The figure stepped closer, their silhouette outlined by the faint, flickering light of the group’s torches. Cassie’s grip tightened on her dagger, her breath steadying as she scanned the figure for weapons.

  Theodoric stood his ground, sword raised, his presence commanding despite the tension coiling through the group. “What do you want?” he demanded, his voice carrying effortlessly over the sharp rustle of the wind.

  The figure didn’t answer, their posture unnervingly relaxed. Instead, they raised a gloved hand, fingers curling slightly as if signaling something unseen.

  A moment of silence passed, thick and brittle, before the growls began.

  They were faint at first, bleeding into the stillness like distant thunder, but quickly swelled, echoing off the gorge walls. Theodoric turned sharply, his voice cutting through the noise. “Defensive circle! Shields up!”

  Cassie moved without hesitation, slipping into her position beside Captain Hildiger. The captain’s broad shoulders were a steadying presence at her side, his longsword gleaming faintly in the weak light. Around them, the group scrambled into formation, shields interlocking with a scrape of metal and leather.

  The growls grew louder, coming from all directions.

  “They’re surrounding us,” Hildiger muttered, his tone grim.

  Cassie nodded, her eyes scanning the trees at the edge of the clearing. Shadows danced in the torchlight, but nothing moved. Yet the growls persisted, a chorus of unseen predators that tightened her chest.

  “Steady!” Theodoric barked, his voice cutting through the mounting fear.

  A flicker of movement caught her eye—a pair of glowing eyes glinting in the underbrush. Cassie tensed, her dagger shifting slightly in her grip. The first beast emerged, low and sinuous, its muscles rippling under mangy fur. Its claws scraped against the ground, and its glowing eyes locked on the group with chilling intelligence.

  “Wait for my signal,” Theodoric commanded, his sword poised to strike.

  Another beast slunk from the shadows, followed by two more, their growls harmonizing in a haunting cadence. They moved with an unsettling precision, their claws clicking against the rocky ground as they circled the group.

  “They’re working together,” Cassie murmured to Hildiger.

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  “Not natural,” he agreed, his voice low.

  The largest beast lunged first, a blur of muscle and fury that crashed against the shield wall with terrifying force. Cassie braced herself as the impact reverberated through the line, sending two guards staggering backward.

  “Now!” Theodoric shouted.

  The group exploded into action. Hildiger surged forward with a roar, his longsword cleaving through the first beast’s flank in a spray of dark blood. Cassie moved in tandem, darting to his side to intercept a second creature that lunged at his exposed flank. Her dagger struck true, plunging deep into the beast’s throat. It collapsed with a gurgling snarl, its claws twitching uselessly against the ground.

  Theodoric fought with deadly precision, his sword arcing through the air to meet the largest predator head-on. The beast reared back, snarling as his blade sliced a deep gash across its chest. Undeterred, it lunged again, its claws narrowly missing his armor as he sidestepped with fluid grace.

  “Push them back!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

  Cassie drove her dagger into another creature’s side, her movements sharp and efficient. Blood sprayed across her gloves as the beast fell, its lifeless body slumping to the ground.

  Theodoric’s blade struck again, finding the heart of the largest predator. It let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing, its massive body kicking up a cloud of dust.

  For a brief moment, silence fell over the clearing.

  “Regroup,” Theodoric ordered, his voice steady despite the sheen of sweat on his brow. “Check the wounded.”

  Cassie wiped her dagger clean on the hem of her cloak, her breathing steadying as she scanned the perimeter. The torchlight flickered weakly, casting erratic shadows that made it difficult to tell whether the beasts had truly retreated.

  “They weren’t attacking blindly,” she said quietly, moving to Theodoric’s side.

  His gaze remained fixed on the darkness beyond the gorge. “Go on.”

  “They’re coordinated,” she continued. “Too coordinated. Someone’s directing them.”

  His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then he turned to Hildiger. “We can’t hold this position. We’re exposed and low on supplies. Prepare for a retreat.”

  Hildiger nodded, his expression grim as he began issuing orders to the guards.

  Cassie stayed close to Theodoric, her eyes darting between the trees as they prepared to move. The faint rustle of leaves set her on edge, and she caught another flicker of movement at the edge of the clearing.

  The shadowy figure.

  They stood motionless, their dark cloak blending seamlessly into the forest. But the insignia of Dietrich’s faction caught the light again, unmistakable in its gleam.

  “Your Highness,” she murmured, tilting her head toward the figure.

  His gaze followed hers, narrowing sharply as he spotted the figure. “They’re toying with us.”

  “We need to go. Now,” she pressed, her voice low but urgent.

  He nodded. “Move out!”

  The group began their retreat, each step measured and deliberate as they carefully picked their way over loose rocks and uneven ground as they expertly avoided the hidden pitfalls that lurked beneath the surface.

  Cassie stayed near the rear, her dagger ready as she scanned for any sign of pursuit. The forest felt alive around them, the faint growls returning as if to mock their efforts.

  Every step felt heavier, every shadow a potential threat.

  When they reached a small ridge, Cassie turned back, her eyes searching the treeline one last time. The shadowy figure remained, watching silently as the group disappeared into the darkness.