Chapter 36

Chapter

Thirty-Six

KILLIAN

T oday we're going to destroy this goddamn quest. Standing outdoors, the cold clings to me. We were escorted by a dozen guards early this morning and told to wait on the edge of the city where the woodland in front of us stretches toward the immense mountains that cast shadows over everything.

Dawn paints pink hues across the sky while the dual full moons hang low. The city behind us sleeps, though several dozen locals have gathered nearby, huddling at the rear of a stone building. They're watching us. I'm surprised that word about our quest has been released to the population. I had assumed the false King would have done everything in his power to conceal it.

Speaking of the fucker, he still hasn't shown up.

My gaze falls on Sage, who's pressed close to Wolfe. He's whispering in her ear, bringing a smile to those beautiful lips. Today, she wears tight black pants, boots, and a fitted long-sleeved shirt. Her long violet hair is pulled back into a long plait, and the look is breathtaking. She looks fucking fierce—clothes courtesy of her sister, who had them delivered to our quarters early this morning.

Wolfe, Nyko, and I stand in our monster forms, and I'm ready to start. Fuck! What's taking so long? Waiting only has doubts creeping in… doubts that we're being set up.

A rising chatter among the spectators has me glancing over to where Sage's father finally approaches with more of his guards in tow. His other daughter is nowhere in sight. A gold-and-red mantle flutters from his shoulders behind him, and he's putting on a show for the people who bow their heads as he passes. Cane in hand, his eyes are dark when he glances our way, his lips twisted in a smirk that makes my blood boil.

"I have kept my word, as I always do," he begins, pausing several feet in front of us, his voice loud enough to carry over the gathered crowd.

I reach over, taking Sage's hand, already missing her, wishing I could bundle her up somewhere safe, somewhere other than here.

Wolfe and Nyko stand tall beside us, glaring at the King.

The fast, rhythmic thud of my heart never slows.

"As the King, I would not be doing my job if I didn't ensure my successor would take care of my Shadowfen. So, are you four deserving of such a position?" He pauses for effect, always the dramatic asshole. "Therefore, you will partake in a quest to prove your worth." The steel is gone from his gaze as he looks over at the locals from the kingdom.

Partake is a far stretch when he gave us no damn option.

These theatrics irritate me. Nyko's fidgeting, and Sage just stares at her father, her brow furrowed. Wolfe nods, his arms tense by his sides, barely holding back from lunging at him.

"And the quest?" Nyko asks abruptly.

The King's grin spreads, almost touching his eyes, the evil behind them infuriating. "Your quest is to kill a Nythrax beast."

A great collective gasp comes from the gathered audience, and now I'm questioning if they're staged for effect.

"The animal resides in the woods, far up in the caves, as it has done since we moved onto this land. No one has been successful in slaying the creature, and more recently, it's started to descend the mountain, picking off my loyal Shadowfen. True heroes would risk anything to protect their Shadowfen. So, I'm certain you four can put an end to it." His gaze lowers to Sage, tendons flexing in his neck, a dangerous look surging over his face—one of destruction, of cruelty.

My fingers curl into fists. Kill him. That's all I can think about.

"Is that all?" Nyko barks, more angry than frustrated. He's shifting on his feet, cracking his knuckles.

A glint of anger burns in the King's eyes. "I'll take that as you're ready, and we'll cease the formalities, shall I?" He claps his hands twice.

An older man in a white robe and with white hair rushes over, mumbling words as he raises his hands toward the ascending forest.

My skin bites from the magic, and the world before us seems to shimmer when a black circle of flames erupts to life ten feet away. The center is large enough for a person to fit through, and it ripples like the surface of water. In moments, it's clear, giving us a window into another place.

I lean in, studying the gateway. Are you kidding me?

"A portal?" Wolfe gasps my exact sentiment. "Since when can you wield such power?"

The King smirks, puffing out his chest. "You think you're the only one who has such abilities?"

The old man who summoned the gateway glances at us in a nonchalant way, as though he's completely disinterested in the King's politics. His arms remain outstretched, assumingly holding the entrance open.

