Page 62 of Third

Not to stop him. Her fingers didn’t shake. She didn’t flinch. There was no panic in the way she reached for him—just quiet conviction. Something in her touch spoke of trust, of forgiveness, of faith he hadn’t earned. Notyet.

He paused. Their eyes met again.

She exhaled softly, almost soundless, the breath hitching just enough to betray what she felt. Her fingers tightened around his wrist, and her gaze turned raw.Open.

He leaned down slowly, brushing his mouth against her temple. It was not a kiss meant to stir passion, but awhisper of something unspoken. She closed her eyes and leaned intoit.

Then, quietly, she releasedhim.

The absence of her grip was immediate. Not painful, but sharp—like waking from a dream too soon. Her fingers slipping from his wrist left behind a heat that wasn’t physical. It was the imprint of her trust, her belief in him. And for a moment, he missed the contact more than he cared to admit.

Tor’Vek rose and began packing their gear. He didn’t look at her again until everything was ready. Then he extended ahand.

She took it without hesitation.

They broke camp in silence—but not distance. Never distance.

Neither spoke as they climbed the first ridge, the terrain growing more jagged with each step. Sunlight baked the rocks around them, too hot, too bright, and yet the shadows always felt close. Watching.

Predators stalked them. He sensed it. Anya sensed it too. She stayed close.

At midday, she stumbled, skin flushed with heat. He steadied her with a hand to her lowerback.

“We need to rest soon,” she said, voice tight.

“One more kilometer.”

She didn’t argue.

The bond between them ached now, not with rage, but with something heavier. Hunger. Craving. Avisceral need neither of them daredname.

They crested another rise—and the wind changed.

He knew the scent before he saw the threat.

The creatures were fast. Silent. Camouflaged until the moment they struck.

Anya screamed as one leapt from a rock above and Tor’Vek threw himself into its path, blade already rising.

The hunt had begun again.

The first creature landed hard, claws outstretched, all sinew and fangs and speed.

Tor’Vek met it head-on.

The force of the impact threw him backward, boots grinding into the rock. The beast snarled, its breath hot and fetid against his skin. He grunted, twisting, driving his blade up beneath the ribs. The creature howled and convulsed, thrashing with enough strength to rip a lesser fighter apart.

It diedugly.

Another lunged before the first hit the ground. Tor’Vek pivoted, blade flashing, but the second was faster—smarter. It dodged, raked claws across his side, drawing blood. The sting sharpened his focus. He countered quickly, feinting left and then driving forward with brutal precision. The blade sliced through the creature’s throat in one clean arc, and it dropped, gurgling, into the dust. Only then did he spin toward the third—

Anya shouted behindhim.

The third had gone forher.

Cursing, he whirled towardher.

Toofar.

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