“Kalix, take Iris to the horse. Now. Millicent you’re with me.”
His tone leaves no room for argument. Kalix scoops Iris into his arms and takes off sprinting down the road.
“I have no weapon and no magic,” I snap. “Am I bait?”
“The horse can’t carry three, and Iris can’t fight. This is the best option.”
He steps in front of me, pulling the two daggers from his thighs. “Here, you can have these.” The cool hilts settle into my palms. They’re too small for my liking.
I frown. “Wonderful. I get to be up close and personal.”
Cage’s fingers slide beneath my chin. He tips my head up until our eyes meet.
“You can handle it, witch.”
I roll my eyes.Of course I can, you idiot. I yank away, storming past him, checking his shoulder with mine as I move into the field.
“Me missus!”
On command, Ollie appears at my side. His joy turns to intrigue when he spots our grotesque company.
“Ollie, fix my blades, baby,” I say sweetly, offering the daggers without further explanation. Our bond makes words nearly redundant, his soul is tied to mine. He knows what I need.
Hovering, Oliver flaps his wings vigorously. His eyes glow as magic lifts the daggers from my hands. Light blue energy shimmers around them. They twist mid-air, lengthening and reshaping until they become short swords.
I take them back and test their weight in my hands. Perfect.
The Edax strikes just as it’s recovered.
Its serpentine speed sends it barreling toward me, jaws wide. But Oliver casts a barrier just in time. A translucent cocoon flares around us. The creature’s fangs slam against it with a crack.
“Rude,” Oliver mumbles, side-eyeing the monster.
“If you stay, stay back and be safe,” I remind him.
He obeys, lowering the shield and doing as I request. I step forward, just as the Edax turns its attention to Cage.
While it lunges at him, Cage feigns movement and quickly parries with his shield, baiting the strike to hack at its neck. I flank it and dig my blades into the back of its hind leg.
It snarls and lashes out, trying to slash at me with its talons. I sidestep and pull, dragging down both blades, cutting through tendons until the limb gives out.
The beast collapses onto one knee.
Cage doesn’t hesitate.
He sees the opportunity to bring his blade down hard, carving through its neck.
The head rolls. The body crumples beside it. Blood floods the grass in thick rivulets.
I take one breath. Maybe two.
Then—
Wails erupt from the trees. Fromeverywhere.
“That sounds larger than just a typical pack,” I mutter, trying to pinpoint the wails’ origins. They’re all around us. Their cries echo from every direction; there’s too many to count.
I glance to the woods where more shapes emerge from the shadows. I count at least twelve.
