Chapter 191

AURORA

The air around me was oppressive, as if even the forest itself had set against us. The raw smell of the earth came with something far darker beneath it – fear, and something else, a creeping stench from the Nameless growing in power.

The words of Morwen about the relic replayed in my mind, but they were drowned by the chaos surrounding us. I hadn’t expected this ambush, and neither had anyone else.

We ran. Again.

“Go faster!” I yelled, somehow harsh already as I turned to see Evander lag behind me. He panted, his breathing ragged, the marks on his arms and neck glowing bright with each step.

I could feel the strain on his face, his jaw clenched tightly as he struggled against what was building inside of him.

“Evander, keep moving!” Trajan yelled, sharp but with a lot of concern.

“I can’t,” Evander gasped, body convulsing as he fell to his knees.

“No!” I shrieked, spinning around as a dark surge exploded from him. It was like watching an explosion of a storm from his core. Darkness shot out in circles, cutting the air with a horrible scream. It shook the earth, and this dark magic slammed into the trees, bursting them into shattered wood.

“Evander, stop!” I cried, but it was useless.

Once more, the darkness struck, this time finding a member of our pack who ran with us. With a sharp cry, he was thrown backward into the bulk of a tree.

“Fall back!” Trajan yelled then, his hard grip upon my arm as he yanked me in his wake with the mess expanding. Now his screams were serious, a pure sound of agony, and his hands clawed as if to tear the markings from his skin.

“Evander!” Piper screamed above the noise, as ineffective as the rest of us.

The energy boiling inside of him couldn’t be stopped by the trees, against the fence, in all directions from his body. More members of the pack went down under it, their cries piercing into the dark.

“Get him out of here!” I screamed at Trajan, my eyes welling hot with tears.

“I can’t!” Trajan yelled back, voice cracking. “He’s too far gone!”

A further burst of dark energy burst from Evander, and they all scattered. Dane alone didn’t move back and took a step further toward Evander, face set in some weird decision despite the clear peril.

“Dane, no!” I screamed, but of course, he didn’t listen.

He reached Evander at just the moment another surge of magic erupted. Dane launched himself into it, taking its hit. I watched in horror as with a force that sent him falling across the ground, blood streaked his face.

“Dane!” I cried, rushing to his side.

He was on all fours, coughing brutally, but he still glanced up at me, smiling weakly. “You’re okay. That’s what matters.”

“No!” I shouted, dropping to my knees next to him. “You don’t get to say that! We need you, Dane!”

He shook his head, and his voice was barely audible over a whisper. “Aurora, you have to go. Now.”

“I’m not leaving you!” I exclaimed, my hands shaking with the effort of trying to pull him to his feet.

His hand wrapped over mine, halting me. His grip was weak but firm enough to cause no argument.

“Listen to me,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine. “If the Nameless catches us both, it is over. You need to survive. You need to fight.”

Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. “I won’t be able to do this without you.”

“Yes, you can,” he said, his voice breaking. “You’re much stronger than you think.”

Before I could say more, the sound of footsteps and laughter soaked through the trees. The Nameless’s forces were closing in.

“Go,” Dane begged, desperation seeping from his eyes. “Please, Aurora. Do not let them win.”

I hesitated so much as I hesitated, my heart aching at the sight of him – pale-skinned, bruised body, yet the resolve in his eyes unwavering.

“I’ll be back for you,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

He smiled weakly. “I know you will.”

I forced myself to my feet, my body screaming in protest. Trajan grabbed my arm, pushing me away as I moved back, my eyes never leaving Dane.

I didn’t make it that far. I hid behind a tree, watching in helpless horror as the Nameless forces descended on him. They pulled him up, holding him to his feet. One of them cuffed him across the face and I cried at the blood trickling off his lip.

“Where’s your strength now, hero?” one sneered.

Dane said nothing. He stood tall, his jaw clenched, his eyes filled with determination. Another blow came, and I bit on my hand to stop a sob.

They pulled him away, and I saw the Nameless step forward. It was suffocating just to breathe the same air as him, his form was wrapped in darkness pulsing with evil intent.

He leaned in close to Dane, his voice low, cold. “You thought you could defy me? Foolish.”

Dane didn’t flinch. “You won’t win,” he said, his voice firm despite the pain.

The Nameless laughed. It was a cold, wicked sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Oh, but I already have.”

I watched them drag Dane into the darkness, his figure swallowed up. My legs got weak and I went down hard onto the earth, crying so hard.

Moments later, Trajan and the rest found me. They said nothing. There was nothing to say. Their eyes reflected the same anguish in mine.

I held myself, my body as the weight of our loss crushed down on me.

“We can’t keep losing like this,” I whispered, breaking down. “We can’t…”