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They part for us.

We form up.

Seven gives the signal.

A hail of arrows disperses the mob nearest the gate and the pounding stops.

The gates are flung open.

Monsters, crude and horrifying, await us. We charge. The two sides meet, weapons clashing in a giant melee.

The only outcome is life or death.

Cries, screams, hoots and howls, growls and grunts.

We surge inward, cutting down all who stand in our way. They are pushed back, or they fall.

Deep in the midst of this, in the eye of this storm, we shall find Eiden and Fawn.

Fawn

My hands shake as I don the clothes. They smell musty, but I’m glad for the covering.

“Why is that man helping us?” I ask, suspicion coloring my tone.

“I killed his master during my rampage. He appreciated it.” Eiden’s stag jaws widen in the semblance of a grin. He strides over to the shadowy corner. Here, he hefts a giant sword in his hand that I only notice now was tucked against the wall. “This was his master’s sword. Now, my sword.”

I question what creature he might have stolen it from, for it is immense.

Then I question what this makes Eiden to have battled him to claim it.

“What?” he asks, staring down at me through those strange, whirling winter blue eyes.

I am battered and bloody, filthy, and wearing rags, but a small smile finds my lips. I lift up onto my tiptoes, put my arms around his neck, and pull him down so I can kiss his strange, beastly lips.

A low, rumbly sound emanates from his chest. He stoops and hoists me up with his free hand under my ass. I wrap my arms tighter around him and bury my nose against his deeply furred neck. He is huge, fierce, and protective. His usual scent has a strange yet compelling smoky undertone.

He is magnificent. How could his brothers ever call him weak? They were fools and they have paid the price. If only they could have seen the wonder that is all sides of Eiden, how their herd would have prospered and been the richer. Instead, they allowed prejudice to jaundice their eyes. That they underestimated him cost them their lives.

“How will they find us,” I ask, anxiety making a knot low in my belly as I realize he intends for us to leave this room.

“Do you remember that time when Nox and I were with you in your nest?” Eiden asks.

Heat floods my cheeks. “How could I forget? But I don’t understand?”

“Nox can sense strong emotions from me. He can sense when I need him. They are inside the city now. He will be coming for me… They will all be coming for us. But we are too deep underground, too deep in the city. They will never get to us. We have to meet them halfway. We have to go out into Wormwood.”

Nox

We push ever deeper, sending the criminal thugs scattering to their lairs, trusting in Seven’s ancient knowledge of this place and instincts beyond our comprehension to guide us in this.

Fires burn, and weapons continue to clash amid the rush and roar of men and monsters battling. I lose myself in the flow,empty my mind and thoughts, allowing instincts to take over. Ahead of me are Seven and Jude…to my right, Gideon.

A prickling sensation comes first.

Then the long-established connection to Eiden blazes like a beacon in my mind.

I feel him… only he is different.