The Shattering Unbound by Colbie Clarke

Author:Colbie Clarke [Clarke, Colbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BytesPress
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Fiona

My eyes are fixed on the horizon, a distant lightning storm the only blip in an otherwise clear, star-studded sky. The raw energy in the air feels alive like it’s singing in my veins, resonating with the unease thrumming beneath my skin. The scent of fresh dirt and the faint trace of dew-soaked leaves fills my nostrils, a bitter-sweet reminder of a world that once was. I watch and wait.

“Why are we standing here?” Crystal’s impatient, whiney voice cuts through the stillness, her tone sharp enough to draw blood. She’s always been restless, never one to enjoy the waiting game. Her need to be in control, to know everything, can be grating at times. She’s got potential; she’s a powerful healer and her magic is impressive. But she needs to learn patience and restraint.

“We’re watching,” I reply tersely, keeping my voice steady despite the tension coiling inside me. “For anything unusual.”

“Unusual how though?” Crystal persists.

Before I can snap at her again, my mom steps in with her usual grace and tact. “We received word that a powerful ally could be coming into the area,” she explains softly, her focus not leaving the distant storm. “Keep your eyes open for any sign that a battle or a flare is going up.”

The truth is far more complex. We’re waiting for a miracle—a portal that may never appear.

“We’re too exposed here. Let’s keep moving.” I order. The chill of the night air bites at my skin as we move through the dense underbrush, the darkness swallowing the sounds of our cautious steps. I can almost feel the heavy thump of my heart against my ribs, a relentless drumbeat urging us forward. Crystal is close behind, her impatience a tangible force nipping at my heels. I wish she’d just keep quiet and focus. We’re on the razor’s edge, and one false move could send us tumbling over.

We’ve been dodging these wolf shifters for what feels like hours, their howls a constant reminder that they’re not far away. They’re cunning hunters, relentless in their pursuit, but we have an advantage—our knowledge of these lands, the memory of every tree root and river bend etched into our minds. And the magic we use to confuse their senses and keep us hidden. We use this to our advantage, weaving through the devastated forest like ghosts, leaving barely a trace.

The shifters are close now, too close. I hear the rustling of leaves, and the snapping of twigs. My squad follows my lead as I gesture for them to press on, to move faster without making a sound. It’s a dance we’ve rehearsed a thousand times, a silent symphony of survival. We duck behind a burned but still standing thicket, our breaths held, our bodies still as statues. Adriana extends a slight mist of darkness to envelop our hiding place.

Moments stretch into eternity as the shifters pass us by, their senses deceived by our magic. We breathe a collective sigh of relief, but there is no time to dwell on the close call.

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