I stood as another figure stepped in behind the first—bulkier, but dressed the same. I couldn't sense anyone else, just the two of them.
"Well, she dodged your attack, Ryke. I wouldn't call her a brat if I were you," said the second man—Buck—his voice raspier, rougher.
My eyes widened. Naial was in Buck's arms. He held her tightly.
She whimpered, eyes brimming with tears as she looked at me. "BIG SIS, HELP ME!" she screamed before Buck clamped his hand over her mouth, muffling the struggle.
Ryke laughed—a low, gruesome sound—as he drew a dagger and pressed it against Naial's cheek. She burst into tears.
"Nai!" I screamed, lunging forward.
Stupid move. I aimed my dagger at Ryke's throat, but he caught my wrist mid-swing and lifted me clean off the floor. His grip tightened—pain flared. The lavender construct flickered and died. He locked eyes with me, brown and cold, full of menace.
"See, Buck? She's all talk, no bite."
He laughed again and squeezed harder. My wrist felt like it might snap. My legs dangled as I grit my teeth—then kicked wildly.
One hit. Directly where the sun doesn't shine.
Ryke grunted and dropped me as he doubled over, groaning, hands between his legs. The second my feet hit the ground, I didn't hesitate.
"Servants of the land, bend to my will!" I yelled.
I snatched the nearest object—metal, maybe? Didn't matter.
"MANIFEST!"
It glowed with magic, twisted at my command, and whipped across Ryke's face, slamming him aside like a ragdoll.
Buck dropped Naial and lunged.
"MANIFEST!" I cried again.
The floor beneath him cracked open—splinters launched like spears. I yanked my arm back and a pillar of lavender energy surged up, catching him full in the face.
I rushed to Naial, scooping her up. "Sorry, Nai. It's okay now. Big sis is here. No more scary guys. You're safe."
But before the words finished leaving my lips, something yanked my hair—and I was airborne.
I slammed into something hard. My back screamed. I hit the floor in a heap, pain exploding through my limbs. My magic was nearly gone, my soul still recovering from the earlier spell. I couldn't cast again. Not like this.
Vision blurry, I saw Naial racing toward me—only to be snatched back again by Ryke. She kicked, flailed.
I tried to rise—then fingers twisted in my hair and yanked. My head split with pain. Buck had me now.
I screamed—truly screamed—clawing at his hand, trying to pry myself free. Useless.
"This is where your little show ends, girl," he growled, wrapping his hand around my throat.
He squeezed.
No air.
No breath.
Agony.
I dangled, legs thrashing, lungs burning. Somewhere behind me, Naial screamed my name, but the world was fading to black. My edges blurred, and then—
I saw it. Something huge. Furry. Standing behind Buck.
A statue?
A shadow?
Was it death?
Buck's grip on my hair loosened as he turned—and then screamed. His voice barely echoed before something crunched. Wet. Gory. Bone.
The beast's jaws closed around his head and crushed it like glass. One second he was a threat, the next he was a corpse. Blood splashed across my face—hot and horrible.
"FUCKER! YOU KILLED HIM!" Ryke shouted. Then came a thud—probably Naial—and the sound of scrambling feet.
The bear shifted, stepping in front of me like a living wall. Through the curve of its body, I saw Ryke sprint toward the window—the one I'd shut earlier.
He didn't make it. Mid-run, he slammed into something invisible. Bounced off. Got up. Slammed again. Trapped. His hands flailed as he tried to find a way out.
"Who gave you permission to leave?" a voice asked—low, thunderous, echoing like a god's breath in the room.
Ryke froze.
The beast nestled closer to me, guarding me with its massive body. Its warmth helped me think again. My head pounded. My chest ached. Naial scrambled to me and threw herself into my arms, babbling panicked nonsense I couldn't even register.
Inside the glowing magical barrier, Ryke backed away, eyes wide, cornered like prey.
That's when Mother entered.
Silent. Unshakable. Furious.
She strode into the room, face unreadable. But when her eyes landed on us—on me, on Naial—that icy resolve broke. She dropped to her knees and pulled us both into her arms.
"By the gods, my children—are you alright? Are you hurt?" Her voice cracked. "I'm sorry. I should've been here."
I smiled, bloodied and aching. "Don't worry, Mother. I'm strong. I won't fall to some sewer rats."
