Chapter 12
I stepped back, my pulse racing, fear clenching my chest. My feet tripped over a log, and I fell onto my back, my fingers digging into the cold earth.
The dark form, more human than animal, leapt to the ground in a crouch. Then, deathly slow, it unfolded itself into a tall and looming figure. And by its wide shoulders, probably a man. I could see nothing of its features, but an energy billowed outward from it. Powerful. Deadly.
As soon as it took a step toward me, a surge of Light raced through my veins and shot from my hands wildly into the forest. I gasped and scrambled along the ground backwards. My gaze returned to the shadows, frantically searching for the creeper, but he was gone. Or hiding again.
I jumped to my feet and bolted, running as fast as I could back down the
