Page 51 of Forged By Heart and Claws
“Does this mean all our beasts have gone mad?” Her words shook. “Are the fire beasts in my kingdom insane as well?”
“Probably best to assume so.” Silus scanned the passage.
The portal pulsed before us, its dark purple veins writhing and alive. An uncomfortable ripple of power shot through me, reminding me of the stag’s energy but more unsettling. My stomach churned, and my skin crawled. “We need to get moving. Anything could follow.”
Vyraetos tied off the bandage on my ankle.
Grunting, Vad rose and stood beside me with a set jaw and one hand pressed to his chest. “What can you give her for the pain?”
“If it’ll slow me down or cloud my head, I don’t want it.” I tugged at Vad’s wrist and turned his hand over to find blood welling from four fresh slashes.You cut yourself on your claws. You need to wrap that. If more wolves come through or come later, they’ll be able to track the scent.
He grumbled and swiped another bandage from the bag. As he bound his palm, a flicker of guilt shot through our bond, chased by anger.I’m not used to fighting with weapons while having my claws out. Now that our magic is gone, they won’t retract.He lifted his surcoat and tore off some strips of cloth, then wrapped them around his sword handle to make it easier to hold.
Maybe you shouldn’t be using a sword.
He raised an eyebrow at me but smiled slightly.It’s not ideal, but I need the reach if I’m going to be fighting shadow beasts.
Vyraetos placed the items back in the bag. “I’m afraid all the medicines would have side effects. Sleep is the best antidote for pain.”
“I prefer intoxication,” Quen mumbled. “Works for the body and the mind and, if you drink fast enough, super quick.” She drew in a shaky breath and dashed a hand beneath her eyes.
Elias gave her an awkward half-hug. She leaned into him like it was the only thing holding her together.
Up ahead, Myantha had edged toward the corridor we’d come from. She froze and pointed. “Do you hear that?”
The pounding against the cellar doors had shifted to high-pitched squeals and metal shrieking under pressure.
Vad growled. “The hinges are giving way. Move!”
Chaos erupted with bags hoisted and lamps gripped. Silus shifted Elara’s weight against his side while Thalen’s wings flared. Veralt and Elias flanked the rear, weapons drawn.
Myantha spun to face Vad, keeping close to Thalen. “Which direction?”
“How bad is your foot?” Rhielle’s gaze darted to the shadow-drenched portal behind us. “Can you walk?”
Veralt stepped forward, already ready to assist. “I’ll carry her. She won’t be able to walk fast.”
Vad’s head turned slowly, the look he gave Veralt nothing short of lethal. “If anyone’s carrying her, it’s me. Now this way!”
Before I could protest, he had one arm under my knees and the other behind my back. With practiced ease, he lifted me into a bridal carry.I’ll get you clear of the portal.Then you can shift.
I curled into him, fingers clenched in the front of his tunic. The tunnel blurred past as Vad surged forward, his strides long and merciless. Every step jostled my injured foot, sending hot shards of pain up my leg, but I didn’t tell him to stop. Behindus, the others followed, shadows clawing at the walls with every flicker of lamplight.
CLANG-KRAAANG–SKREEEEE–BOOOM!
Metal shrieked against stone, and then the echo of something heavier slamming into place resonated down the corridor. Silence held for a quick breath and was shattered by a chorus of snarls.
“They’re coming,” I breathed.
A howl split the air, reverberating so deep the walls seemed to tremble. Another answered closer to us but farther left. My blood ran cold.
They’re coming from multiple directions,I linked to Vad.
His arms cinched tighter around me, his steps never slowing.I hear them. I have a plan.His gaze swept the tunnel, and he took a right fork without hesitation. “Stay close,” he snapped to the others. “No splitting off.”
The tunnel veered sharply. His chest heaved beneath me, muscles bunching as he ran harder. The grim set of his jaw didn’t change, but tension spiked through our bond.
Are they going to cut us off?The path sloped steeply, with new tunnels branching out like veins. I tried to memorize the route’s twists, turns, and elevation drops, but the howls were closing in too fast. There had to be at least a dozen, maybe more, and their sounds were feral and frenzied.
