Embers In The North
23

Reyna wasted no time.

She scrambled to her feet, the urgency in Roth’s voice spurring her into action. She stumbled out of the runner, greeted by a blinding flurry of snow. The wind howled, carrying with it a bone-chilling cold that pierced through her suit and Reyna gritted. Now she saw the snow already rolling down the mountain towards them and almost gasped. It was a big one and the wind preceding it had knocked the runner over, spinning it in a whirlwind down the path.

Roth marched towards the others as they readied their Shadowbeasts to run in the opposite direction. Unless they could outrun Ator, there was no way to avoid it. Plus, it would block their path and they would have to turn around yet again.

“Move quickly! Head for the clearing ahead!” Roth called out, his voice cutting through the howling wind as he pointed towards the path back to the Caderia border.

They followed his lead, pushing forward through the thick snow. The ground beneath them was unsteady, and Reyna could feel the tremors of the impending avalanche growing stronger. Panic gnawed at her, it’d been years since the frozen lake cracked. If any of them fell in it would not be good.

“We cannot go that way. The weight of our Shadowbeasts will cause the lake to give.” Reyna called, turning back to the mountain. “We need to go into the avalanche.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Seth roared at her. “It will bury us!”

“The lake will kill us within minutes,” Reyna shot back. “This is a trigger. It will set off all the surrounding hills.”

“We need to find shelter,” Roth said, scanning the surroundings for any signs of safety.

“There’s a cave not far from here. It should provide us with some cover.” Seth reined his Howler around. “Get on your Howler, we need to go!” he shouted to Reyna.

The wind howled around them, carrying with it the distant roar of the avalanche. What cave was he talking about around these paths? She summoned Ator and climbed on and they followed behind Seth. The avalanche was relentless, hot on their heels. Reyna gritted her teeth in determination as she slowed down, using her connection to the frost to hold it back as much as she could.

“Reyna, what are you doing?” Decker spun around, causing the others to follow suit.

“Don’t stop, for Odin’s sake! Keep going! I need to hold it back to give you a chance to outrun it. Go,” Reyna commanded, her tone sharp as she tapped into the power of the frost. With a surge of energy, she sent Ator charging forward into it.

“Part it down the middle.” She shouted to Ator as she planted her foot into the snow to ground herself. Then she closed her eyes, bracing to redirect it as it hit her.

She’d never gone head-to-head with an avalanche before, but it hit as hard as she imagined a floodgate would. It knocked her down, rolling along with it and Reyna struggled to regain her footing with the ice in her eyes and way.

With every ounce of determination, Reyna fought against the relentless force of the avalanche. She could feel the immense power of the snow and ice bearing down on her, threatening to overwhelm her.

Using her connection to the frost, she concentrated on redirecting the avalanche, channelling its energy away from her and the others. The sheer magnitude of its force was staggering, and Reyna strained against it, her muscles aching from the effort.

Her ears filled with the sound of the avalanche roaring around her, drowning out every other sound. Clenching her teeth, she anchored herself against it, sinking her feet into the ground, her body flaring Ember like a blazing beacon.

With a roar, she felt Ator’s power surge around her as her Shadowbeast raced in circles, warding off the relentless assault of the avalanche. It felt like an eternity, but gradually, the force subsided. The avalanche lost its momentum, the onslaught of snow and ice gradually lessening. Reyna drew a deep breath, summoning every last bit of strength to maintain her stance.

As the final remnants of the avalanche passed, she mustered her remaining energy to push herself up from the snow-covered ground. Her limbs were heavy, her body battered and exhausted. She leaned heavily against Ator, struggling to catch her breath.

Scanning the area, she spotted the others in the distance, approaching a cave she hadn’t noticed before. Gathering her strength, she climbed onto Ator and made her way slowly towards them, focused on regulating her breathing. Besides the crunch of Ator’s claws in the snow, she could hear the ominous rumble of another avalanche threatening to cascade down the hills.

It made sense to wait it out before moving on. The thought of facing another avalanche head-on was scary, and she wanted to avoid it as much as possible.

Reyna guided Ator carefully towards the cave where the others had sought refuge. The wind whipped around her, roaring with a warning. She could feel the biting cold settling deep into her bones, and could only imagine how it must be for the Redfalls and Decker.

Inside the cave, the air was cool and damp. As she entered, Roth hurried to her side and reached out to help her dismount. He didn’t allow her to protest, and with Ator’s assistance, he lifted her off.

“What were you thinking?” His voice echoed in her mind, concern, and relief in his furrowed brows as he settled her to sit against Ator.

“You did it, Luna. You stopped the avalanche,” Quinn exclaimed. “Odin’s grace.”

Reyna managed a weary smile, nodding in acknowledgment of his thanks.

“Your runner’s seen better days,” she told Roth. “I doubt it survived the avalanche.”

“It’s of no consequence,” Roth grumbled.

“Isn’t it? We might make it out of Frostcall looking like ice sculptures if we make it out,” Decker replied to Roth.

I enjoy it when you fret. Suits you.

Reyna said to Roth who growled playfully in response, looking at her arm. It was then that Reyna noticed she was clutching her right arm. He took her it gently, and she quickly released her grip, allowing him to stroke her arm.

“Have you injured yourself?” Seth’s voice cut through the moment, his eyes fixed on her.

Reyna saw the fierce glare Roth shot in his direction and gently placed her hand over his to put him at ease.

“She’s fine,” Roth spat. “Are you?” he asked her.

“Yes. My muscles are strained from withstanding the avalanche, but I’m fine,” Reyna replied, swallowing hard as she snuggled against Ator.

