Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(38)

A hand fumbled for my ankle, and I yelped. “Relax,” Vidar said, his voice close by. “Here’s a blanket.” He found my hand and pulled it toward the wool fabric.

“Thank you.” I took the rough material and situated myself on the blanket, wrapping it around my body.

***

We set out early the next morning, traveling along the edge of the unusually quiet forest. Thick fog coated the land, concealing entire trees and boulders.

Anders suddenly froze, and I almost bumped into him. He slowly unsheathed his dagger and resumed walking at a snail’s pace. I wanted to ask what spooked him, but knew not to speak if danger lurked.

After traveling another mile, the fog started to thin, allowing me to see about ten feet away. A twig snapped, and I jumped. Vidar chuckled from behind me. I glared at him, and he shook his head, amused. “If there was an issue,” he said, not even attempting to be quiet, “your hands would give us sufficient warning.”

I’d been so focused on my surroundings that I hadn’t noticed the gentle throbbing in my palms. “They’ve been hurting since we left the cave,” I admitted.

Anders spun around to face me. “Explain,” he demanded, his voice low and deadly.

“I thought it was from being so cold,” I whispered.

“We’re being followed.” His eyes darted all around us, searching for the threat.

“By what?” Vidar asked.

“I don’t know, but something is out there.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Kaia, if the pain increases, let me know.” I nodded. “For now, let’s keep moving.”

We continued, all of my senses on high alert. I mimicked everything Anders did as he slunk through the forest, trying to ensure each step was silent.

A deep growling reverberated through the air. Anders immediately took a step back toward me, Vidar doing the same so we were standing in a triangle, our backs touching while we searched for whatever animal prowled unseen in the fog.

Sharp shooting pains coursed through my hands, radiating up my arms and to my shoulders. I almost screamed but instead, bit my lip, drawing blood. The pain was so intense I fell to the ground. Grabbing moist dirt, I clutched the cool earth, trying in earnest to seek relief.

“Kaia,” Anders whispered, “no jerky movements. Understand?” His voice was soft, but there was a hint of panic to it.

I glanced up and saw his eyes focused on something in front of me. Following his line of sight, there were two bright blue eyes glowing in the fog, only fifteen feet away. The mist swirled, revealing a snow-white animal that looked like a large dog. It stalked forward, revealing a dozen more creatures behind it.

“Ulvs,” Vidar hissed.

I remained crouched on the ground. Without my weapon, I didn’t have access to my full power. Yet, there was still something in me. I slowly raised my hands, closed my eyes, and willed that force from my core down my arms and out through my fingers. A tingly sensation, as if a leg or an arm had fallen asleep, spread throughout my body.

Opening my eyes, the ulvs now stood ten feet away.

“My darts are loaded and ready,” Anders quietly mumbled. “I can easily take down eight. That leaves five more.”

“I have four throwing knives,” Vidar said. “I can probably kill three ulvs. That leaves two to contend with.”

“Kaia, stay behind us,” Anders said. “On my count.”

I slowly stood.

“What are you doing?” Anders demanded.

With my hands still out in front of me, I pulled on my power, once again forcing it down my arms and out through my fingers. Only, this time, I unleashed it. Fire rippled through my body, and I screamed. The ulvs turned and ran away as I collapsed on the ground, everything going black.

***

It felt as if my body floated on water, rhythmically rocking up and down.

“Are you sure she’s okay?” Anders’s voice rumbled through my right ear. He must be carrying me. I wanted to jump from his arms but couldn’t gather enough strength to even open my eyes.

“Kaia is fine,” Vidar answered, his voice a few feet away. “She just needs to rest.” He chuckled. “It was amazing to see her in action. The fact that she managed to use what little power she has without her weapon is astounding.”

“I still can’t believe the twelfth Kriger is a girl,” Anders muttered.

“Does it matter?”

He sighed. “Not really so long as she can stomach killing Morlet, especially since he’s communicating with her. You know how manipulating he can be. Will she be able to murder someone she knows?”

My cheek rubbed against his rough shirt.

“Of course she will,” Vidar said.

“I sincerely hope you’re right.” It felt as if he climbed up something. He stopped and gently set me on the ground. “There’s something different about her.” Their voices trailed off, and warmth embraced me.

***

Peeling my heavy eyelids open, I found myself lying on a large boulder, the sun high above me. Vidar sat near my feet.

“Hungry?” he asked.

My stomach growled. “Yes.” He handed me a water sack, and I gulped down the liquid until there was nothing left. Vidar gave me a loaf of bread along with some cooked meat. I greedily ate both.

“We need to get moving,” Anders said as he approached the boulder. “We’ve lost a lot of time.” He grabbed his bag off the ground, shouldered it, and started walking. Vidar and I slid off the rock and hurried after him.