Heir of Broken Fate (HOBF Book 1)

I lunge, only to be met with air. Turning, I find Lenox grinning at me. “You’re going to have to do better than that,” he croons.

A fire ball flies for me, only for me to put up a shield of water, the fire sizzling as it connects. I whirl, striking with my sword as my own fire arrows rain upon him. Lenox dodges each one, our swords clashing, my very bones shaking with the force as we spar. Sweat slides down my neck, clinging to my shirt as I pant.

“Forgive me if I’m wrong, but you haven’t gotten a hit in either,” I taunt.

Hazel’s in the corner working on her abdominal muscles, surrounded by her own shield as our magic careens around the room.

I slide my gaze back to Lenox in time to see his sword raised. I bring my own up as I prepare for another fire arrow to assault my shield only for Lenox to freeze, his face draining of color. I open my senses, trying to pinpoint what caused the change in him, when I hear it. Hazel must have heard it too because, in synch, Lenox and I drop our swords, Hazel standing from the workout mat, as we run out of the room.

Entering the front foyer, I see the harried messenger, Hugo, from a few weeks ago, looking just as frazzled as the last time I saw him.

Knox stands in front of him, deadly still, exhaustion and defeat swirling in his eyes. “How many this time?”

Hugo grimaces. “Twenty.”

Knox’s shoulders slump. “Thank you, Hugo.”

The twins dash into the foyer with the same grim faces as our own. “We need to go to the aerial legion today, Knox,” Axel says dejectedly.

Knox nods, muttering before he walks away, “I need a moment.”

We all watch as he goes, my heart screaming for me to follow him, to comfort him. Instead, I keep my feet rooted to the tiles. I can’t cross that boundary.

Everyone’s already in fighting leathers, so we stay standing in the foyer as we wait for Knox to return.

“Are you coming with us, Hazel?” Ace asks softly, breaking the silence.

Hazel jerks her head up. “N-no, I’m going to stay back.”

Ace’s body visibly deflates, a sad smile on his lips as he dips his chin.

The sound of boots thumping against tiles makes us turn. Knox strolls down the stairs, looking nothing like the man who walked up them. His calm mask has slipped back into place. “Harlow, can you spy on the witches? See if they’re involved?” Knox asks.

Harlow smirks, simmering with wicked delight. “You think they kidnapped the Fae?”

If the witches kidnapped the Fae, it would break the treaty, allowing Harlow free rein on whatever revenge she’s surely been plotting for decades.

“No, I think they might be working with whoever is doing this. They miss using dark magic; they wouldn’t let the opportunity pass them,” Knox answers smoothly.

Harlow clicks her tongue, practically skipping as she walks out the door. “It would be my pleasure.”

The moment Harlow steps through the front door, she vanishes only to be replaced by a black hawk swoops low past the entrance, a cry ringing from its beak as it sails away.

Lenox snickers. “You realize she’s going to shit on them right?”

Axel and Ace chuckle darkly. “I’d expect nothing less from her,” Axel says.

“Lenox, I need you to go to the last sightings of the missing Fae. See if you can pick up on any tracks,” Knox cuts in, returning the conversation to work.

Lenox mock salutes Knox, sauntering out of the house with a grin plastered to his face.

“I’m going to start working on an antidote,” Hazel announces. “Now that we know how our magic is lessening, perhaps I can create a tonic to reverse the magic poisoning.”

The corner of Knox’s mouth tips into a smile. “That would be amazing. Thank you, Hazel.”

Hazel beams as she exits the foyer.

“Good luck!” Ace blurts out, his cheeks reddening.

I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. They’re both smitten, and Hazel deserves some happiness. Axel shoves his brother’s shoulder, though genuine happiness fills his eyes. They both continue teasing each other as they exit the foyer, glorious black wings flourishing as they step through the front door.

“I’ll meet you there,” Knox calls over his shoulder.

The twins take off, airborne faster than I can blink as Knox strolls toward me, his tight black shirt stretching to accommodate his broad shoulders.

Does this man ever look unattractive?

He lifts his arm, offering his hand. “We have to fly to the island. It’s too far to teleport,” he says, his eyes sparking with mischief.

