The forest grew denser the further we ran, branches snagging at my cloak as the cold air bit at my skin. My chest heaved, every breath painful, but I couldn't stop. Not with Lisa still out there, and not with the magic-user behind us. I could hear the sound of clashing steel fading, but my mind was fixed on one thing.
Find Lisa. Keep going.
Kael tugged me forward, his grip firm but not painful. His expression was tense, his eyes scanning every shadow. "We need to lose them," he said through gritted teeth, pulling me through the trees. "If they track us-"
"I don't care," I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended. "We need to find her. Now."
Kael didn't argue, but his eyes were filled with worry. "Lady-"
Suddenly, Fenric appeared from the shadows, breathless ad disheveled. "They're gone," he panted, his sword dripping with something dark and foul. "I managed to push them back, but we don't have much time. We need to keep moving."
