We bolted. Arrows whistled past my ear. Darius yanked me sideways as a spear buried itself where my head had been. We sprinted through the outer ring, wolves howling behind us. I drew my sword mid-stride and slashed at a guard who lunged from the shadows. Steel bit deep. Hot blood sprayed my face.
Darius shifted one arm and tore through two more attackers. Our gammas fought at our backs, buying seconds. My lungs screamed. Legs pumped harder. We hit the tree line and kept going, crashing through branches that whipped our skin raw. Howls rose in a chorus, closer than before.
We reached the creek bed and slid down the bank. Darius shoved me behind a fallen log and covered me with his body as the first pursuit wolves leaped overhead. I held my breath, heart hammering against his chest. Their paws thundered past. One paused, sniffing, then continued when a captain called them deeper into the woods.