I curse myself for not being able to learn how to fly. Each time I try I land on my face, even though everyone makes it look effortlessly easy. Saying nothing and never breaking our gaze, I slide my hand into his waiting one, his very touch sending goosebumps down my arms. This is going to be a long flight.

Knox scoops me up, one arm under my knees as he wraps the other around my back, carrying me through the foyer and out the door as if I weigh nothing. He smirks down at me. “Ready, Angel?” he purrs. Knox doesn’t wait for a response. Glorious black wings blast across his back a moment before he takes off into the bright sky.

I cling to Knox tighter than usual, laying my head on his chest, his warmth seeping into my bones. I tell myself it’s because I’m afraid of flying over the ocean, yet that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Wings, talons, claws, and feathers fill the sky as ginormous beasts fly around the island before us. The creatures, some leathery and others furry, change formations as they run through sky drills. Some fly alone, while others are in packs. Their roars fill my ears, the sound so loud it makes my bones shake. I understand why they keep them here, separate from the cities. They’re so large their tails alone could destroy a building in seconds.

My breath leaves me entirely as a shadow falls over me. A dragon flies over our heads, its booming wings loud in my ears. The belly of the leathery black dragon is white. Its tail swishing from side to side as it soars, the sun gleaming off its barbed spikes. I gaze above me, to the one I know is always watching, always listening.

Dragons are real, Easton.

I watch in shock as the creature roars, a row of sharp teeth glinting as flames spit from its mouth.

Fire-breathing dragons.

Tears rim my eyes for what Easton would have loved and adored—despite their terrifying, scaly faces. The sharp teeth could rip limbs off even a Fae body with just a snap of its jaw.

My gaze follows the dragon as it aims for the island, which grows closer with each passing second. Two mountain peaks sit perpendicular to the other, connected by lower mountain trails, creating a natural half-moon barrier around the land. Warrior compounds are scattered throughout the island in the forest, the ocean shores a deep crystal blue.

Knox flies around the perimeter, swooping low as he soars over the canopy of trees. Below, I spot the roofs of houses for the beasts and the riders who live here.

As Knox lands beside the takeoff strip, a group of griffins launch into flight, their formation tight. The alarmingly ginormous lions with enlarged feathered wings like a bird are astounding to be near.

Knox gracefully sets me on my feet, and I right myself as my legs wobble from the hours-long ride. We meet up with the twins beside a one-story brick building. Neither one of them is speaking yet they’re staring intently at each other, as if they’re having a conversation that only the two of them can hear.

“The creatures are still refusing to fly near the northern side of the island,” Axel says, turning to face Knox.

Knox’s gaze roves around the landing strip. “I want to speak to the general before we head there.”

“I’m going to see Zephyln,” Ace says, pushing off the building.

“Can I come with you?” I ask. It’s not every day I can meet a griffin or dragon up close. Besides, Knox will fill me in later on the information he gathers from the general.

Ace’s eyes are warm as he smiles. “Of course!”

Trailing behind Ace, nerves and excitement buzz through my veins, making my skin feel electric. We walk across pebbled paths, passing rows upon rows of brick buildings. There must be at least over a hundred on the island. My magic is lively and awake, allowing me to sense which ones have creatures residing in them.

Ace veers off the path to the left, approaching a single-story building. He faces me. “He’s friendly but he’s also a beast. Treat him as if you would a dog. Let him sniff you and read your energy before you go near him.”

I’ve never had a dog before. “Okay.”

Ace unlocks the door, pausing before he pushes it open. “They smell fear, too, so be calm.”

I take a deep breath as he opens the door. The smell of fresh grass washes over me, along with the smell of goat. I never want to find out why it smells like goat in a griffin stable.

Stepping into the room I find it’s a living quarter. A two-seated sofa sits to my left, with a small kitchen set up against the right-side wall. A fireplace crackles with embers in front of the couch, and a twin-sized cot is placed against the far corner. Paying no attention to the living quarters and personal belongings lining the bed, Ace strolls to the door perpendicular to the one we just walked through. His lips turn up in anticipation of being reunited with his griffin.

