The forest was silent except for the pounding of our paws.
We hadn’t stopped running since the moment the battle turned — when the rogues we’d brought were slaughtered like pups in the training ring.
“We’re clear,” Gordon panted beside me, his tongue lolling. “She’ll never find us out here.”
I didn’t answer.
Not because I disagreed — but because I wasn’t convinced.
We slowed at last near a half-frozen creek, the moonlight silver on the water. My lungs burned, my muscles ached, but for the first time since we’d fled the battlefield, I let myself believe we were safe.
That was when the scent hit.
Power.
It rolled over us like a breaking storm, so thick I could taste it in the back of my throat.
Not rogue power.
No, this was sharper, cleaner, but far more dangerous.
The figure ste