“We’re stuck here until the weather clears outside,” Decker stated looking around the damp space. “Well done, Reyna. What you did was reckless, but we could have been buried under it without you.”

Reyna met Decker’s gaze, her eyes sharp with warning. Decker’s grin in response unsettled her, his blue eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint.

“I suppose you’re used to going it alone? No one to answer to or be accountable to, so you’re not in the habit of sharing your intentions before diving head first into trouble,” Decker mused, tucking his hands beneath his cloak. “From the outside, it looks reckless. When we’re privy to it, it isn’t.”

“What you call reckless, we in the north call grit,” Seth chimed in, lowering himself onto an ice boulder away from the group. “But then again, Highthaw females were never so bold, or nearly as beautiful.”

Decker squarely faced Seth, and Reyna’s gaze shifted to Roth, who had his eyes fixed on her. It was clear that Seth was intent on stirring up trouble, and he made no effort to hide it. Although she didn’t know Decker very well, she knew he wouldn’t allow Seth to provoke him into a reaction.

“You just go around starting little fires, don’t you?” Decker confronted Seth. “You bring shame to the title of Alpha with your behavior. You’re not worthy of it.” His tone remained calm, with a hint of irritation in his voice.

“Seth, let’s talk,” Roth interjected, giving Reyna’s hand a gentle squeeze before stepping out of the cave.

Seth rose, his dark eyes narrowing at Reyna before he followed Roth outside. Reyna let out a slow breath, taking a moment to lean back against Ator’s sturdy frame. She could feel the chill that had settled deep into her bones, and she knew she needed to warm herself. With a deep breath, she stirred her Ember, coaxing a small fire to life in front of her.

Almost immediately, Decker, Gareth, and Quinn turned towards her, their eyes shifting between her and the warming flames. They slowly drew closer, seeking the warmth that the fire offered in the cold cave. They all gathered around the fire, their hands outstretched toward the dancing flames. The warmth was a welcome reprieve even she needed now.

Reyna couldn’t help but feel a sense of frustration. They could have been well on their way out of Frostcall by now if not for the damn avalanche. It almost felt as though the gods were conspiring against them, trying to keep them from reaching the conclave. But such thoughts were absurd. Weren’t they meant to enter the conclave because she was a hybrid? That was the prophecy, after all. Her gaze shifted to Decker in contemplation. He had inquired about her abilities before, and now she wondered if, as a hybrid, she possessed an additional power from the Greenpeak territory. Could it be the all-seeing ability?

“Something on your mind?” Decker’s voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she met his gaze, the flames reflecting in his piercing blue eyes.

“What would the Luna ability of Greenpeak be?” she asked.

“They are healers,” Gareth replied, surprising her with his response. “And you have my thanks for before, and for the fire to warm us,” he added, still avoiding direct eye contact.

Turning her attention back to Decker, he shrugged and offered a small smile. “The Luna accepts your gratitude,” he replied to Gareth. “Is there a particular reason why you’re interested in knowing about that?” he asked Reyna.

“Curiosity, I suppose.”

“Hmm.” Decker rose and moved to sit beside her. She watched him, her eyes drawn to his fiery red hair that cascaded around him. The urge to run her fingers through it was almost irresistible. “How’s the arm?”

“I’ll live,” she assured him, a smile gracing her lips. She couldn’t help but notice the small, knowing smile on his face, and it brought forth a light chuckle. “It’s your hair. It’s almost unreal.”

He grinned and ran a hand over his fiery red locks. “Thanks.” Decker leaned in to take her arm, and she flinched slightly at the unexpected contact. “Relax, I won’t hurt you.”

“I know, even if you tried,” she remarked.

He leaned in even closer, his piercing gaze locked with hers as if trying to test her resolve. Reyna held his gaze unyieldingly.

“You’re tougher than you look,” he whispered, his breath brushing against her skin.

“I have to be. Otherwise, pricks like you would slap me around,” she smirked, leaning in to meet his challenge, causing him to pull back slightly.

“Have you considered what we discussed?” Decker asked, shifting the conversation to a more serious tone.

Reyna paused. She hadn’t even considered it. Since all this happened, her heart had been set on Roth, and she hadn’t allowed herself to entertain the thoughts of anyone else. Yet, as she let herself consider it now, she couldn’t deny the allure of Decker’s presence. His captivating scent surrounded her like a spell, and a thought lingered in her mind: he could be a fantastic lover.

“Need a little nudge?” Decker’s voice was a tempting whisper, bringing her back to the present. Now all she could think of was what it would be like to kiss him.

As Decker leaned in closer, their faces inches apart, Reyna knew she needed to make a decision. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she summoned the strength to speak.

“Decker,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Their lips brushed ever so slightly, a breath away from a kiss.

He stopped, his eyes locked on hers, neither daring to move. In Decker’s gaze, she saw inquisition and longing. Slowly, he pulled away, his expression clouded with regret as he rose to stand.

“Alpha, here,” Quinn’s voice broke the silence, drawing their attention. Reyna turned to see Roth and Seth standing at the entrance.

She ran her fingers through her hair and curled up against Ator’s fur as Roth and Seth joined the others around the fire. Her thoughts returned to Decker, and she couldn’t shake the lingering question of what might have transpired if they had leaned in just a little closer.

Whatever this sudden surge of desire was, she needed it to go away. Her heart belonged to Roth, and she couldn’t allow herself to be distracted by fleeting emotions. She shifted her focus to the discussions around the fire, but there was none—only a silence that she didn’t quite care to be a part of.

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