Ace walks through the door, holding it open for me. I step through to see a grass enclosure. High metal fences line the perimeter, separating the griffins’ enclosure on either side. I see nothing at first as Ace walks through the gate. He places his hands on his hips. “We can’t do this every time, Zeph. You know I have to travel for work,” he grumbles.

I bite my lip to hold in my laugh. It’s the most human thing I’ve ever heard a Fae utter.

“I brought a friend for you,” he sing-songs.

“Ace, why are—”

A griffin as tall as my head appears in front of me, its mouth open, canines glinting as it roars. I scream so loud my voice cracks as I fall back on my ass.

Ace throws his head back on a laugh as the griffin stops roaring. Turning, it lies down at Ace’s feet, nudging his legs with its giant white furry head. “I’m going to remember that moment forever.” Ace chuckles. Kneeling in the grass, he pets the griffin behind its ears, whispering to him as Zeph purrs.

I huff. “Are you kidding me?” I wave my hand at Zephlyn, “You couldn’t warn me that he can be invisible?”

Surprisingly, Zeph turns his head to me, as if he can understand what I’m saying and found the encounter as hilarious as Ace did.

Ace’s lips twitch. “Only a few can. It’s extremely rare. Just come and say hi before you insult him.”

Walking through the gate, I keep my eyes on Zeph who surprisingly does the same. He truly is huge. Just lying on the ground, he reaches my hips, his paws the size of my head.

The lion part is amazing enough, but the wings flourishing from Zeph’s back only add to the magnificence of the creature. The wings are feathered and shaped like a bird’s, slumping against the ground as he soaks up Ace’s pats like a dog.

As I slowly approach, Zeph stops purring. I stay still as he stands to his full height. He stalks toward me, slowly, not taking his eyes off mine. My heart begins to thump so wildly I’m afraid it will explode out of my chest. I’m about to protest that perhaps this isn’t a good idea when the griffin stops, slowly leaning in to sniff me and proceeding to huff out the air he inhaled. I drag my eyes up over his furry legs and long mane before finally reaching his blue eyes once more. I hold my breath. Zeph stares at me so intently I think he might be human; this creature understands everything.

They must be sentient beings.

I watch in awe as Zeph sits on his back legs, slowly tipping his head down in submission, an invitation to approach him. I tentatively reach out my hand, the tips of my fingers connecting with his fur. His white coat is shockingly soft, silky even. I bury my hand in the mane, and mimicking Ace’s earlier movements, scratch behind his ear. My lips tug into a grin as Zeph begins to purr.

“He likes me!” I declare, earning a deep chuckle from Ace. He starts scratching Zeph’s other ear, and the purring grows louder. “How long have you had him?”

“Nearly a hundred years,” he says, smiling. “I was obsessed with dragons at first, always wanted one and came here to pick one. Yet the moment I saw Zeph, I knew he was my soul pair.”

One hundred years…

“Are griffins long-lived like the Fae?”

Ace’s smile grows wider as Zeph licks his hand. “Yes, and thank the heavens for it.”

His happiness makes my own heart warm. Watching him with this creature, it’s obvious that he loves Zeph dearly.

Ace’s words from earlier come to mind. “What’s a soul pair?” I ask.

“Some Fae have soul connections with animals, similar to a mate. But this connection is platonic whereas the mating bond is love.”

I frown. “A…mating bond?”

“Every Fae has a mate. Usually when you meet, the mating bond snaps into place. It’s like finding the other half of your soul. Your equal, true partner in life, and in most cases, your true love,” he says dreamily.

“What do you mean usually?” I ask.

He grimaces, lowering his voice. “Mating bonds have become rare over the years. Now that we know the potions are making our magic slowly fade, it’s as if the magic that connects the two souls has been blinded.”

“That’s horrible,” I breathe. “Have any of you met your mate?”

Ace shakes his head. “None of us have. And for all we know, we could’ve already met them and we are just oblivious.” Ace falls quiet, contemplative. I wonder if he’s thinking about Hazel and if she’s his mate. If their bond would have snapped into place the moment he laid eyes on her.

