Pursuer (Alwahi Series) (22 page)

Zanas ducked into a side canyon, keeping her ears focused for movement behind her. She wondered how long it would take Dressdon to pick up her trail. He was a skilled hunter and she had no doubt that he would catch up. Even if she had been able to outsmart Dressdon, the telltale trail of blood that she was leaving in her wake would lead him right to her. Besides, she was losing too much blood; her new rush of energy wouldn’t last long. She needed to figure out a way to meet him on her own terms.

Zanas stopped her movement, and began scanning the tall wall of the canyon, trying to find a place that she might be able to climb up to. The glimmer of shale at the foot of the wall drew her attention. A piece lay there like a dagger chiseled by the gods themselves, laying in wait for her hands to grasp it in defense. She picked it up, tucking it into her waist as she began her climb up the rock face.

She climbed up above the entrance to the canyon, looking down she could clearly pick out the red drops that dotted the canyon floor beneath her. From this vantage, it appeared as though she had been struggling, her trail weaving back and forth. This was good. He would think that she was weakening. She tried not to think too long on the fact that this was true, as her hands began to shake, cold as ice.

A shuffle in the canyon below her drew her attention. He was coming, his eyes scanning the floor, stalking his prey. His bow rested solidly in his hands, his final black tipped arrow awaiting its release.
He was a formidable opponent.
Her last thought echoed in her mind as his green eyes flashed up toward her, just as her body tensed, preparing to drop down on him, her jagged blade clenched in her hands.

Her body fell like an angel of death, hurtling down towards her foe. Her delirium filled plummet felt as though she soared like a bird. She could almost feel the wings that carried her body. A blurry movement crossed her vision, and a scream escaped her lips, as the searing poker was applied to her flesh once more, the third arrow piercing her thigh.

The bird had been shot down, and she fell with no direction. Zanas felt the vibration in her bones as she hit Dressdon, slamming him to the floor. The searing pain of the arrow pulled another scream from her lips, but this time in rage. The blade still clenched in her hands, she brought it to Dressdon’s neck, applying pressure. She watched as small drops of blood escaped from the thin line that appeared.

He made no move to defend himself. Zanas breathed through bared teeth, the sickening sweet smell of her blood heavy in the air.

“
I should cut you…” she growled, gripping the blade tighter in her hands. “You shot me!”

“
And you survived, just as I knew you would,” he said quietly, his eyes still dancing with the flames she had seen earlier. “I would not have placed you here if I didn’t think you would survive. How do you think you ended up on this team?” he asked. For a moment, she was too surprised to speak.

“
You…” she began.

“
I requested that you be put on my team,” he said with a look that made her heart pound excitedly. Her vision lost its reddish hue and began to return to normal. “I knew that it would mean that I would have to face you in the final challenge.” His eyes had begun to smolder, their gaze holding her captive. “I believe whole heartedly in the ways of the Pursuer. We all must rightfully pass the final challenge.” His hands moved up, gently pulling the blade out of her hands. “And you
have
passed…” he whispered, “And now you’re mine. Just as you always have been, from that first moment I saw you in the woods.”

“
You’re
mine
Zanass
.” Her name ended on his lips with a slight hiss.

To learn more about the author, or future books in the Alwahi Series visit moniquemorgan.com