Testing Fate (12 page)

It was almost smooth sailing until I took the second successive right and came face to face with my next obstacle. Heaped across the path lay branches and twisted vines, high enough that I’d need to climb over them before continuing. There was no space to squeeze through, only up and over.

Letting out a breath, I approached the interfering thicket and took a good grip only to instantly shrink back. Concealed within the blockade were sharp, pointed thorns and my hands stung from being pierced.

It couldn’t be simple,
I muttered after sucking on a throbbing finger, the coppery taste of my blood filling my mouth. Retreating, I scanned for any place I could minimize being hurt and found nothing. What I’d assumed were small twigs were actually thorns of all sizes. There was no way to cross over without some serious pain.

I contemplated scaling the hedge wall again. I didn’t want to purposely inflict harm on myself if there was another option. Then, another problem revealed itself. Although I hadn’t heard another howl, there was some doubt that my blood would attract the beast. Not wanting to add more obstacles to the situation, I prepared for another climb. But it appeared the Fates had other plans.

There was no mistaking the telltale jab from another thorn. The once easy and usable route was no longer a valid choice—now the hedges were as hostile as the path obstruction.

Just move quickly and don’t stop no matter how much it hurts,
I coached myself, trying not to focus on the thorns. I rubbed my bare arms and vowed I wouldn’t complete any more tests without wearing a jacket or better protection.
Don’t think about it, just act
. I stared at the task again.

I faltered. No part of me wanted to do this and my mind rebelled. I willed my body to move. The first step was hard and somewhat jerky. Digging deep and mustering all the courage I could, I briefly closed my eyes and dedicated myself to the job. This wasn’t going to stop me from succeeding.

I tried ripping the bottom of my shirt off. It should’ve come away in strips but without the extra power from my wolf, I was at half my strength. Using my teeth, I tugged, hoping for at least a little give in the fabric. I wanted to wrap it around my hands for protection, minimizing the exposed area.

Glancing around, I cautiously plucked a thorn from the hedge and dragged it across the cloth, back and forth repeatedly, until I was rewarded with a hole. I made quick work in tearing away lengths and bound my hands. I was ready.

Refusing to dwell on the pain, I began climbing. Scratches, long scrapes that burned as the air hit it, rapidly covered my exposed skin. It didn’t help when my footing slipped, and caused me to topple forward and fall face first into the branches. Tears sprung as I winced. Trickles of warm blood slid down my injured cheek, but I ignored it all. I couldn’t stop.

It felt like a lifetime when I finally reached the other side. The thicket had been more perilous than I’d estimated, but giddy euphoria swept through me as my feet hit solid ground.

“You did it!” I cheered, my voice loud in the stillness. My fingers gingerly pressed against my cheekbone and came away red. There was no way of knowing exactly how badly the undertaking had battered my body, but my arms had weathered the brunt of it. Crisscross stripes painted a painful pattern on my skin. Releasing my hands from their confinement, I used the scraps of my shirt to wipe away the red droplets that had pooled. Adrenaline pushed the discomfort into the background.

A loud howl broke the quiet, a baying hunger. It was also close, much closer than before.

I couldn’t waste any more precious time. Tossing the soiled material strips over the hedge, I started jogging, praying that my decoy would distract the beast long enough for me to reach the epicenter and finish the test. I’d spent too much time already and I was eager to return to Devlin.

My feet pounded the ground as I kept a steady pace. The layout was still fresh in my mind and I trusted my instincts, pushing the panic down and away. There was only one other sound I listened for. Judging from the heavy thumping, the beast had locked onto my scent and was zeroing in for the kill.

Its anger was recognizable by the blood curdling yowl. There was thrashing behind me, the echo of branches being torn apart in rage. I had no idea how big the creature was, but there was no way I was going to hang around to find out. One more shriek resonated through me and then everything went silent—dead quiet. The swift change in the atmosphere was eerie.

My body went on high alert. Wolf or no wolf, there was no escaping the danger that now drenched the situation. Turn after turn, I ran for small stretches, each step winding me into the maze. I couldn’t tell how close I was, but I stuck with my plan. There had to be an end.