I wonder if Knox has met his mate, if he’ll know who she is once the entrapment spell is broken.

The thought makes me queasy.

I change the topic, trying to draw Ace out of wherever his mind has taken him. “You remind me of my best friend, Easton,” I whisper. “He loved dragons too. He was excited to find out if they were extinct or not.”

“Was?” Ace asks.

My voice lowers, sadness coating my every word. “He died before he could enter the Fae lands.”

“I’m sorry,” Ace offers sincerely. “Do you want to tell me about him?”

I laugh, only for the sound to come out sadder than I meant. “Look in the mirror. You not only look alike, you have the same personality.”

Ace’s eyes widen. “Seriously?”

I nod, a small smile playing on my lips. “Seriously. You have the same eyes, hair, and facial features. You also have similar hearts. Easton’s was full of love and kindness.”

Ace studies me. “Did you love him?”

“I did, with all my heart,” I whisper. “We used to say we were each other’s platonic soulmates.”

Ace’s lips lift into a smile. “Well, I’m glad you got to see the dragons for him. Even if he’s not here, he will always be in your heart.”

I dip my chin, not daring to speak. The second I do, I know the dam within me will burst and I don’t want to ruin this. This moment is for Easton. He would have been happy here.

“Let’s go find Knox and Axel,” Ace says, saying goodbye to Zeph.

I turn to follow Ace only to halt midstride.

Deep golden eyes are staring at me through the metal fence, the eyes belonging to a beautiful black griffin. It’s smaller than Zeph, so it’s either younger or female. It turns its head to the side, more feline than beast as I approach it.© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

“You’re beautiful,” I breathe. My heart gallops, happiness filling my chest as the griffin continues to stare so intently, I swear she’s reading my own soul.

Ace must notice I’m not behind him any longer. Turning, he leans against the fence and calls out, “She doesn’t have a rider. She seems to be stubborn and hasn’t chosen one yet.”

The griffin slowly turns her head, piercing Ace with those golden eyes.

I chuckle. “I don’t think she likes being called stubborn. Perhaps she doesn’t want to settle for an ordinary rider.” The griffin puffs air out of her snout, as if to say she agrees with me. I grin at Ace. “She just knows what she wants.”

I keep our gazes locked. “I have to go, but it was delightful to meet you,” I say with genuine warmth. She truly is beautiful. Her black coat is as dark as the night sky, and those bright golden honey eyes only enhance her beauty.

I cock my head to the side. She reminds me of Creseda.

No, she’s certainly not stubborn; she’s worthy of an incredible rider.

I feel her gaze on my back as I leave, until I disappear out of sight.

Strolling through the main landing area, Ace tenses beside me as we spot Knox and Axel standing next to an older male. All three of them look like they’ve swallowed a lemon as they scowl at each other. Yet it isn’t the older gentleman that has Ace and I wary—it’s the small woman looking down her nose at Knox.

Knox is tense, his entire body taut, jaw clenched and eyes hard as steel as Axel mirrors his stance, looking just as pissed off as Knox.

“Fuck,” Ace mumbles under his breath.

“Why wasn’t anyone informed?” Knox demands.

The older Fae spits. “Why do you think?”

“Settle,” Emmalyn quips.

Knox narrows his gaze at her small figure. “Why are you here, Emmalyn? I thought you didn’t do the queen’s dirty work.”

She clicks her tongue. “Same could be said for you, Prince. Very suspicious timing for you to arrive.”

Axel crosses his arms over his chest. “Why would we take General Fortz’s men, only to show up asking about them?”

Axel’s logical reasoning only further agitates the pair. The older man has gray peppered hair, with small wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. He stands significantly shorter than the men around him. His neck turns red as he grits his teeth, spitting at Knox and Axel, “You all play games.”

“General Fortz, I assure you my court, nor my people, took your riders,” Knox says smoothly.

“Well someone did!” Fortz thunders.

My heart sinks. More Fae have been taken. Not just Fae from the cities, but guards and riders too.

A headache begins to form, a dull throb in my skull. There’s so many unanswered questions and yet they keep piling up as the days go on.

“We’ll look into it, General,” Axel states.

