Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
The stag’s eyes glow red, as if filled with molten iron, when it lowers its antlers. It catches up to Luke so fast I have no time to wonder about its majestic size, or the sparks of gold bouncing off its fur. All I can think of is Luke’s safety. Even killing the stag comes second.
Luke screams when he realizes the stag is right behind him, but I was ready for this. This beast cannot be restrained or attacked with shadowcraft, but I use my powers to push Luke out of the way. He falls into a bush, and the sharp antlers miss him. The stag narrowly avoids falling over head-first but still digs the lower tines of its magnificent crown into the ground. My muscles feel as though they might snap as I dash at top speed, faster than each time I came to my brother’s aid in the past, earning all the eels floating over my skin.
My heart leaps when the beast struggles to free itself, likely stuck on some root. I notice my Luke crawling away from the cloven hooves, and I know this is my chance. The shadow of my own feet pushes me up, and I jump toward the golden creature, prepared to bear the brunt of its scorn.
I drop the crossbow and reach for my silver dagger as my heart slows.
I’ve ridden many horses, kelpies, and once even a bull. But the way the stag bucks under me as soon as my boot slides off its side, holds fury only the heat of the blazing sun can bring. I straddle its back behind the neck as it rips its antlers out along with a tangled root. I grab the fur on its back, because I have barely seconds before the beast manages to kick me off, and I sink the blade into flesh.
The animal roars with pure wrath, but it’s already lost. Hot blood sprays my face as I stab my silver dagger into the stag’s neck, right next to where my bolt still protrudes.
Then again. And again.
The creature jerks its head, shakes its rear to throw me off, but as the woods fill with the scent of its death, it’s a losing battle. I scramble off when the massive stag loses balance, and I roll away when it collapses, soaking the ground with its blood.
The coppery droplets cool my face and hands as the world stops spinning. The stag’s struggling to breathe, its tongue lolling as it moves its legs, trying to get away. I consider ending the beast’s misery, but there is no need for it, since it stills before I can make up my mind.
A sense of peace settles over me, and I seek Luke, who peeks out from a spot by a bush, panting. Once he realizes the stag is no longer moving, he gets up and joins me.
“Are you okay?” He asks as I rise, trying to keep my legs from giving up under me. In the moment, when I delivered those brutal killing blows, I felt so very confident, but my body seems to be catching up onto the danger we both were in moments ago.
The beast’s fur is rapidly losing its golden sheen, as if Sunlight is seeping out of it, no longer powered by its heart, and I know we need to act fast.
“I’m all right. You?” I ask, kneeling next to the stag and going right in with my blade. I don’t have much experience with butchering animals, but none of this is about artistry, so I peel away the skin and cut into still-warm flesh, in a hurry to reach the heart before it loses its power. The creature’s dark blood shines in the moonlight when I hack through cartilage and meat. Once I get to hold the heart in my hand, it’s as exciting as my first kiss.
My heart flutters, my stomach feels light, and my cheeks flush.
The darkness inside the organ calls to me, whispering promises of unforeseen powers, which might just make me mightier than all my forebearers.
Luke stands next to me, watching it all with wide eyes. “The blood is almost like tar,” he says.
The golden Sunlight radiated by the stag was a protective shell for all the shadow powers hidden in its black heart, and the mystery it hides can be all mine.
The temptation is sweet as honey cakes, and it makes my mouth itch for a sip, but then my eyes settle on Luke, and I remember what I’ve been fighting for all along.
“It’s yours,” I say, even though my chest cramps in protest, as if my body can’t bear giving up on the promise of this hunt.
Luke stares between me and the heart. “Wh… what?”
The dark power pulses in my sticky hand, but I’ve already made my decision. I wasn’t lying when I promised Luke I would take care of him. I want him to have everything. “You said you wanted to be special. That you wish you had power like mine. This is the only way,” I say, offering him my hand.