Coming around a blind corner, I didn’t see the large rock until too late. My shoe snagged on it, sending me flying with only my hands to break my fall. I came to a crashing halt with a cry, my skin badly grazed and bleeding again. Dirt and small gravel dug into my palms. My body ached from the jarring impact.

“
Ugh!”
I cursed, scrambling to my feet. I kicked at the offending stone and wished I was back in the suite, running a hot bath to soothe my new aches and pain. I was tempted to call out for Lakhesis to stop the test. I was getting tired and my stomach was growling, my ability to keep focused and committed waning.

You’re not a quitter, Darcy Matthews, so just suck it up. Dust yourself off and continue
, I scolded myself.
You don’t have to remember why you’re fighting so hard. Just know it’s worth it.

I gingerly wiped my hands, brushing the debris off on my pants. I wasn’t bleeding too badly and something told me it wasn’t going to be much longer. Looking around to regain my bearings again, a movement caught my attention, shocking me.

The hedges were moving, openings sealing and revealing different pathways. All this time I’d thought I was following a system, a concrete layout, and now it looked like it was more a fool’s errand. Nothing was as it seemed.

Don’t panic. Trust your instincts. When all else fails, go with what your gut says
. Closing my eyes, I slowed my breathing and tried grounding myself. Slowly my thoughts stopped swirling and my heartbeat eased. Determination surged through me as I began jogging again.

I ignored the fading light. I dismissed the ominous shadows that clung to the corners. I hadn’t heard the beast again, but I made sure to remain vigilant for any telltale sign it was approaching.

The shadows became more and more persistent in reducing me to terror. Leaving their stations, they ventured away from the corners, blatantly charging at me. Ghostly appendages swept out to touch me, tugging on my hair and clothing. I didn’t stop, although I want to shrink away. When they banded together to block my passage, I ran through them, the icy cold feeling coating my skin and leaving me gasping for air.

“You can’t stop me!” I screamed, not wanting to look back.

Finally, I made a turn and found an opening two hundred yards away that emitted a soft glow. It was like the welcoming beacon of safety, the promise of a home cooked meal to the weary traveler. Everything fell away—panic, fear, exhaustion. I’d done it. I’d found the middle and all I needed to do was reach it. Just a few more steps and I’d be finished.

“Nooooooo!” I sobbed as I watched the hedges begin moving, the gentle light fading away. I tried running faster but everything felt like it was in slow motion. The harder I pushed myself forward, the further away it became. I wasn’t going to make it.

“Please, don’t do this. I’m so close!” I begged to whoever was listening. The low swish of the opening and shutting sounded like rolling thunder in my ears. Time sped up and I crashed against the wall, pounding my fists against it, not caring about the thorns. So close, yet so far.

A snarl broke through my frustration. Turning around, a large dark form stood and watched me. Menace rolled off it in waves and I realized the beast had finally caught up with me. I took an escaping step backward and felt the resisting surface of the hedge. The creature growled. Sweat trickled down my back. I was trapped.

Neither one of us moved, the tension so thick it was almost palpable. Swallowing was difficult, as my throat dried and nervousness caused my hands to tremble. I didn’t take my eyes away from it—not wanting to blink in case it made its move and I was unprepared. I scanned its form, trying to determine exactly what it was. It was large, solid and stood on four legs, but the darkness kept it cleverly cloaked.

It placed a leg forward as if to step. With the fading light, I could barely distinguish what looked like a furred paw. When it placed it firmly on the ground, shifting its weight to move another, it lowered its head and I caught a glimpse of its eyes flashing. The beast was still too far away, but there was no mistaking its evaluation. It studied me in the same way, looking for strengths and weaknesses.

It paused and I heard the loud sniff as it tested the air. More growls followed and it took another step closer, obviously attracted to whatever it smelled.

My blood. It smells my blood
, I thought. I quickly rubbed at the thin lines of dried blood. The flakes fell and it definitely caused a reaction. The beast briefly stopped, swaying from side to side as if deciding what the next course of action would be.

