by AJ Eversley
We let the arrows fly as fast and as accurate as we could. We had only a short time before they barreled down on us like a legion of bloodthirsty soldiers. A few arrows connected and caused the Dred Wulfs to stumble. Those that weren’t fatally wounded climbed to their feet and ran toward us, hardly missing a step.
They came closer while I let my arrows fly until I reached to my quiver to find it empty. I threw it aside and grabbed a knife in each hand, crouching down, and prepared for the first attack. I was ready for the razor-sharp teeth that came closer.
Max ran out of arrows as well, but he withdrew his hunting knife. A determined look set across his face. A few of our arrows kept some of Dred Wulfs down, but the sheer number of the pack seemed destined to consume us no matter how many we killed. There was little chance for us to stop them so I prayed we’d at least put up a valiant fight and that our end wouldn’t come too swiftly.
Words hung on my lips as I glanced toward Max one last time.
He caught my eyes. His jaw tightened, and he swallowed the goodbye I saw he wanted to say. “The stars will keep us safe.”
His words caused a small lump in my throat, and I nodded before turning back to the horde barreling down on us.
The Dred Wulfs were only a few yards away with the Alpha in the lead. It pinned its eyes on Max as it led the charge, claws piercing the ground and kicking up snow and mud with every powerful stride.
With every heartbeat, I tried to steady my breath as they approached. They were so close I could smell their blood-soaked teeth. I felt their energy ripple through me.
Just as they neared and I braced for impact, a flurry of dark figures dove past us in a shower of shadows. The figures leapt from the cliffs above our heads and down toward the Dred Wulfs. A battle cry sounded from the shadows as they rained down on the Dred Wulfs. I gaped and stepped toward the edge where the Dred Wulfs were being pushed back. The cloaked black figures wielded long swords and thick bows.
Their movements were rhythmic as they sliced through the air, twirling with careful precision and deadly accuracy. I glanced to Max and saw the shock in his eyes.
Before I had a chance to voice the question running through my mind, or even blink, a flash of gray and black rushed past me as the Alpha launched itself at Max. His painful scream echoed against the walls of the cave as the Alpha’s sharp claws dug into Max’s shoulder. Its long, thick tail slammed me in the stomach, throwing me onto the cave’s wall. The wind was nearly knocked out of me, but I climbed up in a heartbeat. I dove at the Alpha’s back, digging my knives into its thick fur. My blade sent a roar ringing throughout the cave.
The Alpha spun on me, but I stepped out of the way just in time to avoid its razor-sharp claws that it threw at my midsection. Max wiggled himself free from under the Alpha, and the Dred Wulf turned back on him.
Max lowered his stance as the Alpha circled him deeper into the cave. I tried to move forward to help, but Max screamed, “Watch out!”
I had only a second to avoid a deadly blow aimed at my face. I jumped back and held my knives out to another Dred Wulf that had broken through the line of cloaked figures pushing back against the pack.
This Dred Wulf had only one glowing yellow eye. The other was a puss-filled hole still covered in dry blood from where my arrow had hit days ago. A deep growl reverberated as it stalked closer. Wrath dripped from its teeth.
The one-eyed Dred Wulf bared its teeth. I watched its careful movements as it stalked me, sizing up its prey. But I was no prey, and I wasn’t going to be anyone’s supper. It lunged at me. I took two powerful strides forward and then dove to my knees, skidding under its belly. I leaned my head back so it grazed just under the Dred Wulf’s dripping maw and across the ground. I drove my knife deep into its thick fur; one, two, three times, and it roared with each stab.
I rolled out of the way as its thick legs and sharp claws stomped at the spot I had just been.
My attack had wounded it, but mostly it had pissed off the Dred Wulf. Its chest rumbled as it growled low, limping toward me. My feet slipped on the edge of the cliff. Rocks trickled down behind me.
Max and the Alpha still circled each other, trading failed attacks while waiting for the other to be exposed. I felt Max’s attention glance my way, and I knew I was a distraction. So I did the only thing I could think of.
