Chapter 111

I rushed toward the way I'd come in through the back. Ronin fought me every step of the way, her little jaw snapping at my chin. I hardly noticed when her fangs scraped flesh because footsteps crunched toward the tent.

One by one, my nerves snapped. My heartbeat stalled. I couldn't contain Ronin and shoot an arrow at the same time, but we had to get out. I'd promised, and I would not fail.

I searched for the right fur along the tent wall to fold back with my free hand. The footsteps drew closer, but if we got out and ran and vanished behind the snowflakes, we'd -

We wouldn't make it. I'd failed.

The front tent flap lifted, and there stood Faust. Licking flames outlined him like a nightmare given wings and glittered over the gun at his side.

I backed up to the rear of the tent, my eyes burning from smoke and tears, and the crushing weight of defeat nearly curled me to my knees.