r the sou

ts weight. A low vibration rolled through the ground beneath my boots, subt

ngs began

g the figures as if remembering them into existence. The wolves-men-things caught between f

mmered so h

ed, though the words felt childi

responded w

remor, just enough to unbalance me. I stag

my arm with

Protective in a way that fe

hind me,

don

from the trees, wings thrashing wildly as they fled into the dark. The air t

e centre of th

ng in brief, uneven flashes. The forest around us seemed to recoil, s

ough me, sharp

ath it-e

my veins. I felt awake in a way I never had before, every nerve alig

ipping his sleeve,

clenched. His eyes n

," he said. "And

a sound like stone g

a thin, blinding line. Heat washed over us, not burn

. Running. Teeth. Blood darkening soil. The sound of

, dropping

aced in front of me like a shield. His body was tense,

d sharply. "Don't lo

di

ght fl

d come. The seam sealed itself with a final, resonant thud, the glow fadin

rest e

ere in the distance, laughter drifted faintly from

ed I was

et go of me un

his hand. I took it, surprised at how

tell anyon

't a su

o one would

ot why,"

none-only resolve, heavy and unearned, like he'd

the lights of the party,

t quietly in

it