I opened my arms, dropping my knives as I gave the one-eyed Dred Wulf a clear path toward me. It nearly smiled at the opening and licked its chops
It shifted its weight to its powerful hind legs before pouncing toward me, but at the last second, I stepped off the cliff’s ledge and dropped.
My hands gripped the ledge just in time as the Wulf dove past me and over the edge. It clawed at the air as its eye widened in shock before crashing into the sharp rocks below. The Dred Wulf’s body fell limp.
I kicked my feet at the cliff and pulled myself up over the edge. Max’s eyes were wide with worry before they fell on me. Safe and still breathing, for now.
The Alpha jumped at Max and his eyes flickered to the Alpha, inches from his face, but he ducked and spun away from its sharp claws. The Alpha lunged again, but Max was quicker and stabbed his knife deep into the Alpha’s side. The blade sent a spray of crimson blood across the cave, along with a deafening scream from the Alpha.
The Alpha landed on top of Max, and for a moment I wasn’t sure if he had survived. But with a sickening crunch, I heard Max’s knife rip through the thick fur and muscle and the Alpha went limp.
I rushed over and moved the Alpha’s heavy body for Max to squeeze out.
He took my hand, and we both raced over to the cave’s edge. We saw a sight neither of us was prepared.
The hundreds of black-cloaked figures were still fighting the Dred Wulfs, and the figures were winning. Metal hit muscle and bone with sickening power as the thick bodies of fur and teeth were sprawled across the clearing. The few Dred Wulfs who could still run did just that. They took off into the forest without looking back.
“Aelish—” Max said. It was then I noticed a black-cloaked old woman looking toward us.
~
We climbed down to where the army of cloaked women stood. Their long, thick swords and deadly bows hung at their side.
Max struggled to find the words as we neared them.
“How?” I asked. It was all I could say.
“The stars have always guided the path of the Ladies of the Muted Forest. And they will always keep you safe.” Aelish gave a bow, and the others surrounding us did the same. “We will always be there when you need us.” She took a step toward Max and squeezed his shoulder. “The stars have willed us to do many things, and protecting you is one of them.” As she glanced my way, I wasn’t sure if she was speaking to Max or to me.
Just as quick as the Ladies of the Muted Forest came, they departed. Without a parting word from any of them, they turned and ran back into the forest. We didn’t even get a chance to express our thanks.
Aelish was the last to leave. With a sharp nod at Max, she turned and disappeared.
I could hardly find my footing as we stood in the clearing, surveying the sight around us as the sun rose.
Chapter 47
Kenzie
Time was running out, and Kenzie felt the urgency every time he stepped into Coleman’s office. Coleman wasn’t getting any better, in fact he was getting worse. The virus, or whatever it was, had spread across his entire right side, climbing up his neck and peeking out of his shirt collar. The healing powers within Coleman allowed the virus to move slower and not consume him too quickly, but even he couldn’t rely on that for much longer. Kenzie held his breath every time he entered the office for fear that the putrid smell would cause him to vomit.
Russo had been using her powers to search for Sawyer and the princess. They knew Coleman was desperate, and the chances of Sawyer surviving were slim to none if it came to that. The only chance they had was to find Sawyer first and get her as far away from Coleman as possible. That wa
s Russo’s plan.
Kenzie had given Coleman an accused traitor to divert attention from Russo’s trail of conspiracy, allowing Russo to focus on finding Sawyer. And although Kenzie felt guilt for condemning an innocent Carbon, falsely accused of treason, he knew it meant he and Russo had to be more careful; they couldn’t risk exposing themselves again.
His heart was in knots at the thought of losing Sawyer. And even though he didn’t remember a thing about her, his heart tensed at the thought of her.
He quickened his pace with a scowl on his face. The guards paid no attention as he passed. Russo had sent him an urgent message, the first in weeks, so he was on his way to Sector 7.
As he rounded the corner, the smell hit him like a punch to the face. Kenzie stopped dead in his tracks as Coleman stood at the end of the hallway. Russo was beside him.
