The Hybrid Mage: Of Ember and Claw

noticed was the

. I was lying on the bank, half-submerged, with the cool rush of water sliding over my

from my body, but faint streaks of red lingered on my skin. My heart sank as I

first time I'd

lways li

focating, empty space where I couldn't see, hear, or feel anything. She always to

ne, and I was left to d

t stains until my skin stung. The stream's current carried aw

yself. 'She only hunts animals. She's d

ckered in my mind, so sud

arp

alling to

yes staring

haking my head. "That's n

mals,' I reminded myself

hey pressed in. The sound of ripping fabric. A woman's voi

nds trembling. "It's not real,

rfaced in my mi

ai

orked at the shop next to my father's forge. I didn't

beast hav

st. The idea was unthinkable, impossible.

ld s

eflection in the water was pale, my eyes wide and haunted. The beast

why, but I f

es reached my ears, dis

uldn't have gone far!" His thick voice was

grippe

had been killed tonight, and the villagers were

the beast stirred within, and my pace quickened. I ran faster than any human sh

hing like long fingers in the moonlight. If

,' the beast's voic

d through me, and I sprinte

enses were likewise sharpened as I moved frantically in search of a place to hide, the damp earth cool beneath my bare feet. Ever

catch me,' I thoug

n. A clawed hand. A scream cut sh

spered. "It

My enhanced vision picked out a small grey rabbit hopping through the shadows.

nose, then darted away,

th ahead. The villagers' voices were growing fain

it-a soft gr

my breath catch

xed on me. A massive figure stepped into view, its

ere

doing here . . . i

ling like static. I took a shaky step back, but the were

whispered, my v

dn't

gs as fear stole any control I had of my blad

the distance. "The forest!

, its massive frame radiating a feral energy t

e don't catch the killer tonight!" The en

, and with a powerful leap, it disappeared

OV

to reality. My legs wobbled beneath me, but I force

est blurring around me. My senses were still heightened, ever

voice pierced the silence: "

" I muttered, p

d yanked me away, silencing my cry