Page 27

Only a few creatures in the woods have that particular stench, and if my assumption is correct, I have no desire to be here when it arrives.

I open my mouth to warn the brute above me, but nothing comes out.

Panic surges through me as the sound of claws scraping against the cobblestone and heavy steps creep closer and closer.

The captain, bent on revenge, grins sardonically.

“The king will be disappointed by your death,” he continues, readying his sword. “But no need to trouble yourself with that detail. I’ll be rewarded as a hero for bringing him your corpse.” With that, he removes his foot from my neck, and air surges through my body.

“Any last wor?—”

His speech is cut short, as a large, hairless creature jumps over me and seizes him.

The captain flails, screaming as the creature drags him through the square.

He ignites his entire body in flames in an attempt to remove the jagged claws from his neck, but it doesn’t release him.

The roar that emits from the creature raises the hair on the back of my neck.

It’s deep, haunting, and the beast sounds angry.

It raises the captain by the throat before viciously slamming him into the cobblestone on the other side of the fountain.

I slowly sit up as I watch it gaze at the sniveling captain.

Then, with preternatural speed, it attacks.

The sound of claws and teeth ripping through the captain’s flesh is sickening.

Even from this side of the square, I can see the blood that sprays from his neck, and hear his shrieks echo throughout the place as a warning for all to stay away.

I close my eyes and cover my ears, but even that can’t drown the horrific sounds.

With one last sickening sound of ripped flesh, the captain falls silent.

The evil man is destroyed just like that, even if it wasn’t by my hand.

“Holy Celestae,” I say under my breath. The creature must’ve heard me because it swings its head in my direction. Soulless eyes bore into mine as the enormous monster skulks toward me from the other side of the square.

Maeva, you must run now, the voice demands.

I know I should, but I can’t.

I’m frozen in place, as if entranced by the creature’s deep-set, black eyes for the first time.

I thought the sheer size of this beast was terrifying, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

A mouth full of sharp fangs stretches across its angular face.

The width extends from the base of one ear to the other.

The creature’s ears are the longest and tallest that I’ve ever seen, with long points at the top.

Its skin is like bony flesh with long, gangly limbs.

Its skeletal torso is supported by its limbs, stalking on all fours.

There’s only one creature that I know of that could match this behemoth’s description…

I-It’s an Eitcham, I say, a slight quiver in my tone.

Yes , the voice replies .

I read about them in one of the Cales’ books. They were once the guardians of all that entered the woods, correct? I ask.

They still are, but the Drakhul’s curse changed them. They were once docile, but now they crave blood and flesh, she replies.

As the Eitcham draws closer, I see the captain’s blood dribbling from its maw—leaving a speckled trail of crimson in its wake. Its claws scrape against the cobblestone, and my jaw clenches at the irritating sound.

Whatever you do, stay still, the voice instructs. You cannot react or run because it’ll kill you on instinct.

You just told me to run moments ago, I retort.

Well, that was before you decided to sit there like a statue, which regained its attention, she huffs.

A growl rumbles through the Eitcham as it towers over me.

Even on all fours, it stands three-feet taller than me.

Its soulless eyes stare into mine, assessing me.

Though my body trembles at the proximity of the creature, I don’t move—not even when the creature leans down and sniffs me with two slits that I assume must be its nose.

With a huff, the creature backs away, and a small sigh of relief escapes me.

At least the Eitcham doesn’t plan to make me his dessert after the captain, I say.

Perhaps not yet, anyway, the voice grumbles.

Then, the Eitcham does something I’m not expecting.

It bows.

The creature prostrates itself fully across the cobblestones. I look around to see if perhaps another Eitcham has arrived, but there’s only us in the quickly darkening square. A growl, quieter than before, emits from the creature as its large eyes rise slowly to meet mine.

What in all Celestae?

Nod your head once, the voice instructs.

Though I find the request odd, I obey her instructions and nod at the Eitcham.

This satisfies the creature as it rises back to its full height. It returns my nod before disappearing into the misty streets.

What… was… that? I ask the voice.

A sign of fealty and respect, she says, a tinge of awe in her tone.

My brow furrows. To whom? I inquire.

To you, my dear. The Eitcham must have sensed you were in danger and came to your aid, she replies.

I rub my temple.

This doesn’t make any sense.

I’m not sure I understand. Why would it show me respect? I ask.

Because, the voice whispers, you’re worthy.