Before she could answer, Naial—bless her soul—blurted, "She kicked one in the balls. You should've seen it."
"Naial!" I gasped, shooting her a glare.
She blinked at me, calm as ever. "What? You did."
Mother arched a brow. "Really now?"
I coughed. "Tactical strike."
"She screamed before it hit," Naial added.
"I did not—!"
"Girls," Mother exhaled, smiling now—but then her gaze zeroed in on my face. On the blood. Her expression darkened.
She reached out and gently touched my cheek. "Whose blood is this?"
"Not mine!" I squeaked. "Swear it! The bandit's. Because of him."
I pointed to the bear.
A literal bear.
Mother glared at it like she'd seen this show before. "I told you not to kill in front of the girls," she snapped. "You'll traumatize them."
The bear tilted its head, then made a sound—half snarl, half laugh.
It stepped forward... and licked the blood off my cheek.
Slimy. Sticky. Gross. I gagged and spat. Naial, of course, giggled and pet it like a stuffed toy.
"REYNARD!" Mother shouted. The bear froze. Those glowing golden eyes turned toward her, full of mischief.
"Don't ignore me. Enough of this. Let's find out why these bastards came here."
Her voice was low. Controlled. Dangerous.
She'd said "Reynard."
My stomach dropped.
So... Uncle Ren licked me?!
My whole face lit up like a furnace.
The bear laughed again—yes, laughed—and then a golden light pulsed from his form. Fur turned to ash. Bones shifted, claws receded, muscles contorted. A shimmer of transformation ended with a tall man standing upright, stretching casually like nothing had happened.
Uncle Ren.
He shook fur from his hair, cracked his neck, and reached over to ruffle my head.
I stood there, mortified.
"WHY WOULD YOU LICK ME?! That was horrifying! Were you even thinking?!"
Naial tried to hold me back as I launched into full meltdown mode.
Uncle Ren raised his hands, looking every bit like a saint caught red-handed. "Didn't mean to freak you out, Kay. There was blood on your face, and licking it off just seemed... efficient—"
CRACK.
Mother yanked both his ears in a death grip.
"OW—AMARA—I NEED THOSE!"
"And I wonder what you'd use them for," she snarled. "Because clearly nothing I say gets through your thick skull!"
She twisted harder. "And don't even get me started on the brilliance it took to LICK my daughter!"
Uncle Ren wheezed. Naial was doubled over laughing. I just stood there, watching like it was a divine comedy sent by the gods.
I tried to stand, groaning as Naial grabbed my hand to steady me. Everything ached. But we were alive.
Then—laughter. Wild and cracked.
Ryke.
Still trapped in the glowing cage.
He leaned against the barrier, eyes full of panic and amusement. "What a cozy little reunion. Makes me wanna cry."
He smirked. "Almost."
Uncle Ren stepped forward. "Big words for someone who got folded by a child."
Ryke flinched. "Did I upset your little cub? Maybe your bitch should give you a—"
CRACK.
The barrier glowed red and Ryke screamed, convulsing as the magic seared through him.
I froze. Turned to Mother. She hadn't even chanted—her hand just glowed with red, smoke-like energy.
She stepped forward, slow and silent. Uncle Ren moved aside.
"You don't get to speak to my family like that," she said. "And since you're going to die anyway... you'd better answer wisely."
Ryke coughed, spat—but the barrier vaporized it.
"Like hell I'm talking to you, bit—"
CRACK.
He writhed, mouth agape, twitching violently.
Mother didn't blink.
I stepped forward, but Ren stopped me. One look from him told me everything.
This wasn't my mother right now.
This was the Huntress of the Western Isle.
"Why are you here, lowlife?" she demanded, voice sharp as flint.
Ryke gave a slow, twisted smile. "Wouldn't you love to know?"
The magic on Mother's hand flared.
He finally spoke. "Some little beast spread a rumor. About a certain girl in the Western Isle..."
My heart skipped.
Mother's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Ryke's gaze found mine.
I felt it crawl down my spine.
"They say there's a girl here," he said softly. "A powerful one. Worth a fortune. And you know... every smart man wants a piece of that."
SLAM.
Mother's hand hit the barrier. "What do you mean?! Who are you after?!"
He just smiled. Shrugged." Let me put this in simpler terms" He whispers low
"So even a bitch like you can get it..."
He pointed straight at me.
Dead center.
"We want your daughter, Amara Ashworth."