Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(15)

The brunbjorn stood over me and roared, the sound vibrating through my body. I shoved myself forward, between the animal’s legs, so it couldn’t see me. Trying not to make a sound, I scrambled to stand behind it. It huffed and turned around, foam clinging to its mouth. Its eyes were two black coals that promised death. My hands pulsed, and a sharp, stinging sensation shot through me. I fell to my knees, crying out in pain. The animal circled me, observing its prey.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Anders noiselessly stalking up behind the brunbjorn. It raised its massive paw, its black nails longer than my foot. I leaned back as it viciously swung, narrowly missing my face.

Anders slid a long dagger from his sleeve, clutching the weapon in his hand as he moved to the side of the animal. When the brunbjorn swiped at me again, the assassin darted in and embedded the knife in the animal’s side.

It savagely roared in pain and staggered back. I crawled to the tree behind me, wanting something solid to cling to. The animal whipped its head in Anders’s direction. When it caught sight of him, it charged. Instead of running away, Anders stood his ground. The massive brunbjorn tackled him to the ground.

Anders grabbed the dagger sticking out of the animal and yanked it free. The brunbjorn stood above the assassin and swayed. Without hesitating, he thrust the knife into the animal’s stomach. It reared its head back, howling in agony. He grabbed the blade strapped to his thigh and with quick and lethal efficiency plunged it into the animal’s neck.

It wobbled and collapsed on top of Anders. The assassin shimmied his body out from under the brunbjorn and came to me.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, breathing heavily, fresh blood coating his clothes.

“No.” Besides a few scratches, I was unharmed.

He squatted next to me. “I hope you consider that an acceptable murder.”

“Yes,” I said. “That was definitely an appropriate time to kill.”

Standing, he pulled me up. “We need to leave before more brunbjorns come.”

I nodded and said, “Kaia.”

“What?”

“My name,” I replied. “It’s Kaia.”





Chapter Four


Dropping to my knees alongside the stream, I scooped the frigid water with my hands, drinking it. After traveling hard all day, I was desperate to quench my thirst.

“How much farther?” I asked between gulps.

“At the rate you walk, it’ll take us another day to get there.”

Ignoring Anders’s jab, I rubbed water on my forehead, attempting to clean my wound. “Are you related to Vidar?” I stood and dried my hands on my pants.

“No,” he replied, rinsing his bloody hands in the water. “Although he is my closest friend.”

It was hard to believe Anders had any friends at all. Stretching my stiff back, I asked, “Is Vidar your age?”

His eyes narrowed. “Why do you care?”

“Just curious to know something about the person you’re taking me to.” Was he a wise, elderly man? Or young and hotheaded like Anders?

“Let’s get moving.”

“It’s almost dark,” I pointed out, not wanting to run into another brunbjorn, especially at night. Every time the leaves rustled or a branch snapped, I tensed, anticipating another attack.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the dark, little girl,” Anders taunted.

It would feel so good to punch his jaw. “It’s not like you’re that much older than me. And no, I’m not scared of the dark. I’d just prefer not to be eaten by some predator I can’t see.”

He smiled sardonically before turning and walking away. “So if you can see the animal, you don’t mind being its supper?”

Rolling my eyes at his back, I hurried to catch up with him. “That’s not what I meant.” After walking in silence for several minutes, I hesitantly asked, “Can you tell me why my hands hurt?”

He stilled. “Do they hurt right now?” His voice was tight with concern.

“No,” I answered, almost running into him.

“When’s the last time they bothered you?”

“Right before the brunbjorn attacked.” I thought back to the incident. The pain had become intense during the encounter. However, I’d been so concerned with not being the animal’s next meal that there hadn’t been time to dwell on it.

The assassin continued walking, not saying another word.

“Are you ignoring me?” I kicked a small rock, sending it flying to a nearby tree.

Anders glanced over his shoulder, raising his eyebrows and pointedly looking from me to the tree before saying, “I just figured the answer was rather obvious and you’d be able to figure it out on your own.”

“I get that it has something to do with being a Kriger.” Bending, I plucked a rock small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.

Anders spun around and grabbed my arm. “If you throw that at me, I’ll gut you.”

I yanked away. “I just wanted something to hold on to.”

“Oh.” He turned and started walking again. “Well, don’t assault anymore trees either.” I rolled my eyes. “And don’t roll your eyes at me. It’s rude.”

“How did—”