Ten

I spent three nights with Aspen and talking about him and his father. The fourth night, he had to do something and was only able to warn me about it that afternoon. He had to do so again the next seven nights and was finally able to do our little meetings. It was getting to our final few meetings when Roan and his friends made up their mind about helping Aspen and when I heard the answer, I was disappointed.

"You're not going?" I ask Roan.

"It's too dangerous. Besides, what if something happens here and I'm not here?"

"Nothing will happen!"

"We don't know that!" My brother sighs and runs his hands through his hair. "Zahra, you don't understand how much you mean to me."

"Yes I do, but Aspen needs you too!"

"How do you know it's not a trick?" he asks and I go silent. "How do you know he's not trying to get you to trust him, only to hurt you in the end?"

"I don't. But he has made no move on me."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because he promised."

Roan shook his head. "Because he can't, really. He knows he's in your head. He also knows his father will kill him if he kills you."

"But what if you're wrong?" I ask. "What if you don't help him and he continues to suffer?"

"I'm not taking the risk."

Upset, I storm out of his shelter and away from the village. No one comes after me, and I don't care. I continue walking until I find a good tree and burn it.

"What did that tree do to you?"

I spin and see a familiar face, but it's not Aspen's or anyone from the village. "Who are you?"

The man puts a hand to his heart. "I'm hurt!" His gray eyes do not look hurt at all, in fact, they're amused.

"I remember you from somewhere, but it's fuzzy."

He smiles. "Loki. I scared you and you shot fire for the first time, remember?"

My lips turn up. "You again?"

"Me again," Loki says and bows. "How are you, Zoe? And why were you taking your anger out on that tree?"

I sigh and said, "It's nothing. I just needed to let go a little."

"So, you hurt the tree?"

"Why do you care so much about the tree?"

Loki shrugs and comes closer. "Just to see you smile. Shall we walk and talk?"

We head farther into the forest and I tell him my real name. I tell him I can also turn invisible, but don't tell him about the summoning. I felt like that was something I wanted to keep between very few people for now. He tells me about his power...

"I don't believe you!" I say with a shocked expression.

Grinning, he nods. "Do you want to see?" I nod. He tells me to stay there as he goes behind a tree. I hear rustling then a giant wolf walks out. I gasp and stay still. He's all black and had a bushy tail. The top of his head reaches my chest, which was larger than a normal wolf I assumed.

He nuzzles me and I pet him behind the ears, then kneel to get a better look at him. "You're so beautiful!" I whisper. His tail thumps once in response. Laughing, I bury my hands in his fur and just revel in the warmth of him.

A few minutes later, I feel a rumble in his chest and look up. His gray eyes, which are usually bright, were narrowed and focused on something behind me. I turn my head and see someone I didn't know. He was tall, had long, shoulder-length blond hair and a knife in one hand. His eyes were electric blue and his smile felt malicious. I stand and grab my own knife. The man laughs. "That's not going to help you, I'm afraid."

"Who are you?" I ask, dismissing his words.

His eyes glint as he steps forward. "My name is Lucas."

Loki growls louder beside me and I rest a hand on his back to calm him, but he ignores me. Instead, I step in front of him and face Lucas. "He has nothing to do with this. You're after me."

"My dear, we both know he's going to protect you," he sneers and I see his eyes turn almost white.

I turn my head and body towards Loki. "Go! Find my brother in the village! Tell him what's happening! Go, please!"

Loki whines and nuzzles me again.

I shake my head. "Go! This was bound to happen eventually. Please, go."

Loki licks my cheek, nuzzles my chin, then takes off. I stand up and turn to Lucas. He is watching me warily. "You're not going to run?"

"What's the point?"

He smiles. "It's fun!"

I walk up to him and drop my knife to the ground. "I surrender. I won't fight you. I won't run from you."

Lucas seems surprised all over again, but then turns on his heel and starts walking. I run to catch up, leaving my knife in the grass in hopes Loki or Roan can use it to track me down.

We walk for a few minutes before he finally speaks. "Why are you being so easy?"

"I know when I am facing a losing battle. Your son is much like you in that he is strong and scary, but he wasn't smart enough."

"And that's how you messed him up so badly?" he said. I nod. Lucas hums to himself.

I didn't see it coming. Before I could react, he had my arm in his hands and twisted so far, it snapped. I screamed and fell to my knees before him, pain flaring up and down my arm.

Lucas made me look at him, his fingers digging into my chin. "If you thought surrendering to me would stop me from doing what I wish, you're wrong."

I glared at him through my tears. "Then keep going!"

His lips curled into a sneer and he drew his knife to press it against my stomach. "Don't test me, Zahra. You're not going to be killed, but you will endure as much pain as I think is necessary."

I spit in his face and he slapped me. I only had time to stand before Lucas stabbed me in the side and twisted the knife. I screamed again, louder this time. I hadn't thought out my plan to make him angry. I hadn't thought about dying due to blood loss. I didn't think he would actually do it. I just hoped Finx could hear me.

Lucas pulled out some rope and pulled my hands behind my back, making me scream again. He tied them together tightly, then whistled. I look up at the sound of footsteps and see Aspen walking up with a horse. I could see he was pained to see me, but also the control his father had on him. "No need to stand so far, Aspen. Her hands are confined," Lucas taunted, and yanked the rope backwards so I fell. "Let's go!"