47
Jaxson
The ether whipped around us, as we stepped from Magic Side into the Dreamlands and certain peril. Would it be the last time any of us saw Dockside?
No matter how much that thought tore at me, I was with my mate. That was what mattered. And if there was no time left for us in this life, perhaps we could find happiness in the next, like Billy and my sister.
I looked around as I prowled forward, still holding Savy’s hand. A light mist drifted through the trees, and my skin felt damp and sticky. Auburn leaves littered the ground, and large, twisted oaks stood guard like silent sentries. By its scent, I could tell it was the same forest we’d visited earlier.
Two pillars of light rose toward the heavens in the distance—the two pylons we’d recharged before.
Only one left. Something told me that it wasn’t going to be as easy.
The place was eerily quiet, and the pounding of my heart sounded like an anvil.
I looked over my shoulder. The rift was still open behind us. I hoped that Laurel would do the right thing and close the opening if it came down to it, but I prayed to the gods that she wouldn’t have to. Savy and I had gone through hell and back, and I wanted her to myself for one moment when we weren’t fighting for our lives.
My mate clutched the moonstone Sam had given her, and I could sense the euphoria she felt holding it.
Savy pointed toward the woods where I could just make out a faint glow shimmering through the leaves. “The moonstone is pulling me that way. The orb has to be over there.”
I sniffed the air, noting at least a dozen scents. “We need to go quiet and fast. There’s no way that the Dark God has left the orb unguarded.”
One by one, we rushed through the trees, moving quickly but keeping our footfalls quiet.
Suddenly, a black blur rushed through the trees on our left, and we skidded to a halt.
“We’ve got company,” Sam hissed, as she reached for the riot gun Casey had given her.
I could smell them. The scent of musk and tobacco. Three powerful signatures, but none of them matched the Dark God’s magic.
“We know you’re there,” I growled. “Come out and play.”
Three massive black wolves erupted from the dense undergrowth. One was enormous, with silver-tinged fur. A thing of nightmares.
They were on us in seconds.
The giant silver-tinged wolf charged Savannah, and I threw myself between them. We collided and went tumbling. I rammed my claws into his chest, even as he clamped his jaw down on my forearm.
I drove my fist into his face over and over until the wolf’s grip slipped and he crashed into the ground, rolling once before he was on his feet again.
My arm ached where the bastard had managed to sink his fangs into me. Sam grunted as she rammed her foot into another.
Savannah blasted one of the wolves with her magic, but even as she did so, a fourth emerged on our flank.
Fuck.
I repositioned so that Savy and the other wolves were in my line of sight, then glanced behind us. I could see the orb and stone tower. We were so close, and the way was clear.
“Get to the orb now!” I shouted at Savy. “Sam and I will keep the wolves at bay!”
“I’m not leaving you!” she snarled, unleashing a blast of magic.