“As is the queen,” Emmalyn interjects, lifting her nose in the air.

General Fortz marches away, swearing profanities under his breath.

Emmalyn steels her spine as she turns to Knox, the move as smooth as a snake. “I suggest you return to Azalea, Knox. Worse things are happening in these lands. You shouldn’t busy yourself with problems that aren’t yours to be dealt with.”

Before Knox can so much as swallow, Emmalyn vanishes into thin air, probably teleporting back to the queen to report on Knox. It’s truly horrid how the queen won’t let the royals be reinstated.

Knox and Axel turn, their grim faces unyielding.

“Is there some place we can talk?” Knox asks Ace calmly.

Ace looks around the area, at the hundreds of men walking around tending to their daily duties. He subtly shakes his head. They stand there for a moment, each one making eye contact, seemingly having an unvoiced conversation.

Axel and Ace spread their wings, flying high into the sky, without so much as uttering a word.

“Where are they—”

I yelp as Knox scoops me into his arms, plastering me to his chest. His wings spread wide, and we take off in the direction of Axel and Ace, who fly in sync with each other, moving as if they’re one. We fly between the two mountain peaks, heading for the northern side of the island, where even the dragons and griffins refuse to fly. Once we pass the mountains, far enough away from the flying creatures and riders with Fae hearing, the men pause midair, hovering so perfectly they look as if they’re standing on a cloud.

“None of this is a coincidence. Someone’s preparing an army,” Axel declares.

My entire body freezes, every muscle within me locking up tightly. Knox’s thumb brushes back and forth on my leg, soothing.

“An army? For what?” I blurt, not able to hide the fear tinging my voice.

“Perhaps they’re preparing to attack,” Ace suggests.

Knox shakes his head. “Whoever is orchestrating this has had one hundred and forty-eight years to prepare. They would have attacked long ago if that was their plan.”

“What’s changed?” Axel asks no one in particular.

That I can answer. The only question I have confidence in answering.

“Me,” I whisper.

The twins look toward me, not in disgust that I spoke, no. I only see kindness and patience as they wait for me to elaborate.

“I came into these lands when nobody else could, I found the hidden dark magic books, and I’m the only Fae that has access to their full magic, the only one that has the power to break the entrapment spell.”

“You think they’re preparing an army to attack you?” Ace asks, horrified.

“No, I think it’s to stop whatever momentum we’ve started. We must be closer than we realize. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent the demon hounds to track me down…alive,” I add with a grimace.

Knox’s chest vibrates as he speaks. “Delilah’s right. We must be closer than we realize; we have something they want.”

Axel and Ace look toward each other, exchanging another silent conversation with themselves.

“What is it?” Knox asks.

Ace outright shudders while Axel grimaces. “What if they want her?”

Knox’s entire body stiffens. “You think they know she can break the spell?”

My heart stops dead. Of course it’s my luck that I leave a home where I’m the target daily, only to end up in another place where I’m hunted once more.

I instinctively brush the tip of my finger down the hard planes of Knox’s chest. He relaxes, yet not entirely.

Ace’s eyes are full of horror as he says, “How would they know she has access to her full powers?”

“Can’t you feel it? Knox felt it that day in the forest.”

Knox shakes his head. “I can feel others’ powers because of how strong my own is. It’s a gift within itself.”

“Could it have been the demon hounds?”

“No, they can’t feel the depth of magic.” He turns his gaze to the twins. “No one outside of my home knows that she has access to her full powers.” Knox tightens his grip on me. “Let’s discuss this when I can shield the room. For now, we need to scout the northern side of the island.”

Axel and Ace dip their heads in unison, flying in front of Knox as we take off, deeper into the northern side of the island. Passing the twin peaks of the mountains, we keep to the outer ridges of the island. From above it appears calm and peaceful, nothing out of the ordinary. It isn’t until we fly past caves embedded in the mountainside does an ancient force slither down my back, making my blood run cold.

“Do you feel it?” I whisper.

It feels wrong, utterly wrong, exactly like the demon hounds.

Knox’s jaw clenches. “There’s demonic beasts here.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “How did they get on the island?”

