Harper’s POV
A loud roar, sharper and scarier than anything I’ve ever heard, tears through the forest.
My foot snags on a root, and I tumble forward. Dirt knocks up beneath my feet, hitting me in the face as I hit the ground. Burning pain sears across my palms and knees, making me gasp.
Erie circles me, nudging me up.
My heart hammers, and I look over my shoulder. I can’t see through the darkness, but whatever Lucas told me to run from is back there. Lucas is back there, and he’s going to fight it. I know he is. It’s why he didn’t run with me.
Panic and dread tighten like a fist around my lungs as I push myself back to my feet.
Again, he’s risking his life to protect me. Just like he promised.
This time, I don’t want to run. I want to turn back, to help him, to make sure he’s
