Page 32 of The Spark that Ignites
“No. Emmery, I mean it.” Vesper pointed to the winding path ahead. “Look, we’re almost past the edge of his territory. I’m sure it’ll get itself out of the web.”
Frozen in place, Emmery stared at the creature. Its limbs were so tangled, there was no way it could free itself. Its eyes spoke to her, the deep amber hue tugging at her chest, winding around her heart in an irreversible way. If she left it, she couldn’t live with herself.
She knew what she had to do.
Emmery lunged before Vesper snagged her arm. Grasping the dagger at her thigh, she sliced through the webs in one swift jerk.
“Emmery!” Vesper bellowed. His eyes darted around the trees as if waiting for the entire world to fold in on them. “Oh, gods.Oh, gods. We’re so fucked.”
The birds quieted as the forest fell into a grave silence, and an eerie emptiness stifled the air as clouds banished the sunlight. Lightning shot across the sky and thunder crackled in response as the trees sprang to life, branches snapping and twisting to form an impenetrable cage.
Emmery’s heart threatened to give out. “Shit.”
She sheathed her dagger and gathered the animal in her arms before leaping to her feet. The fox-like creature melded into her embrace and whimpered, hiding its face in the crook of her elbow. The poor thing had to be injured.
“Run!” Vesper was already panting, the branches reaching not for him, but for her. “For the love of the gods,run!”
The forest closed in, trapping them in its clutches.
Chapter Eleven
Like sinuous arms, the branches slithered toward them. A slew of creative curses spilled from Vesper’s lips, and he grasped her elbow, nearly lifting her off her feet as they sprinted. The fox's horns jabbed Emmery’s chest, but she held tighter. Unable to match Vesper’s long strides, her heavy pack slammed against her spine, slowing her. Slowing them both.
Vesper was surely regretting the bargain now. And yet, Emmery didn’t regret freeing the creature, even if it meant forfeiting her freedom.
The branches closed in and sweat slid down her back.
Faster. They needed to move faster.
Four-legged beasts emerged from the bushes, blocking their path as their howls cleaved the air. Moss encased skinless faces and vine bound bones rattled. Their pupilless white eyes, identical to Guardian Kaah’s, screamed in hunger, saliva dripping from their fangs.
Vesper unsheathed his sword and darted in front of Emmery. A creature lunged but he deflected it with his blade. It skidded onto its side. In a downward swipe, he gutted it from neck to tail with ease and green-brown entrails seeped from its gut, staining the pale dirt road.
Teeth bared, two creatures stalked forward.
Emmery grasped her dagger as one leapt, its front paws striking her chest. The momentum forced her to the ground and the air burst from her lungs, but her dagger sank true. Rancid, slimy goo slathered her hand as her blade embedded in its skull.Her stomach churned as it fell limp and with a sickeningthunk, she tugged her dagger free.
The fox desperately clung to her tunic as she reeled back and thrust the lifeless body off her, several other corpses littering the ground courtesy of Vesper’s blade.
As Emmery scrambled to her feet, perching the fox on her shoulder, Vesper sheathed his sword and extended his hands, palms up. White tendrils snaked from his fingertips and with a sharp flick of his wrists, he cast the threads toward the corpses. They followed like they held their own consciousness, sinking into the still bodies. The beasts clambered to their feet, a glow mirroring his vestige in their eyes. It wasimpossibleand yet—
Emmery stumbled back in shock, clinging to her slippery dagger.
“Go,” Vesper snarled at the creatures, his voice full of command. Her breath caught when she met his gaze, his pale eyes hardened, glowing savagely as his vestige pulsed.
Beasts tore into one another, claws and teeth gnashing in a symphony of chaos. Thick mud coloured blood slathered the ground, the reek of rotting flesh clogging the air. Whatever those things were, they werenotalive. And neither were Vesper’s.
Up ahead, a glow illuminated the forest’s edge and they barrelled toward it as Vesper’s beasts held off the creatures long enough to gain distance.
A metallic taste flooded Emmery’s mouth chased by the sting of bile as her head pounded. Sweat stung her eyes, but she didn’t wipe it away. There was no time.
A root surfaced, ripping her feet out from under her. The fox launched from her shoulder, thankfully breaching Guardian Kaah’s territory. Ribs bruising, Emmery struck the ground. Dirt crusted her fingernails as she clawed for safety, but the unyielding root hauled her back.
She was so close. Freedom was nearly within reach. Adrenaline overrode the pain lancing her leg and Emmery kicked out at empty air. Gritting her teeth, she caged a furious scream.
Not like this. She wouldnotgo like this.
Drawing his sword, Vesper dove and landed with a grunt. He clasped her forearm, his shoulder popping as he tugged her toward him, and brought the blade down. The root severed and, chest heaving, he sprang to his feet and hauled her with him.
