Dawn From Embers by Megan Linski

Author:Megan Linski [Linski, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gryfyn Publishing

The stars are glimmering overhead when we finally exit the barn. Ranveer has fallen asleep, and Ameera had to be carried up to her room by Tamarik after she dozed off on one of the bales. He came back, though I did not know why. For some reason, Tamarik refused to leave my side until I was ready for bed as well.

“Do you think he’ll be all right?” I ask worryingly as we shut the barn doors, giving one last peek at a sleeping Ranveer.

“He will be. Ameera gave him her peace,” Tamarik replies. “He’ll grow stronger than ever before.”

There is a full moon out. It is bright enough that I can see Tamarik’s face, even in the darkness.

“Tanvi, I just wanted to say again that I really admire you for standing up for your elephant, even though there were consequences,” Tamarik says. “And I think that you should know…”

He drifts off.

“Yes?” I persist.

Tamarik doesn’t say another word. Instead, he leans forward. I freeze. I can see every flaw and perfect imperfection as his face comes close to mine. Our lips are nearly touching—

Something breaks us apart. A woman’s shrill screaming, coming from the kitchens. Tamarik reels back from me with a start, and a fresh gust of disappointment washes over me.

I pay close attention to the screams. They’re accompanied by sounds of low growls. Some sort of creature is loose in the palace. I pale. Ranveer and the horses are safe, locked away in the stables, but there are many people inside the palace, including Ameera. Could it be a monster?

“You must go.” Tamarik grabs my shoulders and spins me around. “Hurry back to the servant’s quarters. Don’t linger here.”

“Where are you going?” I ask as Tamarik runs in the other direction.

Tamarik doesn’t answer. He hurries off toward the kitchens, to confront whatever’s lurking about.

I gulp. The servant’s quarters aren’t far, but I’m not worried about myself. I have to make sure Ameera will be safe.

I continue into the palace halls. They’re dark and quiet. The screams have died down, but the lack of noise only makes me more anxious. It means no one has managed to find whatever’s lurking about.

Then I hear growls near the steps up to the royal chambers. I swing around. The noise is coming from a monster right in front of me.

It’s a jackal— a large one, bigger than any I’ve ever seen— nearly the size of a small horse. It’s got brown, mottled fur, and teeth that could easily crunch bones into dust. The canine’s lip is raised as it stalks the palace, close to the ground.

It’s going up the steps and heading for Ameera’s room. I can’t let it get up there. I open my mouth, planning to utter a story that’ll stop the jackal’s heart.

“Tanvi, wait!” I hear Tamarik shout somewhere nearby. How did he get up here so quickly? Did he follow?

The jackal is alerted by the sound. His head whips around, and his killer gaze focuses on me. He starts running at me, teeth bared.

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