"It's almost dark. Are you sure Caesar's coming?" Zane asked.
No one answered. They couldn't. They were only relying on prior information.
Elana hugged herself tighter, she was really nervous—terrified she'd slow them down when the moment finally came.
The ground rumbled.
An explosion—far, but close enough to shake their insides.
"He's here," Cara breathed, hope rising in her voice.
"Come on, Elana." Zane took her hand. Was it really going to be that easy?
A chance at a new life.
Another explosion. This one shook the ground hard enough that dust drifted through the air. The shouts of prison guards rose outside.
Zane pulled her close, his tobacco breath brushing her nose. "Listen, Elana. You have to get on my back."
She hesitated.
"It's the only way for you to keep up," he said. "We move with the chaos."
She nodded. Not like she had a choice. Fear could wait. Survival couldn't.
The next explosion hit close—too close. She stumbled; but Zane's strong arms caught her before she fell.
"Cara!" another male voice yelled.
"My love!" Cara cried back—Caesar?
"Thought you'd never show, Caesar." Vaughn's voice confirmed.
Caesar didn't waste time. "Let's go. There is no time."
Zane lifted Elana onto his back. The air tasted like dust and smoke. His movement was rough, but she held on tight, burying her face against him and silently praying.
**
Trisha's face was red with fury—something Azael didn't think vampires could manage.
"Of all people," she snapped. "You choose to rely on Eira for information."
Azael sighed. "The boy said she was dead. I needed answers."
"It shouldn't matter to you if she's dead or alive. Your fate is disastrous in her path."
Trisha had appeared mid-conversation with Eira just as he learned Elana was in the King's prison.
Relief had washed over him—her heart was still beating. That was all he cared to dwell on, even as Trisha spoke in front of him.
That alone kept him from silencing her.
"I was looking out for her," Azael said. "Like you said…she's a good girl."
Trisha froze. She'd seen something. Honestly, he preferred she not speak about it.
He was planning to go to Elana himself… or take her.
The thought lingered.
"You can't just do anything you want, Zel," Trisha said quietly. "She's in the king's prison because of your mark."
"A lycan bit her too."
"A lycan can pass as a wild animal. A vampire's mark can't. Humans aren't clueless anymore, Azael. They're starting to question everything."
"Is that why you won't tell me what you just saw, Trisha?" he asked, eyes fixed on hers.
"You're greater than…whatever test fate is throwing at you," she whispered. "She's just a blind girl."
"You were just as helpless when I found you, Trisha."
Trisha held his stare and sighed, "Send your bats out tonight."
And she vanished—on purpose, leaving him with more questions.
**
Elana slid off Zane's back once they reached the hill. She could hear his breathing—strained from carrying her—so she insisted she could walk.
He held her hand as they climbed.
At the top, she heard the night insects, felt the cool mist on her skin, and smelled fresh leaves and damp earth.
Freedom.
They kept moving. The rustling sound of leaves told her they were deep in the forest.
"That went better than I expected," Zane said. "The soldiers didn't even notice us leave."
"Thanks to Cara," Caesar said. "She brought up the plan."
Cara laughed—relaxed, happy. "We both did, my love."
Elana smiled. Zane squeezed her hand. "You ok?"
"I'm okay," she said softly. "I'm also glad we escaped."
"I'm mostly glad you trusted us enough to come," he said.
"Vaughn?" She asked.
"Right here, sweetheart." Vaughn said between breaths "These old bones can only take so much."
"We need to keep on going," Cara said. "We can't risk morning meeting us in Lumere."
Elana felt damp grass under her feet, sticks snapping beneath her steps.
Then Zane stopped. She felt the sudden tension in his arms. "Guys…I hear something."
"Come on," Caesar said, frustrated."We need to move. We can't stop."
Then Elana heard it too—fast movement circling them. More than one creature.
"What's that?" Cara whispered.
Panic tightened in Elana's chest, had the soldiers caught up?
The noises grew louder, circling them. Then it stopped—only to be replaced by low, vicious snarling.
The smell hit her—rotting flesh.
She knew that scent.
The same kind of creature that had bitten her on the arm.
Her hand shook in Zane's hold.
Metal clicked.
Vaughn said, "Probably animals. Don't worry, we've got guns."
A scream tore through the dark.
"Fuck!"
Then a dragging sound.
"Vaughn!" Zane shouted. "I can't see him!"
"We need to move!" Caeser yelled.
**
Cara tried to control her breathing, her heart racing even as she held Caesar.
They didn't move. Forward or back—it didn't matter.
The snarls ahead promised only danger.
Vaughn's scream had ripped raw, hot fear into her for the first time as a soldier who braved war fronts.
Caeser wasn't here for it. He let go of her hand and cocked his gun, gripping it with his half-gloved hands, ready.
"Vaughn!" Caeser screamed.
Multiple gunshots rang behind them, followed by Vaughn screaming like he was being torn apart.
The agonistic sound struck more horror into their hearts.
Elana clutched Zane tight. The vicious snarling continued.
"Most animals in this forest can't drag a man," Caesar said, his Adam's apple bobbing. He didn't let go of his gun.
From his pocket he pulled out shiny silver bullets, swapping them in.
Cara was too tense to ask why he was switching bullets at the moment.
"Zane," Caesar called. But before Zane could answer, a maniacal laugh came from ahead.
They turned—and froze.
A silhouette emerged, a man in a trench coat, his long hair whipping in the wind.
Caeser didn't waste any time, he fired multiple times, but the bullets did nothing.
The man advanced with an unnatural speed, laughing louder.
Man-sized wolves emerged from the shadows, standing on hind legs, waiting.
Horror struck Cara; she screamed, falling to the floor, heart beating. This was a very bad way to die.
The mysterious man closed the distance immediately, lifting Caesar's bulky frame by his throat. The pressure made Caesar drop his gun as he struggled to breathe.
Cara could see him clearly now: blue eyes scanning her from within strands of blond hair, a sick and menacing grin.
His eyes lit up with excitement when they landed on Elana, making the grin wider.
He slammed Caesar violently against a tree. No sound came from him. Was he dead?
The man approached Zane and Elana.
Zane was frozen. Cara was dejected. They were outnumbered by a strength unlike any they'd faced. Very inhuman.
Then, from behind her, came his voice, a deadly mix of man and beast:
"Ginger hair, slightly darker skin…by chance, are you acquainted with a certain Azael?"