Page 102 of The Last Heir of Elsewhere

I set my jaw, and glared determinedly up at Scion’s silver eyes. I pointed toward the city lights shimmering in the distance. “I’m going this way. You can come with me, or part ways right here.”

As I’d known would happen, Scion’s conviction crumbled. We’d already nearly died countless times to find each other, the means of our escape would not be the thing that divided us.

We sprinted down the rocky path of the mountain, our feet pounding against the dry, rocky ground as we sprinted through the unforgiving desert landscape. My lungs burned with each breath and my muscles ached from the steep incline, then finally, we burst onto the busy streets of Underneath.

As I rounded the bend of the narrow cobblestone street, the salty scent of the ocean hit my nose, and I could see the vibrant blood-red waters of the harbor in the distance. My heart filled with joy as I quickened my pace toward the docks.

Except, just as joy flooded me, the ground behind us began to shake. People screamed, and the wind whipped faster as if a sudden storm had fallen upon us.

I looked over my shoulder and my blood ran cold.

In the distance, I could hear the thunderous gallop of hooves and the growls and roars of wild animals. My heart pounded as I saw the king’s hunting party charging toward us.

Leading the pack, Gancanagh was immediately visible. His massive lion form towered over every other creature, radiating a fierce power that sent shivers down my spine. Even from here, the sharp gleam of his teeth and his piercing yellow eyes gutted me.

With one mighty roar, he commanded all attention to him. It was like a hunting horn, telling his army to charge.

I glanced at Bael, and all I could think was how he’d warned me time and time again never to run from monsters.

Except, when the monsters were hunting us, what other choice was there?

42

LONNIE

UNDERNEATH

As the king drew nearer, Bael erupted into motion.

He charged toward the enormous lion—a golden streak against the darkening sky. His own lion form was lithe and powerful, and seemed to drag tendrils of smoke in his wake, like he was made from magic itself.

Screams erupted from the marketplace and over the harbor, and I realized distantly that one of those screams was me.

My voice had gone hoarse from all the yelling. My mind was a twisted jumble of questions and fear, overstimulated and on the verge of collapse. Still, I yelled for Bael, and refused to tear my gaze away as the prince and king collided.

A thunderous roar echoed over the harbor. The two beasts met, and it was hard to make out who was whom in the frenzy of fur and blood. Even in this form, Bael and his father were nearly identical and I struggled to know who was winning. With every sharp blow, I gasped, unsure if I should cheer or scream.

“Rebel, we have to go!” Scion’s hand gripped my arm, pulling me back to the harsh reality of our situation.

I turned to meet his gaze, and my vision swam, barely seeing him. He dragged me toward the water, apparently no longer bothered by the ship if it meant keeping me away from the battle in front of us.

“Stop!” I demanded. “We can’t go.”

“We can’t help, either,” he said, sounding as frustrated as he was desperate.

Dust and debris flew up as the lions swiped and clawed at each other, their fierce battle shaking the ground beneath our feet.

Scion turned and watched the battle for a moment, and I could see the conflict in his gaze. Without magic, Scion wouldn’t stand a chance against Gancanagh, but he seemed to still be considering going to help. I loved him all the more for it.

“No,” he tore his gaze away. “You’re what matters. We need to go.”

“I don’t care about me,” I insisted.

“Lonnie, go!”

My brow furrowed with confusion. I heard the yell, and my brain could not process it. I was looking at Scion and he hadn’t opened his mouth, yet I heard his demand.

For a moment, I thought I was losing my mind.

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