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Chapter Twenty-Eight: Trial by Fire
Last Updated:
2025-01-11 03:06:51
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Tara’s P.o.v: I stumbled into the cottage, each step heavier than the last. My legs quivering from the punishing combat drills, my arms screaming in protest at even the slightest movement. The door creaked as it closed behind me, the sound echoing faintly in the stillness of the night. I leaned against the sturdy wooden frame, allowing myself a r moment of vulnerability, and exhale a shuddering breath.The warmth of the cottage greets me, though it does little to soothe the storm raging within. My fingers tremble as I peeled off the sweat-soaked, dirt-streaked clothing clinging to my body. The day’s training was brutal, yet it paled in comparison to the shocking revelation that had emerged in the clearing: fire. Raw, uncontrollable fire that erupted from my hands with a fierce, primal hunger. I felt its heat, saw its searing glow, but now, as I stand here, the memory feels distant, almost unreal.“What the hell is happening to me?” I whisper into the quiet room, nearly expecting som
The last Guardian Chapter Twenty-Eight: Trial by Fire
Sam’s p.o.v.The morning light slices through the trees, golden and unforgiving. I’m standing in the center of the clearing, arms crossed, waiting and watching as Tara trudges into view. Her steps are slower today, heavier. The exhaustion from yesterday’s training obviously lingering in the tightness of her movements and the slump of her shoulders. Still, there’s that familiar fire in her eyes as she looks up towards me, like a glimmer of stubborn resolve that refusing to be extinguished.Good. She’s going to need every ounce of that stubbornness for what’s coming.I’ve seen my share of battles, but even if only half of what Linda told me will come to be, it’s going to be a suicide mission if she’s not ready.“Tara,” I called, tossing her weighted gauntlets. She caught them, though the force of the throw made her stagger a bit, her muscles must be sore. “Today, we focus on endurance.”She stared at the gauntlets, then at me. She wisely keeps any protests herself, though I saw a flicke
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The last Guardian Chapter Twenty-two
Christian’s p.o.v.Pain sears through my paw, the bite of metal on bone excruciating, I know pulling will only make it worse, but my animal side is in full panic mode and no matter how hard I try, I can’t get him to submit. Having hands would sure make this a whole lot easier, but shifting now will definitely cause more damage, I’d probably lose my hand entirely in the process.The crunch of boots on fallen leaves takes my animals terror up another notch, he’s snarling, biting at our paw and the clamp that’s tightly closed around it, blood gushes from the wound, but the adrenaline seems to be blocking out most of the pain for now, from the corner of my eye I can see the gleam of weapons, probably silver and I’m certain my luck has run out, fear grips my heart as the reality sets in, I’ve been captured. Big rough hands grab the scruff of my neck, pushing my nose deep into the mud. All I can smell is blood and damp earth, but judging by the size of the hands and the strength he’s usin
The last Guardian Chapter Twenty-One
Linda’s P.o.v.There’s an unease in the air, thick and suffocating, I can almost see it vibrating, much like the rising heat that’s visible above the asphalted roads on a hot summers-day. Although I have never been able to shift, the wolf gene that’s encoded deep within my blood feels as if it’s bristled, hackles raised and ready to attack.I have tried every single ritual I can think of, from breathing exercises to full on spell work, just to get a premonition on what’s about to happen, but to no avail.Frustrated I throw the bowl of moon water against the wall, shattering the intricate glasswork into a thousand little colorful pieces, sunlight peeking through the old wooden shutters hits the shards and creates a kaleidoscope of miniature rainbows on the cream colored walls of my little personal shrine.I would’ve called it a beautiful sight had I not been so incredibly on edge.Just as I reluctantly grab my broom to clean up the mess I made, the door to my sanctuary is flung open a
