Bloodrose

with discomfort.

This would be so much better if we didn’t have to breathe, Mason complained.

Ren’s thought traveled back to us. Stay focused.

Mason dropped his muzzle low in compliance. I kept close to Ren’s flank. We were close enough to hear them now. Steady low snarls emerged from the Lyulf as they stalked their constant unchanging path, their muscles flexing, living flame, their movement like a ring of fire around Pyralis.

Ren paused in the shadows of a rock outcrop. The last place left to remain out of sight before the steep trail ended, leaving only the broad chamber in front of us. Another few steps and we’d be in the open, facing off with the Lyulf.

Try to keep them separated and moving. Don’t get cornered.

He raised his muzzle and howled. The Lyulf stopped their circling, turning in the direction of the sound, which now filled the entire cavern. The fire wolves lifted their heads in an answering cry. Smoke billowed from their mouths.

Ren leapt from his hiding place with Mason and me at his heels. The Lyulf stood their ground, snarling, watching us approach. As we closed in, I could see their eyes, smoldering coals set in the flames of their bodies. Empty save for hate and lust for the kill.

Ren bounded for them. The first of the Lyulf crouched and sprang at him. At the last possible moment Ren threw himself to the side, rolling away, and the Lyulf sailed past him. Ren was on his feet again. He barked, wagging his tail. Taunting the wolf.

Split. I shouted my thought at Mason and Ren. Hold their attention. We need to give Shay time.

I wheeled away from Ren, snarling at the second wolf while Mason snapped his jaws at the third. The heat pouring off the Lyulf was like a furnace. As I dashed past it, drawing its attack, I could smell my fur singe. I headed for the far side of the chamber, hoping to keep the fire wolves away from the path that Shay would need to take. I didn’t need to look back to know the Lyulf was at my heels. With every burst of speed I could feel its heat, flames licking my tail.

I heard Mason yelp and pivoted around, searching for him. He was still running ahead of the other Lyulf, but his flank was smoking.

Just keep running, Mason. I scrambled away from my own attacker. Hang on!

Darting, changing direction, doing everything I could to stay out of reach. My only choice was to run. Fighting wasn’t an option. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a blur of motion. A golden brown wolf sped across the room, reaching the dais where Cian hovered. He shifted forms, throwing himself at her outstretched arms. A flare of heat brushed across my heels and I leapt into the air. And froze.

The room went black. I was suspended in the air, hanging in empty space. No light. No sound. I could still breathe, but I didn’t want to. All our hopes were held in this moment.

Then I was falling. I hit the ground hard, my body slamming into rock.

The Lyulf was still behind me. It shook its muzzle, smoke boiling out of its nostrils. When its eyes focused on me, it snarled and lunged. I rolled onto my back, smelling burnt fur again but managing to avoid its attack.

Shay was shouting. “Adne, open the door!”

In the far corner of the room I saw twinkling lights as Adne began to weave. The Lyulf saw it too. Turning away from me, the fire wolf howled, drawing the attention of the wolf chasing Mason. The other wolf gave its own howl and the two burning beasts plunged in Adne’s direction.

We have to stop them, I called to Mason. Even as we chased the Lyulf, I searched the cavern for any sign of Ren. When my eyes found him, my hackles rose. He was limping, holding one paw up as he tried to dodge the fire wolf’s attack. But it was closing in on him, backing him up against a steaming fissure in the rock.

I didn’t know what to do. The other two Lyulf were racing toward Adne. I couldn’t block their attack and help Ren.

Calla? Mason saw the fire wolf stalking Ren too.

Before I could reply, I heard Connor shout, “Calla! Get your ass over here!”

Ahead I saw Connor holding his swords low, his expression bleak as the wolves approached. My heart felt like it was being torn in two. I knew what I had to do.

Ren stands a better chance against the Lyulf than Connor. I sent a shaky thought to Mason. Adne is our only way out of here.

I know, Mason answered, putting on another burst of speed.

Keep moving, Ren, I called to him, not daring to look in his direction again. We’ll be there as soon as we can.

Just keep her safe. His answering thought came almost immediately. Don’t worry about me.

Shut up, I snarled. And stay alive.

We’d almost caught the wolves. I threw all my strength into the leap as I hurled myself over the flaming bodies, landing in front of them and skidding to a stop in front of Connor. I wheeled around, snarling. My appearance startled the Lyulf, which gnashed its white-hot fangs. I dashed forward, teasing it by putting myself nearly within its reach and then sliding just out of range of its teeth. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mason mimicking my actions.

It seemed to be working. Fury at their inability to reach us drew the wolves’ attention off Adne and Connor.

Let’s try drawing them toward Ren.

I was about to make a dash for the alpha, but when I turned, I was shocked to see Ren barreling straight for us. I could see the pain in each movement as he hit the ground with his injured paw. The Lyulf was right behind him and it was faster now that Ren was hurt.

I barked a warning as the fire wolf leapt, but there was nothing I could do. The flaming creature rose into the air, about to come down on Ren’s back.

Roll! I shouted a warning, hoping Ren would hear me in time. Roll to the side!

Ren threw his body away from the descending wolf. But in the same moment another wolf took Ren’s place beneath the attacking Lyulf. And then it wasn’t another wolf but instead it was Shay, a sword in each hand.

The twin swords sliced through the wolf. It screamed, belching smoke. And then there was nothing but ash falling like gentle snow on Shay’s shoulders. He whirled, meeting my eyes as I bounded past him. Shay wielded the blades so swiftly I could barely follow their movement. A second scream signaled the demise of my own Lyulf attacker.

Connor whooped. “Scion!”

The celebratory cry was a terrible mistake. The Lyulf that had been focused on Mason spun around, its burning-pitch eyes narrowing as it stalked toward the Searcher. Mason howled, trying to draw its attack, but the Lyulf ignored him.

Connor lifted his swords as the fire wolf leapt. “Adne, stay back!”

I was running, all too aware I couldn’t get there in time. Shay was at my side, in his wolf form, his toenails clattering on the rocky floor as we ran.

Adne’s scream cut through the chamber. “No!” And then she was there, shoving Connor aside.

Her sudden appearance startled the wolf, throwing its attack slightly off. She threw her arm up and the Lyulf’s jaws locked around her biceps. She shrieked as it took her to the ground.

Connor rolled to his feet. “Adne!”

He threw himself at the wolf, but I reached him first, knocking him aside. Shay shifted, running the Lyulf through even as it stood above Adne. The wolf shuddered and crumbled, blanketing Adne in ash.

“Get off me!” Connor shoved me away from him, struggling to his feet. He rushed to Adne’s side.

“Connor.” Shay was kneeling beside her. “Just wait.”

“Let me see her!” He knocked Shay over, cradling Adne against him. Her eyes were glassy and she wasn’t moving.