Moria strode through the dark forest, holding a frayed length of red ribbon.
"The rest has to be here." She turned to see Levi, Oswald, and the other guard--Jonas--clustered around, watching her. "You have lanterns. Look for it."
"We have." Levi's voice took on a whine. "The ribbon is gone. We need to head back."
"The village is that way." Moria pointed into the darkness. "Anyone else who thinks saving the Seeker and the governor is too much work can go with him."
Gavril had not stopped searching for the ribbon. After a moment's pause, the other three joined him, while following the trail of cut and broken branches.
It should have been dawn by now. The others were probably telling themselves that the rays of weak light were the rising sun, but Moria knew it was the moon. Night was her time. The Keeper. Bond-mate of the cat. Protector of the night. Daughter of the moon.
Moria had been in the forest before. Not far. It was the Seeker who ventured in while the Keeper guarded the mouth. But those short trips to the second guard tower had told her what to expect. The cold, hollow weight of death.
They kept walking until Levi said, "Does anyone else hear that?"
Before Moria could reply, something darted through the trees. She glanced at Gavril. His grip tightened on his sword. Daigo's growl rose until it vibrated through the air.
A shadow bolted past, so close that Daigo spat, fur rising. Two of the lanterns flickered. The third sputtered out.
"Everyone back!" Moria said. "We just passed a clearing. Retreat to that. We can fight there."
Fight shadows? With what? Swords?
When Gavril opened his mouth, she tensed for argument, but he barked, "Get back! Move!"
Moria and Gavril herded the others to the clearing. There they clustered in a ring, backs together, blades out. Shadows wove and dodged through the forest around them.
Moria channeled her energy and commanded the spirits to be gone. The men shifted and muttered under their breath. When one of the shadows passed close, Levi lunged at it.
"No!" Moria shouted. "Stay in formation!"
Oswald yanked Levi back. Then, from deep inside the forest, came a voice.
"Moria!"
"Ashyn," she breathed. She started to take a step in that direction, then stopped herself and looked back at the others.
"You think it's a trick?" Levi whispered when she hesitated.
No, but I think if I leave this clearing, you'll all be dead.
She could hear someone crashing through the bushes. She looked down to see Daigo leaning toward the noise, ears up, tail swishing, poised to run.
"Go," she whispered.
The wildcat shot off noiselessly through the woods. Moria waited, her heart thumping. Please, please, please.
"Daigo!" Ashyn called.
The sound of running footsteps resumed, and Moria had to fight to stay where she was. When she saw her sister's pale hair, she relaxed. Then she saw her sister's eyes, wide with terror as she ran. There was a shape right behind her. A dark shadow--
No, not a shadow. A flesh-and-blood being with a blade in his hand. Chasing Ashyn.
The moment Daigo and Ashyn stepped into the clearing, Moria hit her sister's pursuer square-on, knocking him to the ground, pinning his arms as a blade flashed.
Her gaze flew to that blade first. It was her dagger.
"This feels familiar," said a voice below her.