The Rising

by Terra Harmony

  Chapter Forty-One

  "Move!" shouts Kai, pushing Serena toward Cliff Beach.

  He is insistent, practically wrapping himself around her as she runs. She has just enough time to turn and shout. "Murphy!"

  Murphy thrusts his trident into the chest of a wolf. He looks up and nods. Whistling, first to his left then his right, he signals the other guards to move toward the beach.

  Feet pound against the ground in sync, the rhythm growing louder when Murphy joins in. They settle into a pace, Serena slightly ahead while Murphy and Kai flank her. She looks at Kai. His eyes ablaze with determination but his forehead is creased with worry. He still thinks she might give herself up.

  And I will, Serena tells herself. If we can't fight our way out of it together.

  Serena's toes sink into soft, moss-covered ground, then catch on tangled weeds. She trips, falling forward fast. Her outstretched hands catch her before her face hits rock. A whoosh of heavy air goes straight above her head. She looks up and the long hairs of a werewolf's underside brush her nose.

  Murphy and Kai turn to face their own attacking wolves. The trio are surrounded by a group of five. Serena gets to her feet, grasping her trident, holding it in front of her. Glancing to her left and right, she tries to mimic the powerful, confident stance of the King's Guard. Feet wide, shoulders squared, and trident at an angle. With a strong posture, her confidence grows.

  Kai and Murphy side step, shifting so they each face two wolves, leaving her with only one. Serena looks at her opponent. He is bigger than Liam in his wolf form, and his eyes keep flitting to the wolves on either side of him. He is following their lead and isn't nearly as confident.

  The dance begins. Kai bends, sending one wolf over the entire group with the stem of his trident. Murphy leaps forward, clashing with his opponent in midair. When they hit the ground, they are already tangled together in a ball of scales and fur.

  Serena has more time. Her wolf starts forward, as if he is about to lunge, but then pauses, circling her. She continues to wait, keeping on the balls of her feet. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see Murphy wrap his thick arms around one wolf's neck, using his trident as more leverage.

  Serena's wolf uses the distraction to his advantage. He leaps toward her, claws extended. His growl seems to stick in his throat, as if he doesn't really mean it. Serena lunges, spinning just out of reach of his paw. She puts all her momentum behind her trident, flattening out the tips and slamming down on the wolf's head as they pass each other. His jaw absorbs the impact of the ground, and his body follows. Disoriented and vulnerable, he struggles to get to his feet.

  Serena cannot bring herself to deliver another blow. She steps away, breathing hard, allowing the wolf the same hesitation he gave her. As she brings her trident to her side, another trident pierces through the back of her wolf's neck, pinning him to the earth.

  Serena bites down on her fist to keep from screaming, or gagging, or both. She looks up into Murphy's cold eyes.

  "He'd of done the same to you as soon as he had the chance," Murphy says.

  Serena shakes her head. "He did have the chance."

  Murphy isn't paying attention. He is already looking to the ocean. They are almost there, but the wolves are descending again. Murphy pulls an arrow from his quiver and nocks his bow.

  Serena puts a hand on his arm to stop him. "You aren't calling for reinforcements are you?" Her forehead crinkles with worry. If the King's Guard can't survive this, neither can the reinforcements.

  Murphy gestures to the blue ribbons hanging off the end of the arrow. "Just looking for some interference to give us an edge."

  He shoots, and the arrow flies out from the forest. There is nothing for the span of a breaker, and then a different kind of sound rips through the air. Serena steps back as a fish whizzes between the pair of them. She smiles up at Murphy.

  "Come on," he says.

  Before they can run again, another pair of wolves move to either side of the trio. Kai and Murphy lunge forward, Serena staggers back, frightened by the Undine's ferocity. The flurry of metal, prongs, fur, and fangs gives Serena no opportunity to step in and help.

  "Serena!"

  She freezes, then turns toward the familiar voice.