Page 78 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

The forge looms ahead, dark and silent—blessedly close.

Ferria races past and throws open the wooden door, hinges groaning in protest. Inside, it’s pitch black. Thank the Gods she never bothers locking up. No one is stupid enough to steal from the forge.

I rush across the threshold, the thick scent of soot and steel clinging to the air, and help Ferria slam the door shut. The thud of our shoulders against the wood echoes through the dark.

Thump.

Thump.

The door rattles. We press our weight into it. Ferria fumbles blindly, sliding the vertical wooden bar down into place with a heavy thud.

The rattles lessen in intensity. Ferria grabs the nearest table. I rush to her side and help drag it across the stone floor, wedging it against the door.

Growls and snarls echo outside. Scuffles. Pacing. Are the monsters searching for a way in?

I stare into the dark forge. The shutters are drawn, but a sliver of moonlight shines in from the left, illuminating a table of tools. I grab a hammer and clutch it to my heaving chest.

Ferria wipes the back of her hand over her forehead. “Gods, this is a shit night.”

I gape at her hands. “What the hell was that?”

“I don’t know,” she breathes. There’s fear in her voice…but something else, too. Wonder? Excitement? “I’ve never thrown my fire before.”

“Well, it was incredible.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I smile.

But it falters when a keening noise travels through the wood. I shudder.

“Should I light a lantern?” she whispers.

I shake my head. Realizing she might not be able to see me, I mutter, “No. It could make us easier to find.”

Though I suspect the beasts who roam the dark forest already have good night vision.

The sound of shuffling dirt and gravel comes next. Maybe I’m crazy…but it sounds farther away.

I count my breaths and listen.

No…I’m right. The creatures are moving away.

I turn to Ferria. My eyes have adjusted to the darkness enough for me to see her looking back at me.

“Wait here,” I whisper.

She nods.

I slide along the cool stone floor toward the forge’s nearest window—small, rectangular. No way a monster could crawl through it. Hopefully.

I rise onto my knees and steal a glance through the opening.

Jagged, curved claws shoot through faster than I can react.

Pain explodes through my shoulder as razor-sharp talons hook into flesh. Hot blood gushes down my arm.

“LARA!” Ferria shouts.