Page 126 of Ignite
I know that fur. Iknowthose familiar oversized paws and how soft the spot is just below his snout.
“Dog?” I breathe.
My chest tightens as brilliant crystal blue eyes snap up to me.
More memories crash into me. Training in the camp withDog by my side, floppy ears and a lolling tongue waiting for me on the porch each morning.
Dog stops thrashing, but his teeth stay attached to Michael—who’s already passed out. Or dead. I can’t be too sure.
Those beautiful eyes stare at me, and a small whimper comes from the back of his throat. Itishim. And he’s currently trying to rip the head off of the guard that was about to attack me.
A soldier pushes past me, sword raised.
“Stop!” I scream, flinging my arm out.
The man shoves me aside—orattemptsto, because the moment his hand connects to my arm, a toe-curling growl stops him. I don’t have to look, because I already know what I’m going to find standing in front of us.
Color drains from the soldier’s face as his gaze lowers to where I know Dog is waiting. A terrifying sight from what I imagine, with blood dripping from his jaw and his powerful legs bent in preparation to jump.
My mouth winds into a smirk.
“I think it would be best if you removed your hand, soldier,” Graylen growls. “Unless you want to be next.”
In the blink of an eye, the man releases me and stumbles backward.
Something wet and cold tickles the back of my hand, and I turn to find Dog licking it. His mouth is covered in Michael’s blood, smearing a mixture of it and saliva across my skin.
But I don’t care, not when one of my last friends in Crea is standing in front of me.
Fifty-Two
Peridot
My fingers meet soft,plush fur as I run my hands along the top of Dog’s head.
“Incredible,” Graylen murmurs, awe filling his voice.
I crouch down to pet Dog, tears welling in my eyes even as the metallic stench of blood wafts off of his breath. Graylen bends down too as the guards rush past us to help Michael, who’s still either out cold or dead.
“What do you mean?” I ask Graylen, turning to meet his gaze.
The corners of his mouth kick up. “Do you know this creature?” he asks instead of answering my question. “It certainly knows you.”
I huff a laugh, my hand ruffling Dog’s head. Other than Opal and Linnick, he was all I had. When Opal wanted to sleep in rather than train, Dog was there. On the evenings rain wouldpour from the sky, and I knew Opal wouldn’t join me in the ring, Dog was there.
Right by my side. Always.
“He was in the camp with me. He was supposed to be one of the war dogs, but he never listened to anyone enough to train,” I whisper. “How did you find me, big guy?”
Graylen reaches out to smooth his palm down Dog’s back, drawing a small rumble of contentment from his chest.
“That’s because he isn’t a dog.” Graylen laughs, voice low to stop the others from overhearing. Though they seem to be quite preoccupied with tending to their fallen comrade. “He’s a dreadwolf.” A pause as he looks in wonder at Dog before adding, “Andyou, my friend, are supposed to be extinct.”
My head snaps to Graylen, eyes widening as I take his words in. “He’s awhat?” I half-shout.
The left side of Graylen’s mouth slants up. “Dreadwolves have been extinct for centuries, the kind of creatures that roamed the realm before humans even existed. They were familiars to the Talven fae, but died off not long after the Talven…disappeared.”
Dog whimpers, and my eyes drift back to him, his too-aware gaze set on Graylen as if listening to every word.
