Daria's POV

All was blurred in the forest as I ran.

Branches tore my cloak and my flesh, roots as hands smatched at me, but I made no slack. I could not take a breath without my lungs burning, could not take a step without soreness in my shoulder, and I was driven on more than ever by fear.

Rylan was behind me.

I could sense him, not only hear him chasing, but sense his agonised attention, as if it were a blade, against my back. He wasn’t yelling now. He didn’t have to. He was hunting.

Ari! he cried, too near to think he was dreaming. “You can’t outrun...