Chapter 44 The Hunter
Amara’s POV
I was attacked by the shadow beast.
Its claws raked the air where my face had just been, and I stumbled back, barely avoiding it in time. I could hear the pounding of my heart in my ears. I threw out my palm without thinking, summoning the silver light from deep inside me.
“Lunarus protect me!” I yelled.
A flash of pale energy rushed from my palm, hitting the beast square in the chest. It did not fall, but it yelled in agony.
Panting and on unsteady legs, I retreated. "Remain back! I'm alerting you! "
The creature snarled, its body moving like a living shadow. I had never seen anything like it—no solid body, no fur. Just swirling, raging, black magic.
I held up both hands. "Work, please," I said.
Once more, the light flashed. In order to prevent another attack, I formed it into a shield. Shouting, the beast crashed into it.
"Where are they?” I let out a cry. "Rowan! Kian! Anyone? "
No response. Only the hiss of the thing around me and the rustle of leaves.
I summoned more magic and dug deep. Now my mark was blazing hot. It was hot, bright, and wild, the lunar magic coursing through me.
“Do you want to fight?” "All right," I gritted my teeth and said quietly. "Let's take action."
With a burst of energy, I charged the beast. I clipped its side as it screamed and attempted to dodge. Like smoke, a fragment of shadow pulled off.
It lunged once more, hissing in rage. It caught my shoulder as I ducked to the left, just missing the swipe of its claws. I was in agony. I screamed and grabbed my arm as I fell to the ground.
The thing towered over me.
"Not in this manner," I said. "This is not how I'm going to die."
I screamed, "LUNARUS!" while closing my eyes and taking a trembling breath. "
The silver light burst out of my body in a huge wave. The beast staggered back, shrieking. My magic ripped through it, slicing and burning. It screamed as if it were in pain.
However, I also sensed it. It was too much magic. It quickly depleted me.
My vision became hazy. My knees gave out. “Just… a little more…”
Suddenly, there came a huge roar—different this time. Not from the beast of the shadow.
Rowan was the one.
“AMARA!” He let out a scream.
I turned weakly as he charged from the trees, sword in hand, eyes burning red with fury.
"Kian! Get her!” he shouted.
Kian was right behind him, his face pale with panic. “Oh gods—Amara!"
I tried to stand, but my legs were numb. “Be careful… it’s strong…”
Rowan didn’t hesitate. With a growl I had never heard before, he leaped at the beast. For a moment, I believed the creature would flee as his blade sliced through it.
It didn't.
It fought back.
They clashed—Rowan and the beast—claw against sword, shadow against fire. Rowan moved like a hurricane, sheer wrath. Every time the beast tried to strike him, he dodged or blocked, slicing it again.
“YOU DARE TOUCH HER? ” Rowan roared. “YOU DARE?! "
With one final cry, he drove his sword straight through the beast’s heart. A loud cry rang through the woodland as the thing burst into smoke and fled into the wind.
Quiet.
Only the sound of Rowan’s hard breathing remained.
He turned to me, chest heaving, eyes still glowing red. "Amara."
I gave a feeble smile. "You arrived."
Then his face contorted. He betrayed Kian. "You are to blame for this."
Kian held up his hands. “I—I didn’t know she left. I swear—”
“You were supposed to watch her!” Rowan yelled. “You let her walk right into death!"
“Don’t yell at him,” I whispered. “It’s not his—”
However, Rowan was enraged. He took Kian's collar in his. "You believe that apologizing is sufficient? What if I had arrived late?"
“Rowan…” I made another attempt.
"She might have passed away!” Rowan’s voice cracked.
Kian pushed him aside. "Don't pretend that you are more concerned than I am! It was you who assured her she would be alright!"
It was all spinning, but I wanted to talk, to stop them.
My entire body felt like lead. My brain ached. I blinked gently, trying to stay awake.
Rowan dropped Kian and rushed to me. “Amara, stay with me.”
“I… I’m tired,” I said softly. “Used too much magic…”
Kian knelt beside us. She is on fire. She has lost her vigor.
I was drawn into Rowan's embrace. "Don't close your eyes, please. Amara, look at me.”
I smiled slightly. “You’re warm…”
He held my face. “You’re going to be okay. Just stay awake.”
“I tried to fight it,” I said quietly. “I was strong, wasn’t I? "
"The most powerful," Rowan remarked. His voice faltered.”
I raised my look to the heavens. The moon seemed far away. In my veins, my magic pulsed feebly.
There was silence.
Then there was darkness.