The Fire We Feed

The forest felt alive with shadows—each one twisting unnaturally in the dim moonlight. Branches clawed at them like skeletal hands, and the air was heavy with the pungent stench of damp earth and decay. Every nerve in Taryn's body was screaming at her to retreat, but she could feel the creature's presence closing in—the low growls reverberating through the ground and vibrating in her chest like distant thunder.

Her breaths came fast, shallow. "Stay close," Lucien's voice cut through the night, low and tense, his fingers tightening around the chain that bound them wrist-to-wrist.

"I get it," Taryn shot back, her voice sharp and tight. The sound of him giving orders made something reckless spark inside her, like she needed to prove—desperately—that she didn't need him watching her back. Her jaw clenched. She wasn't going to be slowed down by him. Not now.

The forest shifted again, the underbrush rustling unnaturally. A deep, rumbling growl rippled through the silence, vibrating through the marrow of her bones. Her heart pounded.

A flash of glowing red eyes, lurking in the shadows just ahead. Without thinking, Taryn surged forward, yanking on the chain. Her dagger gleamed in the pale light as she raised it high, her muscles tensing, adrenaline pouring through her veins like fire. She would kill this thing before it got any closer.

"Taryn, wait!" Lucien's voice snapped like a whip, but it was too late—she was already charging.

The beast exploded from the shadows with terrifying speed, its enormous bulk casting the moon in shadow as it lunged toward her—fangs bared, claws extended, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Taryn ducked low, narrowly avoiding the creature's jaws, the cold rush of wind from its massive form blowing back her hair. She spun, the blade in her hand flashing as she aimed for the beast's exposed belly—

But then its tail whipped out like a battering ram.

It slammed into her ribs with bone-cracking force, the world tilting violently as the impact sent her flying sideways. Her back hit the ground with a brutal thud, her arm ripping against the chain -and person- that pulled against her. She gasped, trying to suck in air, but the pain in her chest wouldn't let her breathe. Black spots danced in her vision.

She struggled to sit up, every movement a battle, and then she saw it—those glowing eyes, closing in fast. The monster snarled, its maw wide, claws gleaming under the faint moonlight. It was on her in a heartbeat.

Her dagger had fallen from her hand, just out of reach. She fumbled for it, her fingers brushing the hilt, but the creature was too fast, its growl vibrating the earth beneath her.

And then there was a flash of silver.

Lucien.

He yanked on the chain, pulling her violently backward, dragging her away from the creature's path with a painful jerk. She barely had time to process it before he was in front of her, his tall frame a shield between her and the beast.

The monster growled—a sound like thunder rolling through the trees. Its claws lashed out, tearing into Lucien's arm. He snarled, his fangs bared in return, and with a furious sweep of his sword, he slashed the beast across its flank.

The creature let out a blood-curdling screech and staggered back, but the effort cost Lucien. The chain between them jerked painfully as his body twisted, the magic binding them snapping taut. In that split second, he was vulnerable.

The monster struck again.

Its claws raked across his ribs, slicing deep, blood blooming across his shirt in an instant. Lucien staggered, a low groan escaping his lips, his knees buckling under the force of the blow. He stumbled, his body slumping toward the ground.

"No!" Taryn shouted, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she scrambled to her feet, ignoring the searing pain in her side. She reached for him, yanking him backward just as the monster lunged again, jaws snapping shut on the space where his head had been moments before.

Her heart was thundering in her chest, her body screaming with exertion and fear, but she pulled Lucien with every ounce of strength she had. The monster snarled, its massive form shifting as it prepared to charge once more, but Taryn wasn't about to let it finish the job.

"Move!" she shouted at Lucien, her voice cracking with desperation as she gripped his arm, trying to drag him forward. He staggered to his feet, his breath labored and shallow, blood seeping through the wound in his chest, but he moved.

The forest seemed to close in around them, branches ripping at their clothes and skin as they stumbled through the darkness. The creature's snarls echoed too close behind them, every guttural growl vibrating through the air, chasing them relentlessly. It was gaining on them—fast.

"Lucien, come on!" Taryn yelled, pulling harder on the chain that bound them together, her muscles screaming from the effort.

"I'm—trying," he gasped, his voice barely more than a rasp. Blood stained his shirt, a dark patch spreading quickly over his ribs. Each step was slower than the last, and Taryn could feel him faltering beside her, his strength fading.

