Page 50 of Enspelled

Every single one of them is staring at me.

As if they see me.

I swallow hard as I slowly push myself to my feet, their focused stare making me wish this vision would end soon. I inch back a step, but none of them so much as blinks.

Maybe they don’t see me after all.

But as I search their faces, I realize it isn’t just intense focus in their eyes. It’s fear.

Aware that turning my back on wolves isn’t the best idea I’ve ever had, but with a trickle of unease tickling the back of my neck, I turn around to see if something is behind me.

Dark forest, trees, and bushes that stir from a mild wind greet me.

No bogeyman or ferocious beast is breathing down the back of my neck, but that isn’t enough to silence the slow drumbeat in my head.

The longer I stare into the forest, the faster and harder my heart beats.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

Something is coming.

Something bad.

I inch back, but whatever is out there moves closer.

A wolf whines, and I know it feels the threat bearing down on us, too.

Another wolf snarls low in his throat. This one isn’t afraid, and before I turn my head to see, I know it will be the big gray wolf with the amber eyes.

It should be strange that I’m the gray wolf when he’s also stepping up beside me, ready to meet this threat—but it isn’t.

As if he feels my attention, he glances over at me, and I meet those intelligent amber eyes, wise, and fearless.

Memory flickers.

Keane.

Why do I feel like I’m staring at Keane’s dad?

Witch.

The voice is in my head as much as it’s all around me and a part of me. It sounds like my voice, but it’s not me. Not only.

He steps toward me, and I forget the creeping terror for the moment. I reach a hand to him, not afraid. Not of him.

A wave of heat and fury smashes into me. It’s nothing like Diana Calla’s elemental power. No, this is a million times worse. This is agony.

I throw my head back and scream as my skin blisters, burns, and peels away from my bones.

All around me, the wolves howl and scream as they burn. As they die.

Just like me.

15

SERA

“Are you sure you have enough food?” I ask, taking in the mountain of chips and candy Bodie has cradled in his arms.

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