Page 5 of Their Fierce Little Monster

The boar’s momentum carries it past me before it crashes into the dead leaves and twigs on the path. It twitches twice, then its head flops down and doesn’t move.

Kazak’s on his feet, blade in hand, staring at the carcass.

“Oh, shit,” I murmur. “Isn’t that a mountain boar?”

His gaze remains on the woods surrounding us, while I’m still shaking.

“You all right?” He’s at my side, taking my hand and drawing me back on the track. Then he wipes the blood from his blade on the boar’s hide. “It definitely is a mountain boar, and they don’t travel alone. We need to move now!” He grasps my elbow, and we run, my chest squeezing with each inhale.

He glances over his shoulder, and fear turns my stomach. “I’ve got you,” he keeps saying, except out here I feel exposed and vulnerable.

By the time we leave the woods, we emerge into a clearing that leads to the front gates of our village up ahead. They’re over twenty feet high, with matching wooden walls spreading out on either side, jagged on top to avoid anything easily crawling over them.

I drag in each breath, but Kazak hasn’t slowed. We’re still racing.

“Thank the Gods you came to find me,” I gasp between breaths.

“I always look out for you,” he answers, and we reach the entry to the village in no time.

Kazak lifts his gaze to the nearest tower, calling out, “Open up and get her inside now!”

“Everything all right?” the guard up there asks.

“Do as I damn say,” Kazak growls, and in seconds the lofty metal gates draw open. They groan, taking their time. He’s tense, and I feel it radiating off him.

In no time, we’re greeted by two additional guards at the open gates, and Kazak drags me into the village by an arm, his sights set on the men with knives and crossbows. “We encountered a mountain boar very close to the village.”

“One party hasn’t returned,” a guard mutters, his face blanching.

“Then we go out to find them,” Kazak commands. “Call for backup.”

“You think there are more mountain boars?” he gasps.

“The beasts travel in packs and can cause serious harm, especially to our walls if they get too close,” Kazak explains, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

Then he glances my way, seeming to remember I’m standing by his side. “Go straight home, Dawn. Everything will be okay.” Then he rushes back toward the woods without a word. One of the guards jogs after him.

My chest twists, and I stare at him vanishing into the forest.

The gates close quickly behind them, and I’m struggling for breath. Normally, my confidence keeps going through any situation, but all my bravery vanishes at how close to death I came today. And Kazak’s going back out there.

I spin on my heels and rush deeper into town, making my way home. I gnaw on the inside of my cheek, hoping Kazak finds the party safely. He rarely shows me his fear, and now it shudders awake in my chest.

Before me, the village opens up, with the river running through the middle of it. Four arched bridges cross it in the distance, flanked by stone houses with slate roofs. Narrow lanes dart in every direction, leading to more homes, and the blue-gray Carpathian Mountains rise like giants in the distance.

Farther to my right, the paths spear out to the farm district. At the corner, I spy Viscount Rylan, the man who leads our village and reports directly to the Moonstone family.

Ours is one of the largest villages in this region, and he runs the place ruthlessly, anything to please the Moonstone family. He frequently rewards the Barons who report to him for doing his dirty work, from enforcing curfews, to dragging people for punishment, to searching homes, to forcing anyone into whatever labor is required.

And right now, the man is staring in my direction, long, pale blond hair behind his ears, the Moonstone crest of dual moons and glinting spears at his collar. One of the Barons leans toward him, whispering something, both of them watching me.

My gut tightens.

I lower my head and hurry away as the cut on my hand throbs beneath the cloth. There’s no denying I’m different from others in the village, which is why most keep their distance from me. But the rest of me is normal.

And I’m certain the Viscount has heard the rumors, which terrifies me.

Because nothing good ever comes from having his attention.