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It takes another full minute for the immobilizing spell to completely wear off, even with the help of Memnon’s borrowed magic.

Once it does, I hobble over to the shifter girl. She’s no longer screaming, which is good, but she’s not awake, and she’s far too still for my liking. Kneeling at her side, I check her pulse.

It’s there—and it sounds strong and steady.

I think she’s going to be okay.

“Give me strength,” I murmur in Sarmatian, the words forming as I draw on more of Memnon’s power.

His magic flares through my body, lending me his might.

I lug the girl into my arms once more, trying not to think about just how much I’m in Memnon’s debt. I’ve useda lotof his power tonight.

Got to get to shifter territory.I can worry about the sorcerer later. The most important thing is making sure this girl is safe.

I’ve taken maybe five steps when a monstrous roar fills the night air.

Well, fuck. There’s the monster. Now he’s accounted for.

And I think he’s after my ass.

CHAPTER28

I hate running.Hate it, hate it, hate it.

That’s all I can think as I trip over roots and half stumble, half sprint through the Everwoods, my wounds so numerous, they’ve become one massive ache, one that Memnon’s power is no longer able to fully dull.

Oh, and there’s a monster somewhere in the forest at my back.

Nero lopes next to me, his eyes glinting in the darkness.

Ahead of me, the barrier comes into view, the magical line shimmering just the slightest. The sight of it gives me a final burst of adrenaline.

From the darkness behind me comes another roar.

I eye the barrier again. I’m going to make it—I am—but even so, there’s nothing to stop the monster from following me across.

Have to deal with the creature first.

I fall to my knees and lay the girl down as quickly as I can. After rising to my feet, I back away from her.

“Nero,” I say, nodding to my familiar, “guard the girl.”

In the forest behind me, twigs are snapping and branches are swaying as the monster barrels toward me.

I barely have time to turn toward it before the creature slams into me.

The two of us go down in a tangle of limbs. I hit the ground hard, the air knocked out of me.

Before I can draw in another breath, two monstrous hands close around my neck.

I gasp, my panic rising.

Can’t breathe!

Above me the creature’s lips draw back, and it hisses, revealing sharpened teeth.

If I could scream, I would. The thing looks human, but everything from its pallor to the odd smoothness of its features is wrong.