Kael's heart pounded like a war drum as he dragged Sienna through the dense underbrush, his fingers locked around her wrist. Each breath was a struggle, his ribs aching from the blows he had already taken. Darius was ahead, his footsteps uneven as he clutched his side, blood seeping through his shirt.
"We're close to the river," Darius rasped, glancing over his shoulder. "If we make it.."
A sharp whistle sliced through the air.
Kael barely had time to react before something heavy slammed into him from behind, knocking him off his feet. His body crashed into the damp earth, the impact rattling his bones. Sienna's startled scream rang through the trees as she tumbled forward, landing hard on her hands and knees.
Kael spat dirt from his mouth and forced himself up, his vision tilting as pain flared across his ribs. His stomach twisted when he saw the figure standing between them.
Elias.
