Page 116 of The Tracker's Revenge

A metallic tang overwhelmed me as Mekare’s blood flooded my mouth. Judging by the powerful spray, it seemed I’d pierced a vital artery. Viciously, I shook my head, my sharp fangs tearing skin and sinew at the same time that my tracker magic emptied into her.

My eyes rolled into the back of my head, and my legs trembled under me.

C’mon, Red. Just a little bit longer, and you’ll kill her.

But I was too weak, and my sensory attack was diminishing.

Vaguely, I sensed as Mekare recovered her self-control and cast a spell. That same cloud of smoke I had chased moments ago materialized before me. My jaw went slack around the witch’s insubstantial form.

With nothing else to hold onto, I collapsed to the ground, legs twitching, my vision and life fading away. As I lay there, feeling utterly spent, I watched as the wisp of smoke haltingly slithered away. It hadn’t needed to move with that much care before.

I almost had you, bitch!

Though I was at the edge of death, I imagined I could still catch her and make sure she never drew another breath, but it was only a hazy thought inside my dwindling mind.

As my life slipped away, I peered at Damien.

I’m sorry. I should’ve known. I’m sorry.

Chapter 38

“Hang on, Toni,” a hoarsevoice registered at the edge of my consciousness. “Don’t... don’t let go.”

It took a monumental effort to raise one eyelid and look at the blurry figure that lay next to me, one of his trembling hands reaching for my paw.

Damien was crawling in my direction one painfully excruciating inch at a time. My eyes drifted closed.

“T-toni,” he rasped.

I blinked and caught a glimpse of his finger brushing mine. A barely perceivable pang of magic crawled up my leg, and for an instant, I thought he might have enough energy to save me, to save himself, but he didn’t. He’d tried, but he spent what little he had left then fell on his face with a final exhale. An instant later, I also drew my final breath.

* * *

ISAT UP WITH A JOLT.

Mom was at my side in an instant, gathering my hands in hers. “Toni!”