Page 16 of Primal Call

Jasper looked like he was summing up his courage, his jaw tightening as he considered Kyral's words. Finally, he asked, "Is that… really all you want from me?"

Kyral growled low in his throat, stepping closer so Jasper could see the sincerity — and irritation — in his eyes. "I may be an outcast," he said, voice firm and unwavering, "but I'm not so low that I'd take someone by force."

Jasper flinched slightly at Kyral's intensity but held his ground. The wariness in his eyes didn't disappear completely, but there was a hint of shame there too. He nodded slowly. "Okay. I understand."

Kyral grunted in approval and folded the map back into its well-worn creases. He tucked it into his coat and turned toward the path ahead. They had a long journey before them and no time to waste.

"Let's move," Kyral ordered, setting off with Zee by his side.

Jasper followed closely behind, the oversized coat still awkward on his slender frame but providing much-needed warmth against the biting wind.

As they trekked through the rugged terrain, Kyral couldn't help but steal glances at Jasper. There was something about the human's presence that unsettled him — something he couldn't quite put into words.

The human was an unexpected complication in his already complicated life. Kyral had spent years alone, relying only on Zee and his own wits.

Now, he had to consider another being's safety — a fragile human who barely knew how to navigate these harsh lands.

Kyral shook his head, frustration bubbling up inside him. This hunt for treasure was supposed to be a solo endeavor. A way to reclaim some semblance of control over his life, to gather enough wealth to finally find some peace.

But now he had a human tagging along. He'd never planned for that.

The image of his ex-teammates flashed through his mind — Skarn, Vorat, and Zorax. They were after the same treasure, driven by greed and a ruthless desire to best him once more. They wouldn't hesitate to do whatever it took to get there first, even if it meant eliminating him from the equation entirely.

He couldn't let that happen.

Gritting his teeth, Kyral tightened his grip on the map. He had to stay ahead of them, had to find the hidden valley before they did.

There was no room for error or hesitation.

They would make it.

They had to.

Chapter seven

Jasper's footsteps crunched through the frost-laden underbrush, each step feeling heavier than the last. The cold air bit at his cheeks, making him acutely aware of every exposed inch of skin.

He cast a furtive glance at Kyral, who seemed impervious to the biting chill, moving with a grace that belied his size.

Kyral’s rugged features stood out against the stark backdrop of Vasz's alpine wilderness. His furrowed brow and steely gaze cut through the landscape as if nothing could stand in his way.

Jasper couldn't help but study Kyral's efficient movements, the way his muscles rippled beneath his skin with each step. Kyral was all hard lines and raw power, a stark contrast to Jasper’s own frame. The Borraq warrior seemed almost mythical in his element, navigating the treacherous terrain with an ease that Jasper envied.

His eyes kept drifting to Kyral's hands — hands that could easily break him, but had instead reached out to save him. That thought sent a flush creeping up Jasper’s pale skin, warming his cheeks under Vasz’s intense sun.

What kind of person would do such a thing? And why? Who was his savior, really?

Jasper shook his head slightly, trying to dispel the disquieting chaos whirling within him. Focus on surviving this journey, he reminded himself. Just keep walking.

But it was hard to focus when Kyral's presence loomed so large — and so close.

His eyes caught a scar that twisted along Kyral's arm, an ugly reminder of battles fought and won. As they walked, Jasper’s curiosity gnawed at him until he couldn't hold back any longer.

"That scar," Jasper began, his voice sounding foreign to his own ears in the quiet wilderness. "How did you get it?"

Kyral's gaze flickered to the scar for a moment before shifting back to the path ahead. He didn’t answer immediately, and Jasper felt a pang of regret for breaking the silence. Maybe it was too personal, too intrusive. He opened his mouth to apologize but Kyral spoke first.

"Watch for signs of sanddragon pits," Kyral said, his tone neutral. "They camouflage well among the scrub."

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