I throw my arms out, bracing myself for impact, and then smash into the ground. There’s a blur of darkness and boughs that slap at my face as I roll down, down, down. I finally stop, then scramble up to look for the others, ignoring the pain searing through my chest. Torrent and Lin are nowhere in sight. A few yards away, the carriage is upside down. The horses are no longer hitched and have fled. I run to the gig and shout through the broken door.

“Lorna! Idalia! Are you okay?”

A hand reaches out and grabs my boot. “Braze,” Lorna coughs. “I’m stuck.”

“Lady and Shield—hold on! I’ll get you out of there. I promise I’m coming back!” I drop to the ground and search through the tall grass for my bow. There’s little moonlight to aid me. My palms pat every inch around me until finally, I feel a handle and raise Torrent’s sword.

“Good enough,” I breathe and launch myself up the hill. I call out but don’t see or hear them. Finally, I reach the road. My breath ceases momentarily when I see what stands there, as if waiting for me. The dire wolf. The same one we faced back in Idizina. One of its eyes is sealed shut.

It lowers its head and snarls. My breath clouds around me. The horrific animal rears back on its haunches, ready to leap. Its vengeance will likely not be quenched until every part of me is torn to shreds.

“Come on, then!” I shout, waving Torr’s blade around me. “You big bastard! Come on! Kill me!” I swear I see its lip curl into a smile. Then it whips its head to focus on something behind me.

I spare a glance. Idalia crawls towards me, and even in the dim light, I see her hands are bloodied. “Sparrow,” I cry. “Go back!”

The wolf flicks its head toward me and lurches for Idalia. A bellow discharges from deep within me as I charge the beast. I’m ready to drive the sword deep into its ribs when it swings its snout toward me and snaps.

Idalia screams, and for a brief, blessed moment, all I feel is the biting air. The wolf draws back, its snout dripping blood. My blood. I glance down and see a growing, crimson stain cover my right shoulder. Pain unleashes itself, and I fall to my knees. I can’t move my arm. I’m not sure I still have an arm. My eyes lock on Idalia, who’s crying uncontrollably.

The beast turns to her again and opens its mouth to devour her.

At this moment, before our deaths, I reach out my hand. If we die here, die now, I will not have her pass alone.

I will die with her skin on mine.