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The monster didn't respond, dark gaze fixed on us as its slow gait turned into a run …

I moved up beside Tye, and the creature's black eyes followed me.

That's not good.

Then it was racing towards us, mouth agape, teeth glinting, and my mind desperately pleaded with me to flee.

But I couldn't just leave Della and Rowan to thatthing.

Something about the way it was fixated on me sparked an idea …

I took a step back. Then another one.

Its gaze followed.

"I'm going to lead it away," I said, voice surprisingly steady. "You two get them out of here."

"No!" Tye and Liam yelled in unison.

But it was too late. I was already dashing back into the forest.

I raced towards the tree line, heart racing, body thrumming with fear.

Gods, let this work …

Branches crashed behind me, and the creature let out another of those spine-tingling howls as we both hit the dense forest.

It was working! They would have time to save Della and Rowan!

I pushed myself to run faster. Faster. FASTER …

Maybe this would work!

But when I glanced back, a dozen thick black tentacles were extending out from the creature's body — reaching for me much faster than I could run.

Fuck!!

Chapter 28

Kaiya

The wave of tentacles crashed over me, knocking me to the ground. Inside, I felt a mass of invisible ribbons wrapping around my korra. As they writhed and twisted around me, my mind grew heavy and sluggish, and my body weak.

It was coaxing the life right out of my body.

I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came. Instead, I laid still atop the cool ground, helpless as the monster consumed my korra.

Honestly, I'd thought death would be more painful. Especially after all the injuries I'd survived. But this was something else — it almost felt freeing …

The cool tendrils wove themselves deeper and deeper into me, twisting ever closer to my korra's center and the bonds I protected there — deep within my heart.

Thump.Eli, smiling at me before my life had been turned upside down.

Thump. Tye and Lynk —no, not those assholes.

Thump.Rien, who was trapped because of me.

Thump.The image of Jaiel filled my mind, along with the pain of not knowing where he was or how he was doing.