Pain replaced the whirlwind of rage. The Anubis pulled itself up again on shaking legs. Like a foal learning to walk, rather than a beast powerful enough to command death.
It turned and stumbled in Luca’s direction. More darts made a line from its shoulder to its flank.
The Anubis’s rear legs folded, and it continued to drag itself. Ichor mixed with the saliva hanging in strings from its gaping jaws.
Rage and anger whirling through Luca’s mind flickered in and out. A pain-filled howl reverberated from the Anubis, and it fell into a heap, gaze still on Luca.
Luca…
Luca slammed his elbow into Isaiah’s ribs and threw back his head, smashing him in the face. Isaiah let go and Luca bolted, but whatever strength Luca found to break free washed away and he hit the ground.
The air thinned and his heart sludged in his chest. He crawled. It wasn’t far, and he could make it. He had to make it.
Grass crumpled in his grip. The icy ground soaked his shirt. Luca pushed himself closer.
Varu rushed from the motorhomes, but Luca only cared about one thing.
The Anubis paddled its feet a few times before falling still.
“No…”
Luca’s arms gave out and numbness crept in.
“No… please no.”
Tears blinded him.
“Nox…”
Sorrow leaked from behind his clenched teeth in a high-pitched whine.
“No… no…”
The last bit of fire in the Anubis’s eyes dulled, and its presence faded, ripping away Luca’s will to live.
* * *
Ties altered the resonance of a person.
They were never quiet.
They did not hide.
The subtleTanotibetween packmates or relatives, an Alpha and his pack, or a Cana and the people who protected him. Formed by time spent together and unwoven when apart too long.
Visrawere stronger, made through blood exchange, and initiated with a bite deep enough to puncture bone, expose the marrow, and leave a scar.
In the old days, before the Clan leaders banned meta-packs, it had been common for meta-pack leaders to use them as a show of dominance and strength. It let them follow their men into battle without ever being there. They’d know from a distance when one of them was dead but allowed them to keep their privacy and autonomy. Isaiah had never seen one between lower ranks. And Alphas avoided them to prevent favoritism.
Then there was theSajati.So rare, the knowledge about them was incomplete.
A unique tie because it was the choice of the wolf.
TheSajatiintertwined the life force so deeply that even death couldn’t break the bond.
Isaiah had no reason to believe aSajatiexisted between Luca and Nash. They were still individuals, each a separate source of energy.
No, no reason at all.