NYX’S POV
My legs heated as I ran, my breath coming in brief, shabby gasps. As fast as we ran, the scent of pine and wet earth was heavy in the air, but none of that mattered. We had to keep running, even if we were too tired.
The rogues were close—too close to us. I could hear their steps, through the rustled leaves behind us, their snarls and growls sending cold fear racing down my stomach.
Then, in just a twinkle of an eye, on the verge of escaping, everything changed.
Xander tripped.
One moment, he was in front of me, his strong figure pushing through the damp forest. The next, he was tumbling, his foot hitting on an exposed root. He hit the ground so hard, his head colliding with the root with a sickening thud.
My breath hitched, and my heart froze for a moment.
“Xander!” I g