Cautiously, he walked up to the two, careful not to give too much attention to Russo.
“I was just looking for you, Kenzie,” Coleman mumbled. His voice had become a lazy slur of words as if his tongue had a hard time keeping up. “Russo here seems to have some information for us.”
Kenzie’s eyes jumped to Russo. She revealed nothing in her stoic, blank stare. She nodded to Coleman. “Yes, sir. I have found the princess.”
Coleman’s face lit up, the first sign of life he’d shown in weeks. Kenzie, however, exploded with rage. Russo had betrayed what little trust Kenzie had for her. She’d sold him out and sold out her own daughter in turn.
“And?” said Coleman.
“They are with the survivors of Kuros, just outside the city in a village beyond the forest. They had set up a shield around the area so our technology couldn’t detect them, but my powers allowed me to find them.” Russo’s glanced at Kenzie, whose mouth was a thin, tight line. He held the venomous words that threatened to spill out.
“Excellent. That is great news.” Coleman clapped Russo on the shoulder. “We will set out soon. I want you with us.”
“Sir, are you healthy enough to go?” asked Kenzie. “Maybe we should just go and get the girl?” Kenzie had to try to get Sawyer to safety, even if it meant bringing Coleman the princess. It was a sacrifice Kenzie was willing to make.
“I am fine. I need to be there, seeing as everyone else seems to fail when I am not around. And with the traitor Carbon dead, they will not see us coming; it will be easy.” Coleman said. “No, I need to do this one on my own.” Coleman turned to walk away.
Kenzie almost let him be, but there was no stopping the words as they spilled out. “What about the rest of them? What will you do with everyone else once you have the princess?” Kenzie tried to keep the panic from his voice but failed miserably.
Coleman rotated ever so slowly to face him. “What do you care?”
A cold chill swept through Kenzie. He fought to keep his emotions in check, but Coleman saw through it all. Kenzie couldn’t hold it any longer.
Kenzie’s throat bobbed before he spoke, “I just think…some of them could be useful. If we kill them all, there will be no one left for our purposes.” Russo shifted beside Coleman, but Kenzie kept his eyes on him, pleading for Coleman to consider.
Coleman pondered, his eyebrows finally lifting. “You may have a point. If we can get my daughter without many casualties, I will leave it at that.” Coleman spun on his heels and left Kenzie and Russo standing alone in the empty hallway.
Kenzie finally released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding before he turned on Russo. “How could you?” His energy rose with his temper as his gaze fell on her.
Her hands trembled. “I had no choice. He caught me waiting outside of Sector 7. Coleman knew I was up to something and…I had no choice. I couldn’t expose you or myself. I knew you were coming, so I told him the truth.”
He balled his fists, speaking between clenched teeth. “You should’ve lied. You should’ve said anything but that. Anything but where to find her.” He spun to leave. He couldn’t look at her any longer, but she gripped his wrist.
“Kenzie, I’m sorry,” Russo pleaded. “I will protect her, I promise.”
He shook off her hand. “I hope you can.” His shoulders slumped in defeat, and he stormed back to his quarters.
He flopped onto his bed as his mind reeled. He hoped he had convinced Coleman enough not to seek retribution on these people. He prayed Sawyer would be far away when they arrived. But the tightness in his chest told him his prayers might not be answered.
Chapter 48
The rest of the trek home was long and slow. But once we had reached the boundaries of the forest and found Tenason there waiting, I allowed my body to relax.
It was like a blanket had been lifted off of me when we passed the invisible boundaries into safe territories. My powers pulsed through me once again. Slow and muted, tired just like I was, but they had returned.
“Did you get it?” Tenason asked. He jumped down from a tree he’d been hiding in.
I nodded.
“And?” he said.
I shrugged. We’d found the item Aelish wanted me to find, but I had no idea what it was for. And she left so quickly with the Ladies of the Muted Forest that she didn’t even give me a chance to ask what the cuffs were for. I had a feeling I’d have to wait to find out.
