Chapter 2 The chase

The forest erupted into chaos as the sound of snapping branches and approaching footsteps grew louder. Eira gripped Draven's hand tightly as he pulled her forward, his pace relentless. Jonah struggled to keep up, stumbling over roots and rocks as the three of them darted through the shadows.

"Who are the Veil Keepers sending after us?" Eira asked, her voice low but urgent.

Draven glanced over his shoulder, his golden eyes scanning the darkness. "Hunters. They're fast, lethal, and won't stop until we're dead. You'll need to keep up, hybrid."

Eira bristled at the nickname but said nothing. The forest around them seemed alive, the blood moon casting long, eerie shadows that danced like specters in the mist.

Jonah panted behind them. "I-I can't keep going like this!"

"We can't slow down," Draven snapped, his tone leaving no room for argument. "They'll catch us if we do."

Eira cursed under her breath and turned back to Jonah, grabbing his arm. "Come on, you're stronger than you think."

Jonah shot her a grateful look, but his eyes widened suddenly. "Eira, behind you!"

She spun just as a blur of movement hurtled toward her. A figure cloaked in black emerged from the shadows, wielding twin blades that gleamed in the moonlight.

A Veil Keeper.

Eira barely had time to react before the hunter struck. She ducked, the blade slicing through the air where her neck had been moments before. With a growl, she lashed out, her instincts taking over. Her dagger met the hunter's blade with a sharp clang, the force of the impact jarring her arm.

"Move!" Draven shouted, slamming into the hunter from the side. They tumbled to the ground, the hunter's hood falling back to reveal a pale, sharp-featured face.

Draven didn't hesitate. He shifted mid-motion, his body rippling into the massive black wolf Eira had seen earlier. His claws raked across the hunter's chest, but the Veil Keeper was fast. They twisted away, retaliating with a silver-tipped blade that caught Draven's side.

"Eira!" Jonah's panicked voice snapped her out of her daze.

Two more hunters emerged from the trees, their eyes glowing faintly in the dark. One carried a bow, the other a long staff etched with runes that shimmered ominously.

Eira tightened her grip on her dagger, her hybrid blood roaring in her veins. She didn't want to fight, but she didn't have a choice.

The archer raised their bow, an arrow already nocked and aimed at Jonah.

"No!" Eira moved without thinking. She threw her dagger with deadly precision, striking the archer's hand and sending the arrow flying off course. The hunter snarled in pain, but the distraction was enough for Jonah to scramble out of harm's way.

The second hunter advanced on her, spinning the rune-covered staff with expert precision. Eira's pulse quickened. She sidestepped the first strike, but the second caught her leg, sending a searing jolt of energy through her body.

She cried out, stumbling back. The hunter smirked, raising the staff for another blow, but before they could strike, Draven's massive form barreled into them. The hunter went flying, crashing into a tree with a sickening crack.

"Keep moving!" Draven growled, shifting back into his human form. Blood trickled from the wound on his side, but he didn't seem to notice. "There'll be more of them."

Eira nodded, grabbing Jonah's arm and pulling him to his feet. Together, they followed Draven deeper into the forest, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

The trees began to thin, revealing a rocky cliff overlooking a rushing river far below. Draven skidded to a stop at the edge, his eyes scanning the terrain.

"This way," he said, pointing to a narrow path that wound down the side of the cliff.

Eira hesitated, glancing back. She could hear the hunters closing in, their footsteps pounding through the forest.

"We're trapped," Jonah said, panic creeping into his voice.

"No, we're not," Draven said firmly. He turned to Eira, his expression hard. "Can you handle the descent?"

Eira's legs still throbbed from the hunter's strike, but she nodded. "I'll manage."

Draven grunted. "Good. Jonah, stay close to her. If you fall, I'm not coming back for you."

Jonah opened his mouth to protest, but Eira shot him a warning look.

They started down the path, the steep incline forcing them to move slowly. The roar of the river grew louder with each step, the sound almost drowning out the hunters' pursuit.

Almost.

"Don't look back," Draven ordered, his voice low.

Eira didn't need to. She could feel the hunters' presence like a weight pressing against her chest. She focused on her footing, her claws digging into the rocky surface for balance.

Suddenly, an arrow whizzed past her head, embedding itself in the rock wall inches from her face.

"Faster!" Draven barked.

They scrambled down the path, the hunters' attacks growing more desperate. Another arrow flew past, this one grazing Jonah's arm. He cried out, but Eira pulled him forward, her heart pounding.

They reached the bottom of the cliff just as the hunters appeared at the top. Draven led them toward the riverbank, his movements swift and purposeful.

"Into the water," he said, his tone brooking no argument.

"What?" Jonah stared at him, incredulous. "We'll drown!"

"You'll drown if you stay here," Draven snapped. "The current will hide our scent. It's the only way to lose them."

Eira didn't hesitate. She grabbed Jonah's hand and waded into the icy water, the chill cutting through her like a blade. Draven followed, his gaze fixed on the hunters above.

The current was stronger than she anticipated, pulling at her legs and threatening to sweep her away. She gritted her teeth, fighting to keep her footing.

"Stay close to me," Draven said, his voice steady despite the chaos.

They moved deeper into the river, the water rising to their waists. The hunters hesitated at the edge of the cliff, their frustration palpable.

One of them raised their bow, aiming at Eira.

Before the arrow could fly, Draven lunged, pulling her under the water. The icy darkness swallowed her, and for a moment, there was only silence.

When she resurfaced, gasping for air, the hunters were gone.

Draven pulled himself onto the far bank, his golden eyes scanning the forest. "We won't have long before they pick up our trail again."

Eira climbed out of the river, her clothes soaked and her body trembling. She turned to Draven, her voice shaking with anger and exhaustion.

"What the hell have you dragged us into?"

Draven met her gaze, unflinching. "The same thing you've been running from your entire life."