True North [True North series book 1/3]

“What did you do?!” Warrian yelled, probably not too happy about the idea of two deadly predators chasing us now.

“It’s our only shot,” I yelled back, and yipped again.

I could see it now, the Nioph approaching in my peripheral view. I did it — I had summoned the Nioph. A weird mix of pride and hope filled me, fueling my internal fire. The Nioph was charging at us, full speed ahead. It opened its mouth and let out a roar that shook me to my core. I grimaced, finally realizing I hadn’t thought this part through.

I was starting to feel weaker and more light-headed by the second. I let go of Warrian’s hand.

“You go on,” I panted, “thanks for everything.”

Warrian tried grabbing my arm, but I dodged him, and took a quick turn. The Nioph was now seconds away, and luckily, it seemed fixated on me.

I could distract it — buy Warrian some time. I slowed my running, and turned to face the beast. It crashed into me a split second later, its head ducked low, sending me flying into the air. My body flung around like a rag doll, my weak limbs whirling and crashing into each other painfully.

I landed on my side, right on top of the Nioph’s back. I immediately moved to my belly, arranging my injured arm to my side so I wasn’t on top of it. I clutched my legs around the Nioph’s huge ribcage, gripping it as best as I could. I grabbed onto its fur with my free hand, fully preparing myself for the Nioph to start shaking me off its back.

But it didn’t. It kept running, but its steps seemed almost hesitant. As if it was waiting for an instruction. I realized not to question it too much — we didn’t have much time. The ominous presence was still on our heels, I could feel it coming closer.

“Warrian!” I whisper-yelled, “War!”

I scanned my surroundings for signs of him, but it was too dark, and we were moving too fast. I leaned forward, bringing my face as close to the Nioph’s ear as I could.

“We need to help my friend,” I whispered, digging my fingers deeper into the Nioph’s pelt. “Please, please help me find him.”

The Nioph let out a low roar that almost sounded displeased. It took a sudden turn, darting into the woods to our right, and slowed its running slightly.

Then, I saw him. Warrian was running in our direction, his dagger clutched in his fist. I burned my eyes into his face, willing him to look up at me — to see me. His eyes flicked up to meet mine, and I shook my head.

“Come here,” I mouthed, now mere seconds from crashing into him. Warrian’s eyes darted between me and the Nioph, and then somewhere behind me.

“Help him,” I whispered to the Nioph, “please.”

We stormed toward Warrian, and I extended my good hand.

Our hands collided with a loud clapping sound, and we locked our fingers around each other’s palms. Because of the Nioph’s speed, and my lack of something to hold onto, instead of pulling Warrian onto the Nioph’s back, he pulled me off instead.

I tumbled into him, and my head hit his shoulder painfully. We ended up on the snowy forest floor, both clutching our aching bodies. I gave up. I couldn’t do it anymore — I was too weak, too hurt, too broken. I was going to die here, in this dark, cold, strange world, leaving my brothers utterly alone.

No. No I wasn’t. I had made it this far — I was so close to finding Morai, to going home. I had survived nearly drowning in a pool of liquid silver, not one but two Ku’lan attacks, a neck bite from a deranged Crown Prince, visiting some kind of murderous seer, and the sheer exposure to the elements in this freezing, unknown world. I was not going to give up. I shakily rose to my feet, and turned to finally look at the presence that had been stalking us.

There was nothing there. Nothing but dark, looming emptiness. No monster, no beast — just pitch-black silence. Warrian stood up beside me, wrapping his hand around mine. I glanced at him, and was shocked by the sheer terror on his face.

I glanced back at the darkness, and wondered if his trained eyes were seeing something I wasn’t. Then, the thudding of heavy paws picked up behind us. We both ducked as we felt the Nioph ran up and jump over us. It landed on its feet, and disappeared into the darkness.

It simply disappeared. It didn’t fade out of sight, the way it would have if it had just ran too deep into the forest for me to see, no — it appeared to be swallowed by the darkness. And then, the noises started.

A whirlwind of snarling, hissing, growling and screeching, and suddenly, a deafening, low sort of of humming reverberated through the air, shaking the snow-laden trees around. They showered us in freezing, glittering snow. We each got a fresh coat of it, Warrian and I, the Nioph, and… the other thing.