Chapter One

“Run!” a male screamed. My fear and desperation overrode the fatigue or exhaustion. I had to get away from the burning buildings before the King’s Guard showed up to investigate the fire growing behind me.

Snow Cat rose in me, asking if I needed her help. I gave myself to the spirit, allowing her to take over my movements. My energy renewed. As I blinked, a shade of pale blue tinted my line of sight. The Snow Cat was in control, and my body moved of its own volition.

I ran through the woods, my feet carrying me through a mess of trees and bushes. I leapt over a fallen log, then splashed in the cold water waiting on the other side. Ashes clung to my skin; the smell of smoke followed me. When I found a clearing, I slowed and debated whether to keep to the forest or take the chance through the meadow. Night was coming, so I thought the darkness would hide me, even in the open spaces. So, I ran through the clearing, reaching the forest on the other side.

I do not know how long I ran, but my body slowed, unable to keep up the break-neck pace. There was a small fire ahead of me as the cold, night air cooled the hot sweat on my skin. I shivered and slid to a stop to see who owned the flames.

A large Wood Elf dressed in leathers walked back toward his camp. His dark brown skin and black hair glistened in the flickering light. He stood near his fire, taller than me by over a foot. His thick arms muscles hinted at the rest of his stature. His cloak caught my attention: a wolf pelt that looked warmer than the tatters of clothes I wore.

The man did not know what hit him when I tackled him from behind, plunging him face first to the ground. I made a grab for the wolf pelt, but he swung his arm back, catching me in the cheek.

I threw myself off him. The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth.

He rolled onto his back, then stood up. “A City Elf?”

I crouched, waiting to pounce again. We circled each other, his hands in front of him, while I looked for a weak spot. When I thought I found one, I launched myself at him.

He feigned his weakness, catching me by my upper arms. He then turned and slammed my back into the nearest tree. I tried to kick him, but he smashed me into the tree again, knocking the breath from my lungs. I gasped for air, trying to get away from him. He held onto my arms, bruising my pale skin with the force of his strength. The Snow Cat’s rage erupted within me. I kicked him, my heel connected with his thigh, after he turned his body at the last second to prevent me from nailing him in the sensitive areas. He dropped me, backing away.

If I could not find a way to stay warm, then I was going to die. Both the Snow Cat and I knew it, so there was no chance of walking away without the pelt. After I landed on all fours, I launched myself at him again. He grabbed me, that pulled the two of us to the ground. The Elf used his feet to kick me over his head, and I crashed into a rock behind him. Tasting more blood in my mouth, I begged my body to get up, but my body refused. I slipped in the cold dirt, watching as he came closer. I tried to fight back, but darkness closed around me, my vision fading.