Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 105164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
The enormous cats pounced on them from the trees, long curved claws slicing through the air. Cries of rage and pain filled the air. They darted in and out of view so quickly, attacking and retreating into the thick foliage and undergrowth that filled the Ordas.
A cat flew at Rayne and he managed to stab it through the chest before tossing it aside. Muscles trembled and strained under the weight. Sweat trickled down the side of his face and along his spine, causing his shirt to stick to his back.
“How many are there?” Eno demanded, taking another step closer to Rayne and Gilea. His massive broadsword flashed as he swung it, catching the sunlight.
“Too many!” Drayce called. He’d moved behind Caelan, protecting the king with a machete. His guns were tucked away to conserve what little ammunition he had left. There was no telling when he’d be able to lay his hands on more, and since they’d begun their trek through the Ordas, Drayce had preferred to fight in his dragon form.
There was a low, feral growl behind him. Rayne had started to look, expecting to see where one of the cats had sneaked up on them from behind when Gilea shot out from the protection of his body and up one of the trees. The girl’s long claws dug into the bark, allowing her to scale the trunk in a matter of seconds.
“Gilea!” he bellowed. He lurched forward to give chase, but another cat appeared in front of him, swiping its claws at his chest. He barely managed to block the attack and swipe the spear point at the feline.
“Leave her,” Eno barked.
“But she’s barely more than a child!”
“And this is her element. It’s where she grew up!” Eno countered.
Rayne clenched his teeth, holding in any further arguments. He knew Eno was right, but it didn’t stop him from worrying about her. How did they know she wasn’t more accustomed to hunting with others from her village? She needed to stay close, where they could protect her.
Except she seemed to be doing just fine on her own.
A dead cat tumbled from the tree Gilea had climbed, landing with a hard thump on the forest floor. He thought he saw a flash of her as she crossed the thick branches, moving to another tree. He wasn’t sure. More cats attacked, keeping his attention on the danger directly in front of him.
This unexpected shadow of Ordas jaguars retreated, regrouped, and attacked again and again. Rayne lost all track of time as they fought them. Every muscle in his body ached and trembled under the strain. As much as he longed to sit and rest, he couldn’t. Knuckles throbbed as he maintained a tight grip on his staff, waiting for the next attack.
But after a while, the forest grew still. The leaves stopped moving, no longer brushing long bodies that slinked through the undergrowth. The cries of the panthers died out completely.
“Are they gone?” Drayce asked.
“Gods, I hope so.” Caelan sighed. With a flick of his wrist, his sword disappeared and he wiped the sweat from his face with the back of his hand.
Drayce snickered. “Is it weird that you use yourself as a curse now?”
“What?”
Mimicking Caelan, Drayce slumped his shoulders and sighed loudly. “Gods!”
Rayne rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the trees where he’d last spotted Gilea. He shouted the girl’s name. There was an answering rustle in one of the trees, and the leaves parted to reveal the teen’s blood-splattered but smiling face.
“Rayne!” she called, waving at him.
“Come back here!” he admonished while motioning for her to rejoin their group.
“Aw, baby. You’ve gone all mother hen with Gilea,” Eno teased.
Rayne sniffed at his lover, sending the man a dark look that did nothing to dampen Eno’s good mood. “It doesn’t matter if she grew up in the Ordas or not. It’s still dangerous. Too dangerous for her to be running around alone.”
Besides, his last charge was now a god, and his companion had revealed himself to be a dragon. They certainly didn’t need Rayne worrying over them any longer. Of course, he would always worry about what was going to come out of Drayce’s mouth next. That would never change.
Gilea strolled along the tree branches easily, closing the distance between them. Rayne kept his eyes on her. She appeared not to be injured.
“It’s good she can take care of herself. She did follow us for several days,” Caelan pointed out.
Rayne nodded and continued to watch as she swiftly descended a tree to the ground. Once they were all together, Rayne figured they could continue for a bit, try to find a clearing where they could rest for a while before pushing on.
Just as Gilea was reaching his side, she let out a screech and dove at Eno, pushing him aside. At the same moment, a jaguar that had been hidden under the thick brush leaped forward, its large body colliding with Gilea. The young woman was tossed aside, a softer, pained cry falling from her lips.