The ground beneath them sloped dangerously, slick with mud and leaves. Taryn could feel the creature closing in, its snarls louder, vibrating through the air with terrifying intensity. She pulled Lucien harder, trying to force him to move faster. They were running out of time.

"Damn it!" she cursed under her breath, her eyes scanning the forest for some kind of cover—anything that would buy them time.

Then, without warning, Lucien's boot slipped on a patch of wet leaves, his body slamming into hers. The weight of him knocked her off balance, and she stumbled, her foot catching on a root.

The ground tilted violently beneath them.

"Lucien!" she shouted, but the words barely left her lips before they were falling.

The world spun in a chaotic blur—rocks, dirt, and shadows tumbling past as gravity yanked them down the sheer drop. Taryn twisted midair, instinctively reaching for Lucien, but the chain snapped taut between them, jerking painfully on their wrists.

They hit the slope hard, bodies slamming into jagged rocks and exposed roots as they rolled uncontrollably. Pain exploded through Taryn's shoulder as she crashed against an outcropping. Her skin scraped raw against stones, sharp edges tearing through her clothes.

Lucien's weight dragged her farther down, both of them tumbling like broken dolls, the chain between them rattling violently with every jolt. Taryn heard a strangled cry exit her lips, but the wind was ripped from her lungs as they slammed into the ground below, the impact rattling her bones, her head slamming against the dirt. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.

They were still for a moment, the forest spinning around them in a dizzy blur. Taryn lay sprawled on her side, gasping for breath, pain pulsing from every inch of her scraped and battered body. Blood oozed from shallow cuts on her arms and legs, and her shoulder and ribs throbbed fiercely where they had slammed into the rocks.

Beside her, Lucien groaned, shifting slightly, his breath ragged. His shirt was soaked with blood, the wound across his ribs still bleeding heavily. His eyes flickered open, dull silver and unfocused.

Taryn groaned, dazed. She blinked at the night sky above—her vision swimming—and realized they had rolled down a steep ravine, far from where they'd been pursued.

She tried to move, but every muscle screamed in protest. Scrapes covered her arms and legs, her shoulder throbbed painfully, and the chain between them rattled ominously as she shifted.

"Lucien," Taryn whispered, dragging herself closer to him. Her hands trembled as she pressed them to his side, where blood seeped freely through the torn fabric of his shirt. "Lucien, wake up."

He stirred slightly, his silver eyes flickering open, hazy with pain. "Still… here," he muttered, his voice hoarse.

Taryn exhaled, relief flooding through her. But it was short-lived. The beast's distant snarls echoed above them, growing fainter but still too close for comfort. They hadn't lost it. They were injured, battered—and still bound together by the cursed chain. They had only bought themselves a little time. 

"Come on," Taryn whispered, forcing herself to her knees. Every inch of her body screamed in protest, but she ignored the pain. "We need to move."

Lucien let out a weak laugh, more a pained wheeze. "You're relentless, you know that?"

"And you're heavy," Taryn shot back, looping his arm over her shoulders and gritting her teeth. The chain between them clinked as she hauled him upright.

Lucien stumbled, leaning heavily into her, his weight almost dragging her down. "I'll take… that as a compliment."

"Don't," she muttered, the ache in her muscles threatening to buckle her knees. But she kept moving, each step a small victory.

The forest thinned ahead, and through the tangled branches, she spotted a slanted roof—an old cabin, half hidden by the night. Relief surged through her, giving her the strength to press on.

"There." She nodded toward the cabin, dragging Lucienr along. "We're almost there."

"Lead the way, warrior," Lucien murmured, though his voice was barely a whisper.

The chain between them rattled with every step as they staggered toward the cabin. Taryn's limbs screamed with every movement, but she kept going, her mind fixed on the shelter ahead.

They reached the door just as Lucien's knees gave out, and Taryn grunted under his weight, shoving the door open with her shoulder. The hinges creaked, but the door held, and she pulled them both inside.

The air inside the cabin was stale, the scent of wood rot and dust thick in the darkness. Taryn barely managed to drag Lucien to the narrow bed in the corner, her muscles trembling with exhaustion.

"There," she breathed, easing him down onto the mattress. "Made it."

Lucien let out a low groan, his eyes fluttering closed. His breathing was shallow and unsteady, each breath a struggle.

Taryn knelt beside the bed, her own breath ragged, every scrape and bruise on her body throbbing. She knew they were safe—at least for the moment—but that comfort was short-lived.