I felt Tenason’s questioning stare as we walked back, but thankfully Max filled him in on what happened in the forest. I’m not sure my voice would’ve worked even if I tried. Exhaustion was taking its hold.
Max squeezed my hand, and I glanced up to him with tired eyes. We were both filthy and drained, but I managed a weak smile.
Neither of us said anything about what had happened the night before. And even as the images kept popping into my mind and replaying over again, I had a hard time remembering that we made it out alive.
We’d fought death incarnated, and we survived.
~
My small room was warmer than I remembered. And the tiny shower in the house was the most welcome sight I’d seen in days. I washed myself four times before I felt clean and didn’t smell the blood of the Dred Wulfs on me.
I didn’t bother to wash my clothes. I threw them in a bag and tossed them outside to be burned.
With my hair still wet and wrapped in a towel, I sat on the edge of my bed and looked down to the wooden box. Now that we were outside of that forest and my powers were replenishing, the box’s energy spoke to me. It pulsed like a heartbeat, whispering, “Open me” in the silence.
I creaked open the lid and stared down at the two cuffs. The exterior image etched on the cuffs moved and swayed across the smooth, silvery surface. The currents of the smaller one moved like a quiet creek rolling over smooth rocks. My eyes glazed over as I watched the smooth ripples. My breath matched its calming strokes.
The larger cuff was a scattered zigzag pattern. As the pattern moved over the metal, the cuff throbbed like a lightning storm. Growing and releasing, pounding and striking. I felt its energy, more erratic than the smaller one, but never out of control. Despite the chaos, it felt like I was in the eye of the storm where it was still calm even with all that was happening around it.
~
In our absence, Murray had created more of the Megastun bombs that he believed would win the war, but Max and I knew he was wrong. There was no matching Coleman and his Carbons.
“This is not an answer; this is a death sentence!” Max’s voice boomed with anger. He stood inches away from his father, but Murray didn’t look away.
“You know nothing about war, boy,” Murray seethed. His icy stare pierced through Max.
“Do you think so little of me? Do you not remember everything we went through, everything we saw on the United Isles?” Max argued. “They killed so many people. They destroyed the entire city! And that was only two, just two Carbons. You think this will stop them? You’re only delaying the inevitable and probably pissing them off even more than they already are.”
Murray took a step forward, his broad chest up against Max.
“You need to watch your tone with me, son.”
“That’s enough,” I said from my seat a few feet away. Both turned to me, but their anger didn’t subside. “Murray, we aren’t telling you not to fight. We’re trying to help. We know what we’re up against. You could make a thousand of these bombs, but it still won’t stop him.”
Max was the first to step away. Murray stood like a stone before me, not willing to give in, but he motioned that he was willing to listen.
“I appreciate your opinion,” he said, “but with all due respect, we don’t know if this ‘feeling’ you have is your own or something Coleman has implanted in you.”
My chest tightened as I realized what this was about. It had nothing to do with whether the bomb would work. It had everything to do with the fact that I was a Carbon and couldn’t be trusted.
“We’ve been burned before,” said Murray. “I’ve put my faith in others, paid the price, and had a lot of men die in the process. I’m doing what is best for them.”
“Are you serious?” Max’s eyebrows rose as a snide chuckle came out of him. “You’ve also put your faith in Sawyer, and she saved so many people. Why do you suddenly not trust her?”
Murray opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted.
“It’s fine.” I grabbed Max’s arm, stopping him from charging at his father and doing something he’d regret. “He doesn’t trust me because of what I am. Because as a Carbon, I could betray you, even if I didn’t intend to. I am under Coleman’s control still.”
“It’s not right.” Max lifted my chin so I’d look him in the eyes. “We both know these bombs won’t work. That has nothing to do with you being a—”
“I’d do the same thing if I were in his shoes,” I said. “Murray, you can believe what you want, and I won’t hold it against you. I just ask that you consider your men before you send them out unprepared.”