Page 46 of Realm of Nightmares
Even themabvstalisfroze, not daring another step.
The wind died.The rain ceased.
And the only noise Maeve could hear was the erratic beating of her own heart. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Rowan through the heavy mist. The glint of his lavender eyes met hers and he pressed a finger to his lips.
Needles of apprehension dug their way into her spine. She knew this feeling, recognized the sensation.
They were being watched.
Muscles clenched, her gaze tore through the fog, tracking any slip of movement. Impenetrable clouds veiled the woods, masking all sight and amplifying every sound. Her breath came in short, ragged intervals. She’d read about the creatures that lurked in the woods of the Ether. Dire wolves that tore every ounce of flesh from their victim’s bones. Kelpies that lurked in the dark rivers, waiting to drown unsuspecting travelers who stopped to rest. All manner of nightmarish beasts.
To her left, a branch snapped, followed by a low, menacing snarl.
“Rowan.” His name spilled from her lips on a hoarse whisper.
Rowan stole a glance behind them. “Go! Now!”
Uncertainty left her reeling. She had no idea where to go or how to get back to the House of Death. Swiveling in her seat, panic caused her throat to close. “Which way?”
“Justgo!”
Maeve bent down, urging themabvstalisforward. “Bailh.”
Themabvstalissurged into the wall of mist as the Old Laic word for “home” rolled off Maeve’s tongue. Blindly, they raced to the forest’s edge and Maeve pressed herself close to the beast’s neck, its furling mane of silver flames ensconcing her. They hurtled through the maze of indistinct trees and elongated shadows, weaving in and out of the fog banks and narrowly avoiding low-hanging branches.
But no matter how fast themabvstalisstreaked through the dull landscape, the click and hiss of gnashing jaws filled her ears, pebbling her skin with goosebumps. Wet growls followed them, driving them further into the claws of imminent disaster.
Understanding clicked into place.
They were beingherded.
No sooner had the condemning thought infiltrated her mind than themabvstalisskidded to a halt, and a horrifying noise erupted from the poor creature.
Sickly yellow eyes cut to her, at least eight pairs. The beasts moved within the mist, stalking Maeve, predator to prey. A pack of dire wolves hedged her in—but these were not the striking, solitary creatures she’d caught glimpses of in Kells. These were hulking, monstrous animals.
Their sleek, muscular frames were coated with black and gray fur, streaked with tufts of white. Saliva dripped from fangs the length of daggers, and their vicious jaws were matted with splotches of crimson. Claws dug into the ground, kicking up dirt, as their broad shoulders bunched, preparing to attack. Maeve’s mouth fell open, but the scream lodged somewhere in the back of her throat.
One of the dire wolves lunged for themabvstalis.
“No!” Maeve cried, but themabvstalisreared onto its back hooves, throwing her off.
She flew through the air and pain exploded up her spine as she smacked the ground. Her head snapped, connecting with the solid earth, and dizzying stars swarmed her vision. She sucked in a breath, wincing as a sharp, stabbing ache exploded from somewhere near her ribs.
Maeve rolled, wheezing, and planted her hands on the ground. Damp, wet earth stuck under her nails as she heaved herself up, struggling to get to her feet.
Another fiendish growl emerged from somewhere off to her left and a puff of hot, rancid breath coated her face.The dire wolf leapt at her, and Maeve screamed, dropping low and ducking out of the way to avoid the glaring swipe of its claws.
Magic exploded from her in a powerful burst that ricocheted through her from her toes to the tips of her fingers. Flames of burning white and fiery scarlet scorched the earth, rising around her, setting fire to the world. Sparks rained down around her, the blood magic of fire, of her mother, creating an inferno that sent the dire wolves hulking back into the shadows. A cacophony of howls and yelps resounded in her ears as the scent of charred flesh and burnt fur filled her nostrils. She tried not to retch.
A flash of teeth blurred before her and something hard slammed into her, shoving her to the side. The gaping jaw of the dire wolf snapped shut, clamping down on only air instead of the flesh of her throat.
Her ribcage was on fire, each breath like a blade as she struggled to gain her bearings. Sprawled on the ground again, Maeve glanced up to see themabvstalisstanding over her, protecting her.
The remaining wolves showed the mythical being no mercy, swiping and clawing at it, taking turns pouncing and sinking their ironclad fangs into its skin. Hungry growls filled her ears and Maeve scrambled back, gaping in shock as themabvstaliscrumpled beneath the pack.
Another rush of magic coursed through her, like the spark of kindling igniting a bonfire. Power welled inside of her, a deep spring of pulsing energy channeling the blood of her veins, flowing through her with a force so passionate, her knees nearly buckled. The tattoos marking her body glowed, the rosy hue of them glimmering like a beacon.
But just as quickly as the magic soared, it plummeted. She spiraled with it, crashing down, as the once vivacious pull of her power sputtered, then dwindled down to nothing more than a dull thrum.
