She ran.
Self-preservation was something Cinder had grown up upon ever since Darkwater Rapids had flooded. At best a narcissist, Cinder had never cared before who she had to trample to get her way, and how many hearts she had to break along the way. Now, as her slender limbs propelled her forward, the girl’s heart hammered in her chest and all she could think of was getting them away from Quil.
Away from her family.
She could hear them behind her – practically smell the breath of them as it seemed to cascade around her like smoke. It choked her, and she felt her throat tight and raw. The Marsh was humid, despite the season. Her paws squelched across the wet grass, and it slowed her significantly.
Significantly enough that she felt a sudden shock of pain as jaws clamped upon her tail and tugged harshly. She skidded, a sharp yelp piercing the air as another set of jaws was upon her flank. They consumed her – she could feel her flesh being torn, and the sharp pain that seared her, but she could not truly grasp what was happening.
All she knew was that he had found her – and his comrades would not let her go so easily this time.
She was pushed upward, pulled to her feet as her eyes squeezed shut, a gasp escaping her as pain shot through her. Had they broken something? She could not tell. A silver wolf gripped her ear – such a controlled grip that she knew if she struggled against him, he would tear it off.
Without word – the battered Attaya went with her captors.
The sun, upon setting, would not find Cinder Attaya within Relic Lore. All that was left behind was a trail of blood, that would soon fade.. and become untraceable.
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