Free Feudlings in Sight by Wendy Knight Page A

monster didn’t chase those that fled. Instead, he slowed, hands dropping to his side. The hooded, shrouded figure’s head dropped to its chest as if suddenly overwhelmed by exhaustion. “I won’t hurt you,” he said to the Edrens cowering nearby. Without another word, he turned and dissolved into the night.
    “Hunter?” Shane launched himself out of the shadows, nearly tackling Hunter in a bear hug. His tux was dirty and had burned patches, and his face was covered in ash.
    “What are you doing here? Do you know how dangerous this is? The Edren Prodigy was right there .” Hunter jabbed the air furiously, trying to yell and whisper all at the same time.
    “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t looking for you, you idiot,” Shane snarled back. “What were you thinking? And you call me stupid.”
    Shane’s words died in his throat. His metallic eyes, glinting in the darkness, widened in fear. He wasn’t a war-hardened soldier, like the others. But the battle is over, isn’t it?
    No. It wasn’t.
    Hunter saw the shadows dancing on Shane’s face and turned slowly. The Edren Prodigy materialized like a wraith and stood mere feet away, fire dancing in his palms. “Go home.” The voice was disconnected and cold. Hunter’s blood roiled and screamed. He was meant to fight this demon. He was meant to protect Shane, and without thinking, he moved in front of his best friend.
    The Edren Prodigy sighed, slowly tracing the lirik into the night air. Neither Hunter or Shane even knew how to do a lirik yet. “Go home and you don’t have to die tonight. You’re just stupid kids. This isn’t your fight.”
    Hunter pushed Shane backward, keeping his eyes on the monster in front of them. The spell burned bright, but hadn’t been pushed yet. What is he waiting for?
    An inhuman scream shattered the scalded air as a creature rocketed off the gigantic boulder Hunter had been leaning against. It landed hard on the Edren Prodigy, knocking him to the ground. “Go! Run! Go go!” Charity screamed, rolling over and over, a tangle of ancient cloak and gauzy silk skirts.
    Hunter ran. He barreled toward them, scooping Charity up in a tearing of fabric. Holding her tight against his chest, he leaped over the Prodigy and raced after Shane, who had his phone to his ear and a saldepement already burning in front of him.
    The doorway shimmered open and Hunter didn’t hesitate, diving through, tackling Shane as he went. He expected the lirik to hit him in the back and it was okay because Charity was in front of him, she was safe, but the doorway snapped shut and they were all alive.
    They tumbled into the dark room, lying in a heap on soft carpet.
    “You… you saved us,” Hunter said, his knuckle brushing against the bruise already forming on her pale cheek as they lay tangled on the floor.
    “Of course she saved us. She always saves us. Get off me.” Shane pushed at Hunter but Charity only blinked at him, big silver eyes wide and terrified.
    “You did it, Charity,” he whispered. “It’s okay. We’re okay now.”
    “Not all of us. Get your heavy self off me, Hunter. So I can heal her.”
    Heal her? Hunter’s heart stopped and he frantically searched her for injuries. No obvious broken bones, and Charity was still breathing. Was she bleeding?
    “It’s just a few bruises, Shane. I’ll be fine,” she said quietly.
    Hunter felt the presence in the room before he saw it, tensing as he rolled protectively in front of Charity. Michael stood silently in the doorway, watching them.
    Shane acknowledged him the same time Hunter did. “We almost died tonight. Thanks for answering your phone, Michael.” He slithered out from under Hunter and Charity, giving them both a dirty look before he rose to his feet.
    “Dad. I’m your dad, Shane. And I will always answer.”
    ****
    Hunter and Charity sat on the leather couches, waiting while Shane and his father talked quietly in the kitchen. Soft music from the stereo across the room drowned