“I don’t know, but we’re about to find out.”

Knox falls, flying into a current that takes us lower, right to the cave system, Axel and Ace doing the same in front of us. Shields snap around us as I clutch Knox’s arm, making us wholly invisible as tingles spread throughout my body. Axel and Ace fly ahead, above the cave system as to not alert whatever creature dwells inside. Knox, reading my mind, flies past them, spearing his magic throughout the tunnels as we move invisible to those around us. A shiver wracks his spine as he grimaces, banking so sharply I hold onto him for dear life as he aims for the lower edge jutting out of the cliff face.

The wind that assaults me as my feet touch the ground makes me cling to the rock. I look below, my knees trembling as I peer at the sheer drop to the ocean below. Rocks protrude like spikes in the water; if I fell, it wouldn’t be a pleasant swim.

Knox’s voice floats through my mind. Axel and Ace’s eyes are on him too as he speaks to all of us, mind to mind.

There are two creatures inside the middle lower cave. Axel, Ace, take the left to come up from behind. Delilah and I will enter through the front.

I instinctively clutch the blade strapped to my hip, checking that everything is secure and ready, as creature after creature float through my mind, the possibilities of what we’re about to face endless.

Before I can blink Knox’s hand is in mine, the stone beneath my feet disappearing only to return as darkness surrounds us, the ocean at my back. I stand in the mouth of the damp cave, listening to the crackling embers of a fire before us.

My heart stops cold, fear pounding through me as two figures emerge. Standing two feet taller than Knox, the sheer size and muscle on the creatures instinctively makes me take a step back. With the body of a man, gray skin like a rotting corpse, claws for hands, and hooves for feet, I feel bile burn my throat. Their putrid smell makes my nose tingle as I stare at their wolf-like skull they have for a head, their black beady eyes unblinking.

A slithering tongue darts out, their eerie voices like nails scraping down chalkboard. “Hello, Princeling.”

Knox seems completely unfazed as he slides his hands into his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips. “Wendigos. How lovely. Cannibalism hit you in your later years, gentlemen?”

Wendigo.

Creatures that were once Fae, turned into these monsters as they traded pure magic for dark magic. Now I truly feel like I’m going to vomit.

“We’ve been waiting for you,” one sneers.

Knox places his palm over his heart. “How touching, yet I’m afraid I don’t dine with mutts. Please tell your owner I send my condolences.”

The wendigo takes a step closer. “Condolences for what?” it spits.

Knox’s smirk turns predatory. “For this.”

Axel and Ace appear behind the two wendigos, their swords gutting the corpse-like bodies. Even with the dark magic running through their veins, their bodies take damage like any other Fae or human. They grunt, shrieking and squirming as the twins hold the swords in their abdomens.

Knox strides forward, the epitome of calm and collected as he stands before the enraged demons. “Care to tell me who you work for, gentlemen?” he asks casually.

One spits at his feet as the other sneers. “You’ll get what’s coming to you. You all will.”

Knox tips his head to the side. “I don’t believe I will.” Before I can take a breath his hand is embedded in the wendigo’s chest. Its eyes widen before Knox rips out its heart. When he pulls back his hand, his skin is covered in black blood as he clutches a decomposing heart.

The wendigo beside him roars so loudly my ears ring.

Knox shoves his clean hand into its chest cavity, pulling out another rotting heart. The wendigo slumps to the floor, crumbling next to its friend.

“They received orders from a mutt. They don’t know who’s behind any of this. I saw it in their minds,” Knox says as he drops the hearts as if they burned him. Darkness encompasses his hands, the shadows fading to reveal his hands clean once more.

“It’s the only way they can truly die. Beheading doesn’t work,” Axel explains gently, coming to stand beside me.

I grimace. “That is absolutely horrid.”

Knox turns to me, his own disgust marring his features. “Tell me about it. The entire inside of their body is like a rotted animal.”

Ace’s face is green as he stands beside us. “I’m so grateful I’m an emissary.”

I’m about to laugh when power slithers down my spine, ancient and cold, wickedly cruel as it taunts me. I squirm away, my face dropping. “There’s something else in the cave.”