Please don’t charge, please don’t charge
, I inwardly chanted. Careful not to make any noise or sudden movement, I eased my hands down to my side and around my body. If the creature was going to attack, I needed some kind of weapon. It may not be ideal but the thorns pricking my fingers might do the trick—at least enough to stun it, so I could climb the hedge and call for help.

Just as I tried snapping off the first thorn, the creature snarled low. I froze on the spot and willed it to keep its distance. It almost sounded like a gun shot when the thorn broke away in my hand, my hearing hyper sensitive. I would need to have lightning fast reflexes to make this work. One good jab in the eyes would hopefully blind it.

Armed, I stared again at whatever was still hidden in the shadows. This thing wouldn’t get the best of me. It wouldn’t rob me of my victory. All I needed was a chance or I’d die trying.

Whether it was a break in the clouds or just luck, the darkness shifted and caused extra light to filter in, revealing more of my attacker. I could see it was an animal, and when it took its predatory step closer, I gasped. I knew exactly what I was facing now.

A wolf.

As it fully emerged from concealment where I could fully see it, I gasped a second time.

This wasn’t just any wolf. It was my wolf—the beautiful creature whose spirit resided in me. I didn’t know what kind of magic this was, but I was staring at the very creature that brought me power, fulfillment, and joy.

I kept still as she stalked toward me. She was bigger, much bigger than she appeared when we changed. There was a hard set to her eyes, intelligence blazing from their depths along with aggression. Paired together, our natures balanced each other, my humanity with her wildness. Separated, I didn’t know if I could reach her.

Devlin’s words from yesterday came back to me, reminding me to be in the moment. I needed to let everything else wash away—doubt, confusion, any form of perceived hostility. I couldn’t appear a threat to her and I dropped the thorn. Facing my palms toward her, I lowered my gaze, tilting my head forward in submission.

Hearing her approach, I steadied my heart rate and a surreal calmness washed over me. There was no need to be afraid. She knew me and I knew her. Even though this was a bizarre test, ultimately there was trust between us and it would trump whatever she was feeling. I focused on that trust, stripping everything else away until finally she was right before me, her snout inches away from my face.

My heart soared being so close to her. My hands itched to bury themselves into her soft, thick fur. I wanted to hug her, tell her how much I missed her being a part of me, that I was sorry she was alone.

I did none of that. Instead I remained painfully still, allowing her to make the first move of acceptance. It seemed like forever passed as we stood like statues. She bumped me with her nose, testing me. Next she sniffed at my arms, the remnants of blood still attracting her. I didn’t flinch as her rough tongue licked my skin, the cuts stinging. I kept myself open to her inspection.

A soft whimper and the relaxing of her body told me I could look up. Gone was the aggressive beast that had terrified me. Instead my beloved friend and protector sat on her haunches and I threw my arms around her neck, burying my face into her fur.

“I miss you,” I whispered and she nodded. The last few hours had really driven that realization home for me. Not being able to feel her or draw on her strength had been an eye opening and I was determined to never take her for granted again. “Hopefully I’ll be done with the trial soon and we’ll be reunited for good.”

My wolf pulled back and I lovingly stroked the side of her face. I couldn’t believe how I’d mistaken her for some savage creature. She seemed to understand my heart and she lifted her paw, resting it on my shoulder.

“Will you walk with me the rest of the way? I need to complete this task,” I asked.

She slanted her head to the right and dropping her leg, nudged at something behind me. The hedges began to tremble before slowly sliding open to reveal the center of the maze. Nudging me into action, I crossed over the now empty space into a well groomed garden.

I turned to thank her but she’d disappeared. I was alone, again.

Chapter Twelve

“Congratulations, you’ve successfully completed the second test.” I jumped as Lakhesis spoke. She stepped away from a fragrant rose bush, her hand gracefully trailing over the petals as she left. “Not many would’ve had the courage you showed. Especially not at the end.”

“Is it the same for everyone?” I queried, gazing back where I’d come.