The inner bandages were soaked through with blood, and she tore that part off, rewrapping the rest as best she could. It bothered her how passive Tristam was acting. He was more lethargic than he’d been even half an hour before, and he was shivering, even though he was clearly trying to hide it. She took his arm to thread it back into his tunic. His skin was hot to the touch and damp with sweat.

“Tristam.” She spoke slowly and clearly. “I’m going to take your bandages outside and away from here. Maybe the scent will lead the search somewhere else. We need that blind to escape.”

He shifted and looked at her. “You’re going to try to lead them away?”

“Aye, you stay here. I’ll come back.”

“It’s not worth the risk. Just try to get to Forge and send help.”

“You won’t last that long, not with all of them looking for you. Just stay put.”

She grabbed the bandage and crawled out before he could argue. At the top of the bank, she looked around again. Where could she go? After a moment’s hesitation, she picked a direction and ran. She jumped over roots and ducked under branches, thinking just to get away from the river.

After a while, brown fur flashed behind her and to the right. Someone had found her. She cut to the left and down a hill. The hard dirt pounded against her feet as she barreled down. A quick glance behind showed that her pursuer still trailed her, and if anything, was gaining.

Desperate, she dove into a cluster of bushes and scrambled through, only to stop at a glimpse of white fur through the trees ahead of her. She turned again, willing herself to run faster. She could hear the cats behind her now, their footsteps heavy as they abandoned silence for speed. There was a rustle of branches in front of her, and a third demon cat dropped straight in her path, blocking her way. Kyra skidded to a stop as the two others closed in from behind. For a few long moments, they stayed there, the three cats ready to block any move she made. Then, a familiar yellow cat ran in, looked around, and slowly changed shape.

Pashla hadn’t finished settling into her human form before she crossed over to Kyra and struck her across the face.

Thirty-eight

T H I R T Y - E I G H T

The blow knocked her to the ground. Kyra fought back a cry as her elbow skidded across the dirt.

“This is how you repay me.”

Kyra looked down, unable to meet Pashla’s eyes. It was true. Pashla had saved her life, fought for her, and taught her the ways of the clan. And Kyra had betrayed her.

Pashla dragged Kyra to her feet and spun her to face the other three demon cats. “Back to Leyus.”