“Don’t listen to it, Lyra!”
My mother's scream came just before the creature dragged itself in through the broken floor.
The claws broke rock.
Something huge was rising from the darkness below. I staggered back, my legs barely able to support me.
It was a wolfe.
But not in a Kael way.
Not like any wolf I’d ever seen.
It was covered with black fur that seemed to suck the light from about it. Silver lines ran across its chest like glowing scars and its eyes burnt with a pale, unnatural light.
Kael was between us.
His massive black wolf body rumbled, every muscle in his body taut.
The creature gazed at him.
And then it grinned.
A wolf was not supposed to be able to smile.
But this one didn't.
“Ashthorne.”
The voice rolled around the room.
Kael let his head fall slightly, claws
