Chapter 59: A Deadly Encounter Lucas POV

As I made my way through the thick underbrush, each foot strategically placed to minimize noise, the forest was strangely quiet. Long shadows that moved with the wind were created by the early light that penetrated through the canopy. Anna was instructed to remain in the cabin and keep the door locked until I got back. Although she hadn't argued, her cautious expression said a lot. This needed to be fixed. In some way.

Scouting was a risk that had to be taken. The cabin's solitude did not ensure protection, and the howls we had heard the night before were not far enough away to be comfortable. We had to know if Oliver's warriors were drawing near. Every sound and change in the air was studied for danger, and my senses were constantly alert.

I stopped as I heard a slight rustle to my left, and my hand automatically went to the blade by my side. My heart pounded, and I listened for anything other than the typical forest noises. A squirrel, its motions shockingly loud in the silence, darted up a tree. I let out a deep breath and relaxed my hold on the hilt.

Then it happened, too quickly for me to respond, a blur of movement to my right. The air was knocked out of my lungs as the blow drove me crashing to the ground. Instinctively, I rolled, just evading a sword that was headed for my throat. With a roar, my assailant transformed back into a human, and I was able to identify the insignia on his ripped tunic: Nightshade.

He circled me and growled, "Traitor, you should have stayed away."

My stomach turned as two more warriors appeared out of the darkness, their snarling smiles menacing. I stood up, my dagger at the ready.

I responded, trying to hide my discomfort with bluster, "Oliver sent his lapdogs to do his dirty work. I feel flattered."

The second warrior stated in a mocking tone, "Hand over the girl, and we'll make this quick. Oliver desires her to live. You? Not very much."

"I guess I'll let him down then," I retorted, launching myself forward.

The battle was relentless and vicious. There were too many of them, but my dagger found flesh, and a shrill cry verified my hit. With his claws digging into my shoulder, one of them tackled me from behind. I pushed him away, spinning to slash at another as the pain flared. Their blows were merciless, yet blood spewed everywhere. I was unable to keep up.

The third warrior took hold of my arm and twisted it till I heard a cracking sound that made my stomach turn. After my dagger fell, I gave a painful growl and gave him a headbutt to free myself. I managed to seize a dropped blade during the brief respite, but my eyesight became hazy and the edges darkened. Sensing my vulnerability, they circled once more.

The leader smirked and raised his weapon for the final blow, saying, "This is where it ends, Lucas."

A wave of desperation swept over me. I fell to the ground and knocked him off balance by sweeping my leg out. He grunted as he landed, and I took advantage of the opportunity to stab upward, landing a blow to the chest. The others were still on me, but his body trembled and then became limp. Something cracked as one of them kicked me viciously in the ribs.

As I struggled to remain conscious, I breathed in short gasps. Although I had already defeated two, the final one was unrelenting, dragging his claws along my side. I swung wildly, smacking him across the face as my vision swam. He stumbled back and swore, but he didn't move. Instead, he gave me a menacing gaze and threatened to exact retribution before disappearing into the woods.

With the world teetering dangerously, I fell to my knees. Blood seeped into the woodland floor from my wounds. The adrenaline that had kept me standing dissipated, leaving only burning pain and an overpowering sensation of failure. I needed to return to Anna.

I grabbed my side and forced myself to my feet with all the remaining strength I had. The cabin wasn’t far, but each step felt like a mile. My vision blurred, and I stumbled, catching myself against a tree.

I felt a wave of relief when the cabin finally appeared, but it was fleeting. As I stumbled closer, Anna stood in the doorway, her face changing from one of surprise to one of dread.

"Lucas!" She came running to me, crying.

My legs gave up just as I reached the steps. With her petite frame straining under my weight, Anna grabbed me.

"What took place?" With a quivering voice, she demanded.

"Ambush," I finally choked. “Warriors with night shades.”

Fear flashed across her face as her eyes widened. "They discovered us?"

As she assisted me inside, I whimpered and murmured, "Not... all of them."

Despite the worry in her eyes, Anna's hands were remarkably steady as she led me to the cot. She ripped at my shirt's material, exposing the cuts and bruises. Even when her breath caught, she didn't falter.

"What kept you from waiting?" Her voice was piercing with rage and something more profound as she asked. "What kept you from telling me?"

The weight of her mistrust pierced my eyes more deeply than any wound. I continued, scarcely raising my voice above a whisper, "I didn't want to put you at risk. You... you must be safe."

"And you believe that fleeing on your own is the solution?" She held a handkerchief to my bleeding side and snapped, her hands trembling. "Lucas, you might have died."

Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "Better me than you."

Anna's eyes searched mine as she froze. "Why?" she said in a whisper that was almost audible. "What are you doing? Why are you putting yourself in danger for me?"

I couldn't think of a response that would please her. Duty, instinct, and something I wasn't yet ready to name all intertwined with the truth.

At last, I answered, "Because I have to."

The gap between us grew more than just physical as her face tightened and she retreated. "That isn't good enough," she stated in a chilly tone.

The ensuing hush was deafening. As she worked on the supplies, Anna shifted to the far corner of the room, away from me. My injuries had nothing to do with the agony in my chest.

My final thought before tiredness seized over was that I had let her down in more ways than one. Furthermore, I doubted that I would ever be able to mend it.