twitch as it prepares to lunge at me. I crouch, gritting my teeth and readying myself to fight. The beast lunges and before it makes contact, Cam materializes in front of me. His sword pierces through the wolf’s skull.

Cam yanks his sword out of the creature’s head, and my thrown dagger floats over to me, suspended in midair. “Youcan thank us later,” Archie shouts from a few feet away, grinning.

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