Page 112 of The Bond That Burns

I rolled to the side, clutching at my gut, suddenly filled with terror at the thought of the wolf’s huge jaws clamping down upon me. But it wasn’t me the wolf wanted. He leaped onto my attacker, sinking his teeth deep into the man’s shoulder. The highblood screamed and thrashed, swearing loudly as he fought to free himself. Blood spurted as the wolf’s teeth penetrated flesh, but the man twisted violently, kicking at the beast’s underbelly. They rolled across the dirt, a tangle of fur and limbs.

Don’t just stand there bleeding while you watch, my mother’s voice snapped.Bandage it. Quickly.

I forced myself to move, hands trembling as I yanked off my jacket, ignoring the sting of pain as I cinched it over the wound at my waist.

My attacker was scrambling free of the wolf. I watched as he rolled onto his knees and spotted the crossbow lying just a few feet away. My stomach dropped.

Ignore the pain,Orcades ordered.Move!

I didn’t have to be told twice. I staggered forward, reaching for the weapon. But the highblood was faster. He snatched it up, already loaded, as the wolf lunged at him again.

The bolt flew true, striking the wolf in its flank. The creature let out a high-pitched yelp and staggered, rolling over and over again as it hit the dirt.

For a moment, I thought it was over, that the wolf was down for good. Then it pushed itself up, blood staining its silver fur, and growled low and menacing, its eyes locked on the man.

Gods, the beast is tenacious,Orcades murmured.What on earth is it?

On our side,I said.That’s all I need to know.

The man didn’t waste another moment. Still holding the crossbow, he turned and bolted, boots spraying dirt as he ran towards a nearby copse of trees.

The wolf turned its head towards me. It took a limping step forward, its ears flicking back, clearly in pain.

I raised my hand as if to touch it, then thought better of the gesture. “You did enough,” I said softly. “I’ll be all right. Go.”

The animal hesitated a moment, then lowered its head.

“Medra!” Blake’s voice thundered as he appeared at my side, a streak of blood on his cheek, his clothes torn, his eyes wild. As he saw my jacket wrapped around my midsection, he sank down to his knees in the dirt, hands hovering over me as if he didn’t know where it was safe to touch. “What the hell happened?”

I opened my mouth to reply but a thunderous growl from above interrupted me.

I sense blood,Nyxaris snarled.Your blood. What happened? Who did this?

It’s over now,I answered weakly.Thank you for trying to help.

Clearly it is not over, if you are bleeding. Tell me who I may kill. The wolf, perhaps?

The silver wolf was limping away.

“No,” I exclaimed out loud.No,I answered more firmly in my mind.You can’t kill the wolf. It saved me.

Blake didn’t ask why I was talking to myself. He ignored me. His arms were like iron as he scooped me off the ground and began marching towards the carriage.

Vaguely, I realized Visha was still alive. She was going from body to body, ripping each attacker’s mask off. After looking them in the face to see if she recognized them, she plunged her rapier into each one—as if to make sure they were well and truly dead.

You forbid me to eat the wolf? What am I to eat then?Nyxaris complained.

Are you here to help or for supper?I asked grouchily. The pain in my stomach was worse. I clenched my teeth.I’m sorry to disappoint your appetite.Then I thought of something.The man who stabbed me. He ran off into the trees.I lifted my arm shakily and pointed. Blake growled at me as if furious that I’d dared to move but I ignored him.He went that way. Can you go after him?

A deep rumble of satisfaction filled my mind.I will enjoy grinding his bones into powder and savoring the taste of his blood.

I winced.I don’t need the specifics. But...thank you for coming, Nyxaris. Truly.

Stay alive until I return, wingless one,he replied, his voice softening.I may not eat wolves but you are another matter.

I wasn’t sure if that was meant to be a threat or a compliment. But I managed a weak laugh as his shadow swept away.

Blake was muttering curse after curse as he carried me towards the carriage. When we reached it, he yanked it open with more force than was necessary.

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