Chapter 4
The wind at the edge of the Forbidden Zone sliced across my face, thick with the stench of blood.
I scrambled over jagged rocks with a collection basket strapped to my back. It was almost bigger than I was.
Isabella trailed behind at a safe distance, flanked by several elite wolf guards.
Protection, they called it. In reality, they were there to watch me die.
Isabella shouted, "Move it, cripple.
"If you don't have a hundred moonstones by sundown, you can stay out here and feed the beasts."
Isabella stood atop a large boulder, arms crossed, shouting her taunts.
I ignored her and kept my head down, searching for the faintly glowing white stones tucked into the crevices.
The wounds on my hands had split open again. Every movement sent sharp pain shooting through my fingers.
Something moved without warning.
A low growl came from the bushes ahead.
A massive demon wolf exploded from the undergrowth, its body armored in black scales. Its crimson eyes locked onto me.
"A black-scaled demon wolf!" The guards behind me shouted in alarm, drawing weapons and falling into defensive stances.
But the beast didn't spare them a glance. From the start, its target had been me, the weakest prey.
It launched itself at me.
My legs buckled. There was no time to dodge. I squeezed my eyes shut.
In that split second, a figure clad in black and gold materialized before me with his blade flashing and delivered a savage kick that sent the demon wolf hurtling backward.
It was Arcas.
He came.
He actually came to save me.
He stood in front of me, gripping a frost-edged sword, his broad back shielding me. For one fleeting moment, I felt safe.
But the relief barely had time to take hold.
"Arcas, help me!" Isabella's piercing scream split the air.
I whipped around. A second demon wolf, even larger, had circled behind her, jaws gaping wide, lunging for her throat.
Arcas's expression changed in an instant.
He didn't hesitate.
He did not even glance back at me.
He spun and sprinted toward Isabella at full speed.
He left me, unarmed and wolfless, alone before the snarling beast.
"Your Majesty!" The cry tore from my throat.
The demon wolf recovered, snarling, and lunged again. A massive clawed paw slammed into my chest.
Something cracked sickeningly.
I heard my own breastbone crack.
I was swatted away like a ragdoll, sent crashing toward the cliff's edge.
A wet splutter escaped me.
A mouthful of blood sprayed from my lips, staining the rock beneath me crimson.
Half my body hung over the void. I used every last ounce of strength to cling to a jutting rock at the edge.
Below was nothing but howling wind and a bottomless drop.
"Arcas," I turned my head with agonizing effort, spending the last of my strength to look toward him.
Arcas had already slain the second demon wolf and was holding a pale, trembling Isabella tight in his arms, murmuring reassurances.
"Isabella, it's okay. You're safe now." His voice was thick with relief and concern.
"I'm fine. I was so scared, Arcas..." Isabella clung to him, but over his shoulder, her eyes found mine, gleaming with provocation and triumph.
My fingers scraped bloody trails across the rough stone. My strength was draining fast.
"Help, help me..." I spent the last of my breath on that feeble cry.
Arcas heard it.
He turned and finally saw me dangling from the cliff's edge, one heartbeat from death.
His pupils contracted. He took a step toward me.
That single step reignited a spark of hope.
But my hope did not last.
"Ah! It hurts." Isabella cried out, grabbing his sleeve and collapsing against him.
"Arcas, my ankle. I think I twisted it dodging that thing. It hurts so much..." She added.
Arcas stopped dead.
He looked down at Isabella writhing in pain in his arms.
Then he looked up at me, dangling at the cliff's edge.
And he made his choice.
He pulled Isabella closer and called out to me, "Hold on. I'll send the guards to get you."
He was only sending the guards.
I almost laughed at the absurdity.
My heart shattered.
So Isabella's twisted ankle mattered more to him than my life.
I wasn't even worth him reaching down himself.
The rock finally gave way beneath my weight with a sharp crack, crumbling apart.
My body plummeted.
Wind roared in my ears. Above me, the silhouettes of that perfect pair grew smaller and smaller.
In the last second before darkness swallowed me, the blood that had lain dormant inside me for eighteen years began to boil.
A force laced with destruction erupted from the depths of my soul.
The mental link he had severed was ripped back open by that surge of power.
I looked up at the shrinking figure on the clifftop, and a cold, bitter smile twisted my lips.
I fixed my thoughts on Arcas.
He had abandoned me.
I would drag him to hell with me.