07.04.2021 Views

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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The wolven leapt, twisting in midair. He landed on the wall. Claws

dug into the stone, and then he launched himself off, landing halfwayy in

the hall.

“Go!” Phillips tugged me into the stairwell in front of him.

The space was dark with onlyy the faintest light to lead the wayy. Myy

boots slipped over the stone. I grabbed the railing as I swung onto the

landing, nearlyy falling. But I didn’t stop.

We blew through the final set of stairs and burst out the door, myy

brain finallyy spewing out something helpful, reminding me that I had a

weapon. Bloodstone. It could kill a wolven if the heart or head were

struck, just like a Craven.

Myy feet pounded off the frozen ground as I yyanked the dagger free.

“The stables.” Phillips ran, his cloak billowing out behind him like

waves of black water.

Hawke.

Had Kieran done something to Hawke? Myy heart lurched—

The howl from above shattered the earlyy morning silence, jerking up

myy head just as the wolven came over the railing.

He landed on the ground behind us, letting out another spine-tingling

howl.

From the woods or from the keep, I heard an answer. A roar that sent

a bolt of cold terror through me.

There was more than one.

“Gods.” I gasped, pushing harder than I’d ever pushed before. There

was no wayy I was leaving here without Hawke, but I needed to get as far

awayy from that thing as possible. That was all I could focus on because if I

slowed down for even half a second, he would be on me.

We rounded the corner, Phillips slipping but regaining his balance as

we rushed toward the stables, not a single guard in sight, and that wasn’t

right. There should be guards out at this time.

I saw Luddie and the other guard.

“Shut the doors!” Phillips shouted as we exploded into the stables,

startling the saddled horses. “Shut the godsdamn doors!”

The two men turned as I skidded to a stop, whipping around. I knew

the moment theyy saw the wolven.

“Holyy shit,” Bryyant whispered, the blood draining from his face.

Kieran was gaining on us.

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