38. CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 38

KALYLL

Panic and determination combined in an explosion of energy inside my chest as a burst of bright energy swept through the trees. I felt it like a gust of wind, the brightness piercing my eyes sharp enough to hurt.

Blinded, I kept running forward, with only the memory of the trees to guide me forward. On that memory alone, I veered left. My side scraped against ruffed bark, tearing at my fur, but I didn’t slow down. I barreled through, dodging sightlessly.

Soon that map inside my mind came to an end. I opened my eyes a sliver. A large dark shape loomed in front of me. In the last instant, I leaped to one side, avoiding a thick tree by mere inches. Squinting, I did little more than perceive shapes, but it was enough.

Dani, I’m coming!

As long as that light shone, I knew she lived. I had seen a similar display from her when she fought Varamede. Now, I had no idea who she was fighting or why such a violent release of power was necessary, but I would not lose her again—not to the deep slumber that had taken her before, not to anything at all.

My paws thudded against the ground as I galloped at a dizzying speed. Finally, I reached a clearing. My limited eyesight and my other senses alerted me to the presence of others. I smelled blood and fear. I heard moans and grunts, as well as a familiar voice.

“We need to do something,” Jeondar was saying.

In the middle, the brilliance of a small sun dominated the scene. It was like the fight with Varamede all over again, except this time, the tableau displayed light fighting against light.

I skidded to a stop, unsure of what to do. I had no idea who she was fighting. It was impossible to tell, but whoever it was, their energy was starting to overpower hers.

NO!

She had already given so much for me, and for a realm that wasn’t her own. I would not allow anyone to hurt her.

The stream of light stretched before me, its source masked by the brilliance. I tried to catch Dani’s scent to determine her exact location, but there was no hint of it. What in all the realms?!

“I can get through.” Kryn’s voice came from the other side of the luminance.

I didn’t know if he was in trouble, but I wouldn’t be distracted by him or anyone. Instead, I focused on the light, opening my eyes a little wider than a mere sliver. Tears filled them. I shook my head and cleared my sight.

Then I knew: the exact shade of my mate’s magic. She was to my left, and her opponent to my right.

Roaring, I pushed on my hind legs and took a mighty leap.

I crashed against an invisible barrier and fell to the ground. What was this? There was some sort of force field around her, a barrier not of her making. I could tell by the foul feel of it.

It was Mythorne!

He was her opponent, and he had locked everyone out to ensure he could destroy her, to prevent us from coming to her aid.

I scrambled to my feet, already knowing what I must do to get to her.

Wasting no time, I let myself dissolve into shadows.