Page 421 of Evil Hearts

“Elara, hold tight!” he called, his voice barely audible over the pounding of their footsteps and the snarling of the beast behind them.

They veered sharply to the right, darting through a narrow gap between two towering oaks, and for a moment, she thought they might have lost the creature. But then, with a crash of snapping branches, the Shadowhound burst into view again, more enraged than ever. Its fiery eyes locked onto them, and it lunged, jaws snapping.

Brian quickly shoved Elara behind him, his fingers moving in a swift, intricate pattern as he muttered an incantation. A wall of shimmering light erupted between them and the Shadowhound, causing the beast to recoil with a snarl. It clawed at the barrier, its dark claws sparking against the magical shield, but Brian’s spell held firm.

“That won’t hold it for long,” he whispered, sweat beading on his forehead from the exertion. “We need to keep moving.”

They took off again, Brian’s shield flickering out the moment they stepped beyond its protection. They sprinted through the dense forest, the Shadowhound’s growls fading briefly as they put more distance between themselves and the creature. But Elara knew it would be back—Clary’s creatures were relentless,bound by dark spells to hunt until their prey was captured or destroyed.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached a small clearing bathed in the pale light of dusk. Elara gasped for breath, clutching her side, while Brian leaned against a tree, his face taut with concentration.

“We’re not far now,” he said between labored breaths. “The forest’s edge… it’s just over that ridge.”

As he pointed, his hand brushed against hers, and they both froze, caught in the intensity of the moment. Brian’s gaze softened, lingering on her face as if memorizing every detail, as if he knew their journey together might soon come to an end. Without thinking, Elara reached up, her fingers brushing his cheek, feeling the warmth beneath his roughened skin.

“Brian…” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft rustling of the forest.

He closed his eyes briefly, as if gathering the strength to resist the pull between them. But when he opened them again, the look he gave her was filled with longing, with unspoken words that neither of them dared to say. Slowly, he took her hand, his thumb tracing circles along her knuckles, a small gesture that spoke volumes.

“Elara,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea… what this has done to me. Being here with you, knowing I might lose you to a past I can’t change.”

She searched his face, feeling her heart twist. “You don’t have to lose me, Brian. You’re a part of me now, just as much as my past is.”

Sadly, even as she spoke, a pang of uncertainty gnawed at her. There was Prince Rafe, waiting, sleeping under the same curse as her people. Could she abandon him? Abandon the life she once had, even though her heart was no longer bound to it?

Before she could say anything more, a sudden growl rumbled from the shadows, snapping them back to the danger that still pursued them. The Shadowhound had found them again, its glowing eyes fixed on them as it prowled forward, muscles rippling beneath its dark, matted fur.

“Stay behind me,” Brian ordered, his voice firm. He raised his hand, the air around them humming as he summoned another spell.

Elara could feel the power thrumming from him, a tangible force that wrapped around her like a protective cocoon.

But this time, the Shadowhound did not hesitate. It lunged at them, crashing through Brian’s defenses with a force that sent them both sprawling. Elara hit the ground hard, a sharp pain shooting through her shoulder. She scrambled to her feet, her heart racing as the creature advanced, its eyes burning with an unnatural fury.

Brian staggered up beside her, his hand already moving in another spell pattern, but his strength was waning—she could see it in the pale cast of his skin, the way his hands trembled.

“Elara,” he said, his voice low but urgent. “Go. Run. I’ll hold it off.”

She shook her head, gripping his arm tightly. “No. I’m not leaving you.”

The Shadowhound snarled, and without thinking, Elara raised her own hand, focusing on the instinctive pulse of magic she’d felt within her since her memories had returned. She closed her eyes, reaching deep, calling on the ancient power that was her birthright.

A surge of warmth spread through her, and she felt the magic coalesce in her palm. She opened her eyes, and a shimmering orb of light crackled to life in her hand, glowing with an intensity that rivaled the stars above. She hurled it at the Shadowhound,watching as the orb struck it squarely in the chest with a blinding flash.

The creature let out an agonized howl, staggering backward as the light burned through it, leaving a smoldering mark in its fur. It snarled, but the fear in its eyes was unmistakable. It turned, slinking back into the shadows, its form dissolving into mist as it retreated.

Elara stood frozen, her hand still outstretched, her breathing ragged as she stared at the place where the creature had popped off into non-existence.

“You… you did that,” Brian whispered, his voice a mixture of awe and disbelief.

Elara lowered her hand, looking down at her fingers as if they belonged to someone else. “I… I don’t know how. I just… I felt the magic, and I knew what to do.”

Brian stepped closer, his gaze intense. “You’re stronger than I realized, Elara. Stronger than you think.”

She blinked back her response, wondering if she should be happy or sad.

For a moment, he looked as if he might argue, but then he nodded, reaching out to take her hand once more. Their fingers intertwined, and they set off again, moving through the darkening forest with renewed purpose, their steps in perfect rhythm.

Chapter 10

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