"The portal is workable within a small distance of itself, only within Blight, and?—"

"Let the quest begin," the King roars, talking over him and patting him heavily on the shoulder.

"So, are we doing this?" I ask my team. They all nod instantly, even Sage, and as much as I wish she weren't forced to join us, we're going to make it work.

"Let's move," Wolfe commands.

The false King stands tall, watching us with that same smug grin, thinking he holds all the cards.

We walk forward. Having stepped through so many portals, it's second nature to me. Nyko has Sage by hand, and they walk through the portal behind Wolfe. I take one final glance at the King grinning, and I step through, fucking hating him.

Stepping through feels different this time. Normally, I sense nothing but a rush of darkness, like plunging into an abyss. This one, though, has a lingering buzz, like the magic's still working out the kinks. I stumble out—more like being spat out—and the portal snaps shut behind us.

Wolfe takes the lead, followed by Nyko and Sage, then me at her rear.

The air here is different—heavier, filled with the scent of earth and moss. Shadows dance around us.

"Well, this is fun," Nyko says.

We're all glancing around to find ourselves on a narrow patch of grass. An explosion of trees spread in every direction, and we discover we're standing at a higher elevation than the stone walls that surround the city, and far below, the city sprawls out. We can't see the King, the trees blocking our view, but we're far from him.

Sage is scanning the shadows, her hands clasped across her stomach. I can't blame her for being afraid. She's not a warrior and hasn't been trained to fight. I move closer to her.

"It's going to be all right." I wrap my arm around the back of her shoulders. "Just stay behind us when we encounter it. Find a hiding spot and wait there for us."

"Unless I find a way to use my ability, then I can help." She shrugs, uncertain herself.

"All the help will be needed, and I know you can do it."

She's giving me a lopsided grin, and I hug her, adoring her savagely. It's a cruel thing to have an ability that's playing recluse. When we come into our monster forms and abilities, it's at random ages, and sometimes, they linger just below the surface for years before they take full effect. We're born into human bodies, then we grow into our true forms.

Nyko turns to Wolfe. "You study creatures. Tell us what we need to know about these fucking Nythrax. What is their weakness?"

He's rubbing his chin. "There honestly isn't a lot of research on them as they are loners and extremely territorial. Plus, nearly impossible to destroy." Wolfe's amber eyes grow fiery. "They're also rare, and their only known enemy is the flying Dryvolith because its claws are strong enough to tear through the hide."

"So we're fucked is what you're saying?"

Wolfe scowls, and I'm grinding my teeth because this is going to test us to our limits.

"We're going to have to get creative. Get it trapped, tied up for starters. Now, let's get moving." His hand flicks to farther up the mountain where there's a cave peeking out through the dense forest.

"I need to tell you something," Sage suddenly announces with a sense of urgency in her tone, pausing us.

We all turn to face her.

She takes a deep breath. "My sister spoke to me in my mind yesterday. She showed me visions… our father hurting her, threatening to kill us before letting us move into the kingdom."

Wolfe's brow furrows. "What else?"

Sage swallows hard, her breaths deepening. "I saw him shoving her, calling her useless, and saying something to the effect that he would rather see us dead than allow us to take over. If he finds out she told us, he'll likely kill her. I didn't say anything because we knew he'd be this way, but my sister's been on my mind a lot."

My jaw clenches, and I tighten my squeeze on her. "Fucking bastard."

Nyko laughs bitterly. "Of course he did. No surprise there."

"That's why he's going to die. Only way this will work." Wolfe pauses and reaches out to take her hand in his. "Now, let's move quickly and get this done."

We climb a steep slope, using low-hanging branches to pull ourselves up. I'm at Sage's side, an arm around her waist, practically carrying her.

"You have a huge heart," I whisper. "You barely know your sister, and you care so much for her."

"How can I not? She's stuck in a shitty situation, and I know she's reaching out to me for help."

We reach the cave, and a great guttural roar escapes from within.

Wolfe places his hand over his mouth, making a hushing sound.

