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She didn’t hesitate; Ayla leaped. Despite the height of the ship and the distance between us, she landed gracefully on the other side. “See? It’s not that hard.”

I pulled darkness to me, and relying on the omnipresence of shadows, I transported myself to the turtle’s back.

I claimed the high ground, standing over Ayla on the sloped ground of the turtle’s shell. “And that is even easier.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Show-off.”

“You started it.”

She grinned and ran, taking off deeper into the dark forest. “Well, can you catch me?”

I shadow-stepped, blocking her path, leaving only a hand’s width between us. “I could catch you.”

Ayla flushed as my sudden appearance impacted her. My throat tightened, thick with desire.

She gave a long sigh, like savoring a scent, then rolled her shoulders and stepped back. “Fun,” she said with a grin.

Then her lips tightened, becoming serious as her gaze turned distant. She pointed. “I think that’s where we’re supposed to go.”

An archway rose from the apex of the shell, hidden by dense trees, its dark boulders covered by moss. Nestled in the trees, it had been difficult to distinguish from the surrounding foliage. Now it was obvious. This was the focus of the forest.

We walked closer, our playfulness turning to caution. I watched her back.

Upon approach, I could see that the archway seemed to open to another realm. It led to a room with no windows, only doors. Judging from the craggy walls, it was carved out from a cave. This room was an atrium. It led to four other doors, each marked with a different element.

“Do you think the Firewolf is there?” Ayla asked.

I paused, considering.

—snaaap—

We reacted, turning back to back, guarding each other.

“Come out!” Ayla called. “Whoever you are. Where is the Firewolf?”

16 | The Trial of Leodoras

Ayla

“I am the Firewolf.”

Her voice resonated, echoed by the land we stood on. When she next spoke, the resonance faded, the voice sounding from a clear direction. “You can call me Ninti.”

She stepped out from behind a tree, her paws crunching on fallen leaves, flickering fire heating her fur. Her signature of fire and cinnamon bloomed on the air.

She was terrifying, with teeth, claws, and flame; she was beautiful, her green eyes welcoming me home.

Home.Relief crashed into my soul, powerful enough to make me weep. I fell to my knees. My arms spread wide, welcoming her.

How I was capable of trust like this, I would never understand. Fortunately, I didn’t have to. I just held her gaze.

She strode toward me. With each step, she transformed, shifting smaller.

She shrank herself, becoming the size of a large furry dog instead of a giant wolf. The flames on her shoulders and chest drifted upward, becoming smaller tongues rising from perked ears. From the tip of her tail, a new flame appeared.

With her new appearance, she was more adorable than threatening, and my heart leaped with eagerness, my hands waving, beckoning her closer.

She stepped into my embrace. Tongues of fire kissed my skin without burning, offering heat without the bite of flame. I sat back on my heels, basking in her, taking in her shifted appearance. Her emerald eyes captured my attention. No matter her size, they remained identical in hue.