"You believe I have fear of him?"
Dax walked the edge of the clearing, his amber eyes shining with hardly controlled wrath, his voice a low, menacing growl. The far-off cry persisted in my thoughts, a terrible reminder that my history was creeping in quicker than I could have ready for it.
Though my body still hurt, I straightened and pushed power into my voice. Dax, this is not about fear. It has to do with survival.
His eye turned sharply and relentlessly to meet me. "I run from threats not from here."
"Good," I corrected. Since we are not running this time.
The scout moved forward, still pale from identifying Sebastian's wail. You have no idea what he is capable of.
Coldly, memories of Sebastian's treachery ripping through me, I murmured, "I know exactly what he's capable of." But he is not the only one with authority these days.
The scout faltered. He will not be alone if he finds you.
"Neither will I," I said decisively, looking at Dax. Though our disagreements, I could sense his constant presence like a strong wall behind me.
Dax crossed his arms, his face insensible. "Let him accompany us. We will be prepared.
We did not waste any time. For now, whatever tense ceasefire Dax had with the scout held. Sebastian's entrance threatened to eclipse every last resentment.
Dax lost no breath on encouragement or lecturing. His orders were stern, his standards merciless. But I had changed since the last time we worked.
"Again!" he cried as I moved with fresh confidence dodging his attack. Though furious and wild, the energy inside me still blazed and I was learning to manage it—to utilize it.
He rushed, claws spreading, but I turned gently, allowing instinct to lead me. My blade gleamed in the moonlight, barely inches from his side, then I withdrew.
His smile was almost like approval. "Better"
We worked on every capacity, hardening ourselves against the certainty of what was ahead for many hours. Dax tested me mercilessly, his attention never wavers; the scout watched the margins of the clearing.
Still, this time I pushed back. Driven by something deeper than survival—determination, I tackled every obstacle squarely.
"Still holding back." Breathless taunting, I deflected his next attack.
He focused his gaze, his smile bright. "Caution, Luna. You are starting to grow cocky.
I turned aside and made him follow. "Maybe I've got a reason to be."
Our eyes met, fire flickering between us like a real flame. For a brief instant, unsaid words—trust, respect... perhaps more—thickened the air.
The breeze changed, smelling sharply metallic like blood before any of us could say. Dax tensed; his senses grabbed hold.
The scout became somber as he hurried back into the clearing. "We are having difficulties."
Dax moved into his wolf form without saying, his claws sinking into the ground as he took point. I pulled my sword, ready for whatever next occurred.
But what came out from the woods was a lone wolf, beaten and bleeding, almost able to stand—not another corrupted rogue.
The wolf rasped, fell at our feet. "Help... me...." Blood matted his fur; unusual marks burnt into his body, symbols hauntingly identical to those I had seen on the cursed altar.
My heart thumping, I bent next to the wolf. "Who did this to you?," said
His eyes flashed open, blurry with agony. "She's coming, the shadow mother."
Dax turned back into human form and grimaced. "What is her desired??"
His chest retched with the breath of the wolf. She wants you, too.
His eyes locked on mine, and I shivered down my back. Your fire; your kid; the prophecy;
The wolf's body jerked before I could demand more; he went motionless with a last, choked gasp.
Dax softly drew me back as the scout examined the corpse to validate our knowledge already.
"He was sprinting from something," Dax said. Not just in terms of rogues. Something... worse.
The fire within me blazed, ferocious and seeking release. I forced it down by tightly closing my hands. She is aware I am here.
Dax's voice dropped and his face clouded. Then we take our position here. Stop running now.
The scout nodded in grudging compliance. "We'll be outnumbered if Sebastian's arriving also."
"Let him come," I shouted angrily, staring Dax in the eye. "We'll confront them together."
The wind howled once more before we could transfer the body—but this time it was not Sebastian's call. That was something considerably deeper and far older.
Under our feet the earth shook, and the hum returned—deeper, more forceful. The forest itself appeared to be breathing.
Dax pulled his sword, his voice sharp with will. " readiness or not... it's time."
This time, however, I was not terrified.