Sage presses against my side, staring into the gaping black cave, and I push her to stand behind me, keeping her close. I don't feel safe leaving her outside on her own.

Staring at the cave, Wolfe and Nyko take the first steps inside.

I draw my swords.

When I move into view of the cave, I catch a sudden movement in the cave up ahead. Shadows shift, and I hear the crunch of stones. Something stirs.

"It's here and has seen us," Nyko murmurs under his breath.

None of us move.

It rushes at us—a shadow, a monstrous figure roaring, paws slapping the ground.

Panic surges, and I recoil, gently nudging Sage out of the way. "Quickly, hide."

The glint of teeth is the first thing I see as it emerges. We all scramble back, darting to the side. My gaze flicks to a fear-stricken Sage, who is several trees away, behind a trunk, staring at us.

I swing back to the cave frantically as the beast bursts outside.

It's enormous, four times our height, and completely black. Sharp spikes run down its back, and it has a thick, spiked tail. Rows upon rows of teeth glint menacingly as it snarls, snorting from flaring nostrils. Covered in leather-like skin that glints in the early morning rays, the Nythrax beast is a fucking nightmare brought to life.

We back away farther, the ground trembling under its weight as it stomps in our direction. This isn't going to be a quick fight.

"Stay hidden," I shout to Sage.

"We do this!" Nyko commands.

In a heartbeat, we're charging, moving with lightning speed. I throw myself forward, my swords swinging across his flank, but they bounce off its hide as if it's made of stone. It swirls on the spot, growling and swinging its spiked tail wildly. I leap over the tail, then attack again, slicing my swords into its side because I don't fucking give up, but nowhere I hit breaks skin.

"I can't cut its hide," I call out.

Wolfe scrambles on its back, claws and teeth ripping into the thick skin at the back of its neck. No blood spills… fuck! The beast roars, shaking Wolfe off like he's nothing. He lands in a heap of bushes and jolts to his feet.

Nyko expands his form, dark shadows blotting out the rising sun as he charges the beast. He hits it with the force of a battering ram, knocking it off its feet. We use that moment to attack, knowing that for most animals, the underbelly is usually the weak spot.

I dart in, my swords slashing at it. The beast roars, thrashing wildly. Wolfe is back up, leaping onto the beast's back, claws digging in. Nyko's shadows wrap around its legs, trying to hold it down. It's a chaos of motion, all of us moving with deadly precision.

The beast thrashes, tossing Wolfe off again. He hits the ground hard, but he's up in an instant, a growl rumbling from his chest. I keep slashing at the beast's underside, but it's like trying to cut through steel. I'm not piercing through.

Nyko tightens around his legs as the animal attempts to get up, unleashing a shrieking sound, its claws swiping in our direction. I duck them and attack, but my swords just bounce off the skin.

"What the fuck is this thing made of?"

It loosens its arm from my hold and swings into me, throwing me off, then rakes at Nyko. He flinches away, missed by inches.

I skid across the ground, every inch of me aching from the impact.

Wolfe is back on his feet, leaping at the beast's head, claws outstretched. He rakes across its head, trying to reach for its eyes, and the beast shakes violently. Nyko and I charge again, that fucking tail coming out of nowhere and whacking into us, the sharpness of the barbs catching me across my side. Not deep, but it damn scratches me across my abdomen.

Bellowing, I stumble out of reach, willing my blades to vanish as I reach for my injuries. Blue blood rolls free from the gashes, and it goddamn stings like acid.

It swings its massive tail, hitting Wolfe and sending him flying. He crashes into a tree, the trunk splintering under the force.

I push myself forward, my body screaming in protest. As I glance up, I spot the beast staring in Sage's direction. She's backing into the woods, whimpering.

"No!" I shout, my heart thundering.

The beast snarls, charging after her.

I force myself to my feet, every muscle protesting.

"Sage, run!"

The beast roars, its jaws opening wide.

We're out of time.

"Fuck you," I groan, trying to push myself up, rushing toward him, Wolfe and Nyko doing the same. Fear pummels into me that it's turned its attention to her.

"You're not taking her from us," I bellow.

Not now, not ever.