04 King Breaker by Rowena Cory Daniells

Author:Rowena Cory Daniells
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

BYREN HAD BEEN about to enter camp when he heard Florin’s cry. A gut-deep fear tore at him and he heard an ulfr’s haunting howl.

His first instinct was to go to Florin, but he made himself retreat along the path and climb up the far side of the overhang. There he stretched out on the rock and edged forward on his belly until he could look down into the gully.

Eleven Merofynians had captured Orrade and Florin. Fear for them chilled him and the ulfr howled, others joined him, howling in sympathy.

Enraged by his impotence, Byren watched as one of the men bound Orrade and Florin, then groped his mountain girl. Byren wanted to tear his throat out. The urge was so powerful he clenched his teeth until his jaw ached.

One of the Merofynians reached over and hauled the man away from Florin. Just as well. Byren was having trouble thinking clearly.

Something nudged Byren’s left thigh and he glanced over his shoulder to find the ulfr pack leader creeping forward, belly pressed to the stone.

As the ulfr joined him, Byren swung his arm over the beast’s neck. He could feel power radiating from the ulfr’s body. Grateful for the beast’s support, he buried his head in the ulfr’s neck. Felt the power of the creature and the welcome of the pack.

‘Byren Kin-slayer, we know yer out there!’ the Merofynian leader yelled. ‘Give yerself up before we cut yer molly-boy’s throat.’

‘Don’t do it,’ Orrade cried. ‘Leave—’

One of them hit him and his head rocked back, slamming into Florin so that she swayed.

A roaring filled Byren’s ears and he sprang to his feet with the ulfr at his side. From this vantage point, he saw dark shadows slinking into position in the trees. The Merofynians were surrounded. Byren could see the ulfrs’ eyes gleaming from the shadows.

The man who’d pinched Florin’s breast pointed and cursed. He panicked and tried to sprint towards the safety of the fire, but his feet seemed trapped. He lurched, falling to his hands and knees. Before his companions could haul him upright, an ulfr dashed into the gully, tore out his throat, then retreated into the trees.

For a heartbeat, the Merofynians stood stunned; then they swore and shouted, waving their weapons at the gleaming eyes watching them from the shadows under the trees.

The Merofynians’ leader spotted Byren and pointed. He shouted something, but Byren couldn’t hear clearly. Everything seemed too loud, yet strangely distorted.

As soon as the rest of the Merofynians saw Byren, they tried to run. Some lurched forward and fell to their hands and knees, others managed only one step then collapsed. Ulfrs attacked the instant their prey were vulnerable. The beasts dashed into the gully, tore out throats, then retreated before the men could respond. Soon the rich scent of blood filled the air as it soaked into the greedy earth.

The pack leader howled in exultation and Byren shared the beast’s savage joy.

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