Chapter 27. Hybrids

CYRAN

The trail is fresh, so I have little difficulty following them steadily downhill. I pay attention to the sounds of the forest, stealthily moving along the shadows of the trees. Deja vu, and I’m back in Halden woods, hunting for game, being attacked by a wolven that ironically, I am now tracking.

I stop suddenly. The tracks have gone cold, and I can’t see much anywhere from here. I scout a little, sweeping the place in an arc, but I don’t find anything. I’m about to keep heading forward, when a hand falls on my shoulder and heaves me up into the branches of the oak tree.

I’m face to face with Gylen in human form, but he places a finger to his lips and then stares pointedly into the distance. I follow his gaze with dread and there are two wolves.

They are the largest beasts I’ve seen, but there’s something else about them as well. I can’t place it, but I’m not going to check it out this time. Gylen is unnaturally still as the wolves stalk closer, sniffing