Page 3 of Heatbound Hearts

"But I-" Naia looks to Kairos. "Well, we're from Protheka."

"Never heard of it." I stand, letting my wings stretch in the process. "Never been to Aerasak, either."

And they both just stare up at me like I've lost my mind. Like they aren't the ones that dropped in the middle ofmyworld.

But despite the potential risks - bringing strangers into our realm, especially a demon, could have serious consequences - Imake a decision. These two need help, and for whatever reason, I feel compelled to offer it.

2

BRONWYN

"No, no, no-" The words tear from me as my ankle twists, but I refuse to even slow. My body is so numb I can barely feel the pain anyway.

I crash through the snow-laden underbrush, my lungs burning with each desperate breath. The icy air stings my face as I push forward, driven by pure survival instinct. Behind me, the guttural roars of the orc hunting party grow louder, their heavy footfalls crunching through the frozen forest floor.

My mind races, searching for any advantage in this desolate wasteland that was once the northern part of a country long forgotten. The name eludes me – another casualty of a world torn apart by the orc invasion. All I know is the bitter cold of the longest night of the year and the primal fear coursing through my veins.

I duck under a low-hanging branch, my braid catching on the bark and yanking my head back. Panic surges as I fumble to free myself, precious seconds ticking away. The orcs' war cries grow closer, their foul stench carried on the frigid wind.

"Fuck," I mutter, finally tearing free and stumbling forward. My legs burn from exertion, but I can't stop. Not now. Not when I'm so close to...to what? Safety? There's no such thing anymore.

I spot a fallen tree ahead, its massive trunk creating a small hollow beneath. It's a desperate move, but it's all I've got. I dive into the cramped space, pressing myself against the frozen earth. My chest heaves as I try to quiet my breathing, praying to whatever gods might still exist that the orcs will pass me by.

The sound of their approach grows deafening. Massive, green-skinned feet stomp past my hiding spot, kicking up snow and fallen leaves. I hold my breath, my heart pounding so hard I fear they might hear it.

"Where'd the bitch go?" one of them snarls in their guttural language. I understand enough to know I'm in deep shit if they find me.

"Spread out!" another bellows. "Boss wants this one alive. Says she knows where the human bunker is."

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing myself to become invisible. They're right – I do know where the entrance of some of the bunkers are. It's why I led them on this chase, to draw them away from the others. But now, as the cold seeps into my bones and exhaustion threatens to overtake me, I wonder if it was worth it.

The orcs continue to search, their grunts and curses filling the air. I stay frozen in place, every muscle tense, ready to bolt if they discover my hiding spot. But where would I run? In this moment, trapped between certain death and an impossible escape, I've never felt more alone or desperate in my life.

I strain my ears, listening for any sign of the orcs. Their grunts and heavy footsteps seem to fade, but I don't dare move yet. Minutes crawl by like hours as I lie there, my body trembling from cold and fear.

Finally, when the forest falls silent save for the whisper of wind through bare branches, I allow myself to breathe. My muscles scream in protest as I slowly uncurl from my hiding spot, every movement cautious and deliberate.

I scan the area, my eyes darting from tree to tree. Nothing moves. No sign of green skin or crude weapons. But I know better than to feel relief. They're still out there, hunting.

I force myself to my feet, biting back a groan as pain shoots through my twisted ankle. Limping, I push deeper into the forest, away from the direction the orcs had gone. Each step is agony, but the alternative is worse.

The trees begin to thin, and I find myself at the edge of a small clearing. My breath catches in my throat. There, half-buried in snow and overgrown with vines, stands an ancient structure. Its weathered stone walls rise before me, intricate carvings barely visible beneath years of neglect.

A temple? Out here?

I hesitate, my practical mind screaming warnings. Unknown structures mean unknown dangers. But the orcs are still out there, and I'm running out of options. It's the best option I have from the cold, too.

A distant roar makes the decision for me. They've picked up my trail again.

"Shit," I mutter, limping towards the temple entrance as fast as I can manage. The massive stone doors are ajar, offering just enough space for me to squeeze through. Maybe it'll be heavy enough to keep them out.

Inside, it's so dark I can barely see. The only light comes from the damaged ceiling that can't block out the moon. A weak beam of light flickers intermittently through the room, illuminating dust-covered floors and crumbling pillars.

The air is stale, carrying the musty scent of long abandonment. The moonlight catches strange symbols etchedinto the walls, unlike anything I've seen before. But I don't have time to examine them closely.

I need to find a place to hide, to catch my breath, to think. The temple seems to stretch on forever, corridors branching off in all directions. I pick one at random, my footsteps echoing ominously in the silence.

Suddenly, a crash comes from behind me. They've found the temple.

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