Page 33 of Burning Heir

“There’s something down there,” I whispered, eyeing over his tensed shoulder.

“Severyn, it’s a lake.” Damien furrowed his brows, and a silent plea dangled on his parted lips. “There is nothing in those waters. There are dark forces within the forests. They can mimic people you know. If anything, you’ll drown the moment you step inside.”

I choked out a loud breath as we got further from the lake. “I don’t know what happened.”

Damien shoved me aside as a faceless grey creature swiped at us with three long talons. Purple veins struck through its core, crackling like lightning behind dense smog. A visible, beating heart pulsed in its chest as it struck again. Two more beasts lunged out from the forest, their movements erratic and lethal. Damien unsheathed his sword, driving it straight into one of their cores.

Winged bones fluttered wildly. Rows of jagged fangs snapped inches from his face before black fluid spilled onto the ground. A guttural hiss escaped from the creature’s gaping mouth as it collapsed. Damien turned sharply, slicing into the second beast.

“We—we should run!” I screamed, my voice cracking.

Damien shot me a sideways glance, his silver sword poised. “When I said you fascinated me, Sev—I didn’t mean this.”

“I’m happy to disappoint you,” I retorted, taking a shaky step back. My eyes locked on Damien as he swung his blade again, slashing at the relentless beasts. “Now, let’s get the hell out of here!”

The creatures dropped to all fours, hissing as they hurled themselves toward us. We sprinted onto the trail, their wrinkled torsos slamming into the barrier like rain against a glass window, unable to breach the enchanted divide.

I collided with Damien’s chest, winded and disoriented. Staggering back, his hand shot out, gripping my shoulders to steady me as I trembled.

“What the hell were those things?” I yelled, breathless.

He dropped his hand, annoyance flashing across his face. “Damnit, what were you thinking? Rule one: never enter the forests unless you know you can defend yourself. A small dagger wouldn’t even scratch a death dweller’s skin.” His gaze flicked back toward the beasts, now retreating into the shadows.

“I heard a voice in my head,” I whispered, my throat tight. “It lured me there.”

“Not everything your mind hears is real,” he said, sheathing his sword with a sharp motion. “I’m not sure what you Winters do, but in Summer, we fear beasts like that.”

As we caught our breath, we continued walking along the trail. “It—it sounded real,” I muttered, my cheeks flushing with heat. The voice lingered in my mind, a raw and desperate whisper I couldn’t shake.

“You’ll have a nasty rash wherever those vines grabbed you,” Damien said, his tone casual, though his eyes scanned the trail ahead. “I bet plants don’t try to kill you in Winter?” He chuckled dryly.

“I think the cold would kill them before they grew limbs.” My voice wavered with unease as I noticed the weapons strapped to the other students passing by—daggers, swords, even spears. Nervousness prickled my skin. “I shouldn’t be here,” I murmured under my breath.

We reached the base camp for Summer, where twelve cabins stood in a clearing. Palm trees swayed gently in the warm breeze.The camp bustled with activity, students moving in groups. Some bore Spring marks on their palms, while others carried Autumn leaves etched into their skin.

“On trial and test days, there aren’t any rules about barriers,” Damien explained. “Just don’t wander into other trails alone. Most prefer their first kill to be from another realm—it eases the guilt.”

“Are you going to kill me?” I asked. “I’m too exhausted to run anymore.”

“Yes, Severyn. I risked my life to save you just so I could kill you moments later,” he said, his tone laced with dry sarcasm.

Malachi stepped into the campground. Two daggers sheathed around her slim ribcage, another around her calf. She grinned, waving me over. “I didn’t think you’d be in Summer today. How is your wrist?” she asked.

“Bridger is worse off than me.” I wiggled my fingers. “It feels better,” I said.

“Are you ready for your first trial?” she asked.

I was never good at lying. “No. I haven’t a clue what to expect.”

“Try to stay low profile. There is no sense in drawing attention to yourself when you can’t use your quell. The first trial is usually a lesson or riddle we must solve before the year ends. Don’t worry—you shouldn’t lose any blood today.”

Damien gestured to Malachi. “Hey, Mal. Long time no see.”

Malachi strummed her fingers across her arm. “I didn’t expect to seeyouhere. How was boarding school? I see they let you out early.”

Damien scoffed. “Good behavior. I see you got your enigma, a silver Daigthorn. I didn’t take you as a wyvern girl.”

“She is quite the creature.” Malachi tensed. “Severyn, any luck on finding yours?”

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