Knox spears his power out, his sapphire eyes sparking with delight. “They were protecting a dark magic book.”

I snap my head to his. “How can you tell?”

“It’s alive and feels exactly like the others in the cellar,” Knox says, treading further into the cave.

I follow behind Axel and Ace as they flank Knox. The deeper we go the colder it gets, the musty cave walls dripping with water as we walk throughout the tunnel system. It isn’t until we reach a dead end that we find it. A cold fire pit sits in the center, bed rolls surrounding the circle. The ground is littered with bones, the smell so putrid it makes everyone dry heave.

Knox leans forward, moving a pile of bones to reveal three books, each pulsing with dark magic as he picks them up. “The beasts are protecting hidden dark magic books. That’s why they’re scattered throughout Aloriah.”

I take a step forward. “They’re guarding the collection,” I say in awe.

Axel opens his mouth to speak when a deafening roar shakes the walls of the cave. Turning wide-eyed to each other, no one wastes any time as we sprint through the tunnel, running as fast as we can to escape the cave. The light from outside begins to shine through, that very sunlight a beacon for our exit as Axel turns the corner. Only to fly back into the wall. Knox and Ace unsheathe their swords as five wendigos walk around the corner, each one quivering with rage as they pass their dead friends.

“Oh look, it’s dinner,” the middle one sneers. A moment before launching into an attack.

My hand shakes as I unsheathe the sword from my back. Spinning, I bring it down with every ounce of strength I have as a wendigo pounces for me. It digs its claws into my arms, ripping the skin beneath my fighting leathers, blood pools from the wound. The blade in my hand sings with the force of my strike as I bring it down clean through its head. Cracking the skull in two, its claws retract from my arm as it crumbles to the ground, twitching and spasming.

I don’t care if it doesn’t truly die. I just need time to get us out of here.

In front of me, Axel’s on his feet, slashing and striking as two wendigos attack him. Ace cleaves them in half from behind, cutting them both through the abdomen in one fell swoop.

Knox’s power blasts throughout the room as another wendigo lunges for me, this one taller, more muscular than the last. I run at it, falling to the ground as I slide beneath it, only to pop up behind and plunge my sword into its heart.

I lift my head at the sound of hooves behind me, from somewhere deeper within the cave system. “Knox.” I don’t dare take my eyes off the cave mouth. The stampede sounds like a war cry.

Knox appears beside me in a second. “We need to pull back. There’s too many.”

Why isn’t he teleporting us? Is he hurt?

Axel and Ace withdraw their swords from the wendigos’ hearts as we start to back out, only to be met with two wendigos at our backs. On the cave’s cliff edge, dozens of wendigos round the corner, caging us in. Panic sinks its claws into my chest, their fury a palpable thing in the cave.

Before the wendigo can attack, a deafening roar pierces the sky. A black griffin sails past us, its mouth open, razor sharp teeth shining. It spreads its claws wide, banking in and ripping the wendigos off the ledge. They fall to their doom on the rocks.

My eyes widen as I realize it’s the griffin from earlier, her deep honey golden eyes on mine as she flies back around. I grab Knox’s hand and scream, “Jump!”

I propel myself backward, leaping off the cliff’s edge, twisting my body as the wendigos’ hands reach for me, their claws trying to sink into my skin. I land on the griffin’s back as she loops back. I clutch her fur, clinging to the griffin for dear life as Axel, Ace, and Knox also leap off the cliff mouth, their beautiful wings blossoming seconds before the wendigo can snag them.

Panting, I throw my leg over her back and straddle her, whispering my gratitude in her ear.

Axel and Ace fly past us, hollering and whooping with joy as they praise the griffin. Knox comes up beside me, his eyes hardening as they lock on my arm. “Are you hurt?”

I peer down. The adrenaline coursing through my blood made me forget that one of them tried to tear my arms off. But the skin on my arm is already starting to stitch together, dried blood caking the surrounding area. I didn’t even feel it.

I never knew Fae could heal themselves subconsciously either.

“I’m okay,” I whisper.

My hands tremble in the griffin’s fur as we fly back to the aerial legion.