Leah Carter’s Point of View
The shadow moved fast, too fast for thought, too silent for mercy.
I didn’t think, I launched myself forward, every nerve on fire. The silver glint of the dagger caught the moonlight a heartbeat before it would have plunged into Emma’s small chest.
“NO!” My scream tore the night apart. I crashed into the intruder, knocking them off balance. The dagger sliced through my sleeve, grazing my arm, but I didn’t care. I hit the ground hard, rolling, dirt in my mouth, blood hot in my nose. The assassin hissed, quick as a striking snake, lunging again.
I grabbed a handful of earth and flung it into their face. The move bought me one second, just one, but it was enough to scream, “KAEL!”
The forest answered, branches cracked. The air exploded. Kael’s black wolf form
