Chapters 9: Rogue Shadows

"You are not running fast enough!"

Dax's voice rang crisp with haste over the woodland. Over the steady beating of paws behind us and my own laboured breathing, I could hardly hear him. Whatever was following us was quicker and darker than simply a rogue.

"I'm trying!," says I pushed myself further, yelling back and evading a low-hanging tree. My wolf roared in irritation, demanding I change to flee the danger; my legs scorched.

Dax hissed, turning back to cover me without offering any apologies. You want to protect the child? Run like your life relies on it because it does.

His comments drove me forward even as my body protested like a whip. The scout was not far ahead; his stride faltered as terror poured from him. The brilliant paw prints we had seen before were a promise rather than just a warning.

Closer now, a growl burst behind us as my heart banged into my ribs.

"Keep moving!" Dax yelled, whirling on his heel to meet the danger.

My wolf biting at me to remain and battle, I slid to halt. "I'm not going to leave you!"

"Zaia, move!," he yelled, his amber eyes flickering as he changed mid-step.

Faster than anything I had ever seen, a shadow slid over the woods. Not a rogue, at least not a typical one. Its fur tangled with something slimy and black; its eyes gleamed an odd green.

I paused, caught between running and remaining, but Dax gave no option. His claws cutting through the air, he pounced at the thing. His blow drove them both tumbling into the underbrush.

"Zaia, now!," he yelled, his voice harsh with effort.

I turned reluctantly, each step ripping at my soul.

Shadows dancing at the margins of my view gave the woodland life. The scout came up to me; his face was pallid and sweating-drenched.

Panted, his voice quivering, "What the hell is that thing?"

My chest thumping, I said, "I don't know." But we are unable to quit. Not now.

The air became cooler, and I felt a prickling feeling at the rear of my neck. My wolf snarled, uncomfortable, and I slowed automatically.

"Zaia, what are you doing?" the scout growled.

"Something's wrong," I remarked, looking over the woods. The shadows seemed to move, creating forms not supposed to be there. My feet resisted my instincts screaming at me to go.

From the darkness, a low growl rumbled, and I turned just in time to see another monster walk into the weak illumination. Its body twisted and distorted like a rogue corrupted by something much worse, its eyes flashed green.

The thing shot before I could react. My wolf pushed forward, snapping over the boundaries I had held her behind, and I changed mid-d Dodge. I continued even though claws slashed over my shoulder; the pain was acute and scorching.

The scout also changed, his wolf little but rapid. We rounded the thing together, attempting to stop its movements.

It was much too quick. Every time I felt I had an opportunity, its brilliant eyes focused on me with an inhuman intelligence twisted out of reach.

The scout yelled, "Zaia, behind you," and I twisted around in time to see another thing come out from the shadows.

Though I let my wolf lead me, panic erupted and I fought it down. We battled with all we had, every bite and scratch attack motivated only by pure will. Still, the species were expanding and they never tired.

The trees erupted in a wild growl, and I turned to see Dax barrelling into the clearing, his huge wolf form coated in blood and mud. Furious, his eyes blazed as he ripped at the closest life force, his motions quick and forceful.

Growled, his voice harsh even in his wolf shape, "Get back!"

As we battled side by side, the scout falling into step with us, relief and adrenaline shot through me. We drove the beasts back together; their twisted shapes melted into ash as they dropped.

Except for our strained breathing, the jungle was quiet until the last one slumped.

I turned back and fixed my damaged shoulder on the ground's scattered ashes. What the devil were those things?

Dax changed too, his visage black with rage. "Not rogue." Something more terrible. Something artificial.

The voice of the scout trembled throughout his remarks. "I have heard tales of black magic corrupting wolves. They are intended to be legends.

Clearly, Dax said, staring over the woods. "And wherever sent them isn't done with us yet."

I ground myself, pain and tiredness catching up with me. Dax knelt next to me, looking at my cut with his fingers stroking my arm.

"You're lucky it wasn't deeper," he murmured angrily, but his touch was shockingly soft.

"Lucky isn't how I would characterise tonight," I said, groaning as he tightened the bandage.

His amber eyes softened somewhat, and for a minute the sharp lines of his manner seemed to blur. "You fought well," he whispered.

The words startled me; warmth sprang in my breast among the turmoil all around us. "Thanks," I said gently.

Standing some feet apart, the scout cleared his throat. We have to keep on going. Should such creatures find us once again...

Dax stood, his face becoming hard. He is correct. We cannot continue to live here.

A low, repetitive buzz appeared to pulse through the air as we were ready to depart. It was something considerably different than a growl or a roar.

Dax stopped, his head whirling towards the noise. His voice tight, he added, "That's not normal."

The hum became louder and the shadows surrounding started to move once again. They did not make animals this time. Rather, they came together in the form I too well knew.

From the shadows Sebastian's face appeared, his eyes shining with the same weird green light as the beasts.

"Zaia...," his voice sounded hollow and twisted. You cannot get away from this.