CHAPTER 6: The Hunter’s Game

Kyara's POV

The world came back in bursts. The first sound is that of a crackling fire. And then a smell of moist soil and burning wood. My body hurt as if it had been pulled apart and fused back together.

"Kyara, wake up."  

Eric's voice cut through the fog in my mind, rough and full of worry. I blinked against the dim light and saw him kneeling beside me. His shirt was ripped, a new cut ran down his jaw, and his eyes—those piercing, midnight eyes—were filled with barely contained rage.  

"What… what happened?" My voice sounded weak, barely a whisper.  

Eric leaned in, his presence grounding me. "You lost control."  

The memory flooded back—shadows writhing, power erupting from deep within me, and the strange woman with silver eyes who spoke of Silverbloods and destiny.  

"She's gone," Eric said, as if reading my thoughts.  

"Who?"  

"The woman. The person who appeared to enjoy speaking in riddles. His jaw tightened. “She vanished when you passed out. "Left no trace."  

I attempted to sit up, but my body resisted, every muscle screaming in defiance. Eric’s hand was suddenly on my shoulder, steadying me.  

"Easy," he replied, his tone softening. "You're not exactly in top shape."  

"I'm fine," I said, brushing aside his hand. But I wasn't. My head was beating, and my chest tightened as if the power that remained within me was clawing for release once more. 

Eric's eyes widened as his gaze turned critical. "You're a poor liar, you know that?" 

I glared at him. "And you're infuriating." 

His lips curved into a slight smirk. "Maybe. But I am also the only person keeping you alive right now." 

Before I could respond, a rumbling scream filled the air. Eric arose to his feet immediately, his body tensed and ready. 

"Stay behind me," he said, his tone crisp and forceful. 

"Eric, what is it?" I asked, but he didn't react. 

My blood rushed cold when I heard the roar again, this time considerably louder. A pair of brilliant amber eyes appeared from the darkness beyond the flickering firelight. 

"Hellhounds," Eric mumbled, his voice strained from fury. 

"Hellhounds?" I answered, my heart beating. "You must be kidding me."

"Stay back, Kyara," he whispered, moving forward. 

"Like hell," I exclaimed, forcing myself to my feet despite the agony coursing through me. "I'm not just going to sit here while you fight some demonic wolves."  

Eric turned, his eyes filled with rage. "You can hardly stand. Don't make this any harder than it already is."  

The hellhound stepped fully into the light, its massive body sleek and black like obsidian. Smoke curled from its nostrils, and its jagged teeth shone like shards of glass.  

Eric shifted, his movements fluid and deadly. "Fine," he grumbled. "If you're so determined to help, then don't die."  

Before I could react, the hellhound lunged.  

Eric faced it full-on, his body transforming in mid-leap. His wolf form was far larger than I imagined, with thick, black fur and eyes that sparkled a striking silver. The two met with a bone-jarring smash, filling the air with yells and the sound of claws scraping against skin. 

I fell backward, my heart began racing as I observed the terrible combat.

Eric was holding his own, but the hellhound was fast, with unnervingly precise movements.  

"Kyara!" Eric's voice rang through my head, sharp and demanding. "Move!"  

I barely had time to react before a second hellhound charged at me from the side. Panic rose, but so did something else: something raw and primal. The power within me moved, uncoiling like a snake.  

Instinct took control. I raised my hands, and a wave of shadow hit the hellhound, sending it crashing into a tree.  

I looked at my hands, my chest heaving. "What the—"  

"Focus!" Eric's voice snapped me back into reality.  

The first hellhound was after him again, its jaws dangerously close to his throat. Eric twisted, using his massive body to knock the beast off balance.  

The second hellhound quickly recovered, shaking off the impact as if it were nothing. Its gaze fixed on me, and it charged again.  

This time, I did not hesitate. I reached for the power and allowed it to flow through me like a dark tide. The shadows followed my commands, forming a barrier that the hellhound slammed into headfirst. It howled in frustration and clawed at the barrier.  

Eric killed the first hellhound with a brutal bite to the neck, spilling blood on the ground. He reverted to human form, chest heaving and face covered in blood. 

"Kyara!" he said. 

I turned as the second hellhound smashed through the barrier. It dashed at me, its jaws snapping inches from my face. I fell backward, my heart beating against my ribcage. 

Eric arrived quickly, catching the hellhound by the back of the neck and pulling it back with extraordinary power. He plunged a knife into its side, the blade gleaming slightly. The hellhound gave an unsettling scream before falling in a heap. 

Silence dropped, disrupted only by the crackle of the fire and our strained breathing. 

"What the hell was that?" I inquired, my voice shaking.  

Eric wiped the blood off his face, his expression grim. "Hellhounds don't appear without a reason. "Someone sent them."  

"Who?"  

He paused, his jaw tightening. "Victor. Maybe. "Or someone worse."  

"Worse?"  

Eric didn't respond. Instead, he moved closer, brushing his hand against my arm. His touch was steady, but his eyes were dark with concern.  

"Kyara," he added gently, "you cannot keep hiding from this. The power within you is dangerous, same time additionally holds the one thing that can keep you alive."  

"I didn't ask for any of this," I sighed slowly, tears filling my eyes.  

"I know," he said gently, with his eyes clenched on mine. "But you're not alone in this. I will not let you face it alone."  

His words made me feel strangely warm, but before I could respond, the ground beneath us shook.  

Eric's head snapped up and his body tensed. "We have to move. Now."  

"What is it?"  

He didn't answer. He took my hand and drew me into the trees. 

As we raced, an immense, bone-chilling roar resounded throughout the night. Whatever it was, it wasn't a Hellhound. 

"Eric," I gasped, attempting to keep up. "What is that?" 

He looked at me with a pale face. "The thing that sent the hellhounds." 

The roar returned, closer this time, and I felt it vibrating through my bones. 

"Kyara," Eric uttered quietly, "whatever happens, don't stop running." 

Before I could respond, the earth in front of us shattered in an unexpected downpour of dirt and stone.

An enormous figure appeared from the smoke; unlike anything I'd ever seen. Its eyes glowed sickening green, and its body was twisted with muscle and shadows.

Eric pushed me behind him, taking a protective stance.  

"Kyara," he said softly and urgently, "stay back."  

The creature let out a guttural snarl, its eyes fixed on me.  

Then it spoke.  

"Silverblood."  

My heart has stopped.  

It knew.