AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A stick broke in the trees, startling us both. We whirled toward the sound, instinctually conjuring battle orbs at the same time. The light from our sizzling orbs reflected off a pair of eyes. The rest of the creature was cast in shadow. Whatever it was must’ve been within the boundary of our ward when we cast it.
A low growl emitted from the creature’s throat, and it stepped forward until I could make out the features of a large feline. Lucas immediately threw himself in front of me.
“Is that a mountain lion!?” I cried, my heart hammering. I might have battle orbs to protect myself, but this creature was huge, with claws that looked razor-sharp. One mistake, and that creature could tear us both to shreds.
“Mountain lions don’t live here,” Lucas panicked. “That’s way bigger.”
It looked like an African lion, though it had no mane, so it must’ve been female. What the hell was a lion doing in the mountains of Connecticut?
“It looks hungry,” I said warily as the lion began to pace in front of us.
“It’s not getting anywhere near us,” Lucas promised. The battle orb in his hand grew brighter. His voice became stern as he spoke directly to the lion. “Walk away now, or you’ll be sorry.”
“Lucas, it doesn’t understand you,” I insisted.
The lion bared its teeth, and for a moment, I thought I caught recognition in its eyes… like it did understand us.
Then the lion lunged. Lucas threw his battle orb, but it bounced off the lion’s fur. She flew through the air, her claws aimed straight for his throat. Lucas created a shield around us, and the lion slammed straight into it. She stumbled back, shaking her head.
“That battle orb should’ve killed her!” I cried. “That’s not normal.”
The lion bared her teeth again, and a loud, terrifying roar erupted from her lungs. Flames burst across her fur, lighting up the night like a bonfire.
“That’s because that’s no normal lion!” Lucas cried.
The creature jumped at us, but I created a shield that guarded us from all angles. The lion slammed against it, unable to get through. She swiped her claws out, and red-hot fire seared the shield from all angles. It felt like the flames were covering my entire body. I cried out, and my shield fell. The pain dissipated, but the lion readied for another attack.
Lucas shoved me. “Run!”
The ward we’d created shattered, and we took off running. Lucas threw battle orbs behind us to slow the creature down.
“Maybe I can… siphon her powers,” I suggested through ragged breaths.
“You’re never going to get your hands on her—” Lucas’s words cut off, and I whirled around to see the lion latch her jaws around his pant leg. Her fur bristled as her eyes locked on mine for a second.
“Lucas!” I screamed.
The lion dragged him backward. Lucas clawed at the ground, but he couldn’t escape her hold. I shot magic at the lion, but nothing I did fazed her. She dragged Lucas through the forest, leading me onward until coming to an abrupt halt.
“Get off, you fucking—” Lucas’s insult died on his tongue as the lion leapt on top of him and pressed a paw to his mouth.
I caught up with them, though I was winded. Their eyes locked. I feared if I moved, the lion would attack him again. “Lucas…?”
Slowly, the lion backed away, and Lucas got to his feet.
“She didn’t hurt me,” he said in astonishment. “I think she wants us to follow her.”
The lion ducked her head, and I realized that I saw fear in her eyes for the first time. She hadn’t come to attack us. She’d come to ask for help.
“She’s a Fire lion, which means she belongs to the Elementai. Her bonded companion must be nearby,” Lucas pointed out.
“All right,” I said warily. “Lead the way.”
The lion looked to Lucas again and nodded.
“I think she’s telling us to be quiet,” he said.
The lion slunk through the trees, and we followed closely behind. The sound of voices came from up ahead.
