The icy, purposeful voice of the successor reverberated through the jungle, encircling me like a noose. Fear flooded my chest as I gripped the rusted poker tighter, its weight grounding me. Marcus stood at my side, bruised but determined, while Ethan lay behind me, his weak breathing the only indication of life.
"They've located us," Marcus said in a quiet, somber voice.
Even though my hands were shaking, I muttered, "Not yet."
Through the trees, flashlight light flickered, and the shadows of the successor's men grew closer by the moment. Every beat of my heart echoed like a war drum in my ears as it slammed in my chest.
With his knife shining in the cabin's dim light, Marcus walked to the door. He said, "Stay back," in a tone that made no space for debate. "I'll pull them away."
"No," I hurriedly responded as I moved forward. "You won't succeed on your own. We battle together.
