Misery’s eyes darted to the tunnel’s entrance. “What could scare Cassian’s wolves enough to run?” she asked, her tone low and uncertain.
Before anyone could answer, the shadows around them began to shift, coalescing into forms that defied natural movement. From the darkness, the Shadowbound emerged. Their glowing eyes burned like molten fire, and their twisted, ethereal forms radiated an aura of pure malevolence. Their presence was unnatural, a blight upon the already darkened forest.
Misery’s blade was in her hand instantly, her stance ready for battle. “This just got a lot worse.”
The Shadowbound moved in eerie unison, their steps soundless as they approached. Adrian, despite his injuries, snarled and bared his fangs. “If you have a plan, now’s the time.”
Eryon’s claws extended, his amber eyes blazing as he faced the advancing threat. “We stand together. Don’t let them separate us.”
The first Shadowbound lunged, its movements unnaturally swift. Misery sidestepped just in time, slashing at its twisted body. Her blade connected, but the creature dissolved into shadow only to reform moments later, unscathed.
“They don’t die,” Misery hissed, frustration bleeding into her voice.
Eryon tore through another, his claws rending its form apart, but like the first, it reassembled, its glowing eyes locked onto him. “They’re bound to something,” he growled, his mind racing. “Destroy whatever’s controlling them!”
Adrian, though struggling to stay upright, lunged at one of the creatures, his fangs sinking into its neck. The creature screeched, its body flickering like a flame in the wind, but it didn’t fall.
The Shadowbound pressed their attack, forcing the trio into a tight circle. Misery’s movements grew more frantic as the creatures surrounded them. “We’re running out of options!” she shouted.
Eryon’s wolf instincts screamed at him to retreat, but there was nowhere to go. As the Shadowbound closed in, their glowing eyes flickering with malicious glee, a low, haunting whisper filled the air—a voice both seductive and chilling.
“You cannot escape.”
The words sent a chill down their spines, the oppressive darkness deepening as the Shadowbound moved in for the kill.