Page 85 of Immortal Throne

This is what Wrathen meant. This trial wasn’t about a race, it was about the village and these werewolves.

Wrathen grunted and followed. As we closed the distance, more prickles of power, more magic, and I watched as silver-plated armor materialized over my chest, shoulders, and thighs.

“What the f—” But before I could ever finish the sentence, a long sword appeared in my hand, just like the daggers had when I’d faced Borca in the colosseum sand trial.

Okay, this was fucking cool. I was like some Hellish version ofXena: Warrior Princess.

The moment of glory was short lived when I realized Wrathen struggled underneath me. He was tapped, and sympathy had me rethinking this entire thing. He might be a ferocious mount, but he’d likely keel over if I took him into battle.

Stop,I instructed him.

What? Why?

I tugged on the reins to let him know I was serious, and he slowed enough for me to swing my leg over the saddle and hop off. Instantly, the invisible bond between us broke. All my sensations and thoughts became my own again. And a sense of loss washed over me.

What are you doing?he asked.

You’ve done enough for me, I said.You need to rest.

He tosses his head side to side.I can do this.

I won’t be responsible for you passing out from exhaustion.I patted his neck for reassurance.Thank you for bringing me this far.

A howl ripped through the air, and my blood turned into ice in my veins.

That couldn’t be good…

“Shit, some of them spotted us!” Ryker and his mount blew past us toward the village. To my horror, a dozen monstrous wolf creatures sped toward us. Now dressed in golden armor and holding a sword himself, Ryker wasted no time launching him and his mount at the nearest werewolf. His blade cut through the beast easily, but as one went down, two more surged forward.

“Listen,” I blurted out loud out of habit. The beasts rushed for me and Wrathen, making my words a jumbled mess. “Run from here. Get yourself somewhere safe!”

When one of the werewolves got too close, I lashed out my sword. It leaped away and then came for me again, but this time, I faked left and managed to stab the thing in the chest. Right where the heart should be.

I glanced over my shoulder to find Wrathen still hadn’t moved.

Gripping my sword firmly, I slashed down another wolf but wasn’t quick enough to stop another from raking its claws across my breastplate, piercing through the metal.

Thinking fast, I whipped out the weapon and sliced off its arm. Blood sprayed over me and all over the ground. The werewolf yipped in pain and retreated.

Heart thundering, I took a second to examine my damaged armor. Luckily, the creature’s talons hadn’t reached my skin, but it had definitely been too close for comfort.

Another wolf snarled behind me. By the time I whirled around, its blazing yellow eyes and open snout with sharp teeth barreling down on me. My stomach plummeted. I had no time to scream.

A blur of darkness jutted out from my right and suddenly the werewolf was hit and thrown sideways, away from me. At first, I thought it might be Ryker again, but when I saw Wrathen’s dark coat shining in the moonlight, I realized he had kicked the creature with his powerful back legs.

As the werewolf rolled away from us, I hurried over, held up my sword, and plunged the blade into the beast’s chest until it stopped moving.

Wrathen trotted over to me, and I reached out to pat his wet, matted fur.Thank you, friend.

He ducked his head down and butted it against mine.

A werewolf screeched in agony in the distance. Its blood-curdling death cry raised every hair on my body. Ryker and his mount must’ve taken another one down.

We work together,Wrathen said.

I nodded, understanding.I take care of you.

And I take care of you.

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