Page 10 of Soul of Thorns
Rev
Ipull in a breathas Caelynn marches forward. It was only days ago she was dying in my arms. Only days ago, she willingly allowed her life to end because she thought it would help us. Help me.
Now, my stomach squeezes tightly as she rushes out into danger.
Even without knowing what enemies lie before her, there is very little doubt that she can handle herself just fine. She’s powerful. Determined. Capable.
To be perfectly honest, she’s stronger than I am. Though, admittedly, I have an advantage here. My magic works exceptionally well against the dark powers of the wraiths, the downside being it’s flashy and brings unwanted attention. But by simple raw strength, she has me beat.
So, I shouldn’t be nervous watching her walk toward a fight on her own. But I can’t help it. Dread constricts my lungs, suffocating me.
What if it’s a trap by the Night Terror? What if Caelynn purposefully allows herself to be harmed because she’s still convinced her death is the best way to aid this quest?
Gravel and ash cover the uneven ground, with high, stone-covered mountains towering over the pathway. Shadows shift between the hills. My eyes dart around. I often notice a shift in the stone, but when I look there is nothing amiss.
I inch forward, a few feet behind Caelynn as she disappears around the bend to our unknown adversary.
A dull snarl rumbles. Caelynn’s footsteps crunch over the gravel.
“Hello, beasty,” she says before I sight the beast she’s speaking to. A crunch, a crash, and a roar are followed by several more. Finally, the battle comes into full view and I see several wolves leaping at Caelynn, claws, and fangs first. Their rib bones are exposed, where slimy red patches of fur and flesh cling.
She spins, effortlessly avoiding the attack. Her blond hair falls free of it’s binding behind her head and flings as she twists. Her iron knife slices through a white wolf’s chest. It falls to the ground in a heap. She lands on one knee, her blade glinting with shimmering black blood.
Her eyebrow flicks, her expression smug and sexy as hell.
Three other wolves prowl forward, now wearier of their assailant.
“Run,” she whispers. “Or die.”
One wolf is a deep black with red glowing eyes. The other two are varying shades of brown, their eyes black as night.
These creatures are not wraiths. They are not even necessarily evil—though I suspect these lands corrupt anything living here for very long.
The wolves bare their teeth, and Caelynn smirks, her eyes harsh and wicked. I stand back, now confident in her ability. In her willingness to win this fight. I can see it in her eyes. She’s enjoying this.
My chest stirs with excitement watching her fight, watching her power and strength. Her slim body twisting with harsh yet elegant movements.
