Page 92 of Teeth To Rip & Tear

I didn’t know how I knew, but the moment I smelled the combination of four scents, I knew they’d come this way.

Usually, I saw the magic in the air as snipped threads that floated about, drifting on air currents, but my eyes burned, and my head swam. My vision was compromised, with large blurry patches that made it hard to see.

The iron powder had sunk into my skin when I’d changed shapes. Dizziness made it hard to stick to a path, and my fur tangled in brambles as I ran.

I started seeing things.

A cacophony of wolf howls echoed behind me as the female pack followed on my heels.

The bone-deep exhaustion from my run slowed my movements. My muscles burned with every step, making it hard to see.

My tongue lulled out of my mouth, and my breath wheezed through my canine mouth as I panted for air.

Finally, my legs gave up, folding under me when I broke through the trees. I’d followed the magic and the scents I could identify, but they were old, and I felt the forest watching me and waiting for its moment.

I tried to stand, but my limbs shook, and refused to obey. I lifted my head, blinking through exhaustion, confused by the sight before me.

The air shimmered, jagged edges of ether fluttered in the wind like fabric that didn’t quite exist.

Through the slice in reality, I saw the trees I’d grown up with. Nothing like the gnarled strangeness of the Aos Si.

The fragrant scent of a linden tree drifted to my nose, reminding me of home.

The Gate.

I could jump through.

I could go home.

But what about the Locket pack? The Huntsman—Lugh—would punish them. Hurt them. Maybe even kill them.

A small grey wolf broke through the trees, her head lowered and her eyes fixed on mine. A predator hunting their prey.

I recognized the glint in her eyes. The childlike maliciousness that unnerved me—Tabitha.

Tabitha didn’t seem to care that her opponent was exhausted, tongue lulling out and eyes half closed.

She stalked toward me, her lips curled back over her teeth. I realized she was smiling.

I couldn’t weave without my hands.

I could barely stand.

Tabitha advanced, drooling fur onto the fluffy coat on her chest, salivating at the chance to take her pound of flesh.

I didn’t know how she could stand it as she strode past the Gate, affected by the discordant chiming of the tear between worlds.

I didn’t have the energy to shift. I wasn’t even sure if I could.

She was going to kill me.

Red mist saturated my vision, and I struggled to stand. Pinpricks of pain coated every inch of my body. I wanted nothing more than to close my eyes and fall asleep, but I couldn’t.

I wasn’t sure if I would wake up.

One chance.

I didn’t have the advantage of skill or experience. My magic was useless in wolf form.

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