Silver Oath
Birds scattered from the branches, and a low, rolling growl rippled through the undergrowth.
Elira was on her feet instantly, bow drawn despite the pain it cost her. “They followed.”
Kaelen’s heart lurched. “The vampires?”
“No.” Her voice dropped to a tense whisper. “Worse.”
From between the trees, shapes emerged—hulking figures with fur matted and eyes glowing silver. Their bodies shifted unnaturally, somewhere between wolf and man, claws digging furrows into the soil. One raised its head to the dawn and howled, the sound tearing through Kaelen’s bones.