The Tiger Within

"Trust me you don"t want to do that, Lalia . Come on . " Kyera ordered firmly taking the fear struck girl toward the nearest tent .

"Are the other guards gathering the horses?" Lalia asked noticing no one was guarding the tents . Kyera didn"t answer, she felt squeezing inside . The smell of blood and Wolf hide met her nose before Lazren walked toward her .

"No Princess . Thank G.o.d you have Lalia . Kan is with the other two girls but paddock . He and Cora killed three a.s.sa.s.sins that were sent to keep watch . We need to move, now . " Lazren ordered and Kyera nodded changing course for the tie up area .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"a.s.sa.s.sins? Brom and the others…are they dead?" Lalia asked and Kyera nodded .

"Yes . It looks like most the bodies were cold . Brom was the last kill . They slaughtered anyone not royal in camp . Thankfully Cora and I were inside with the Princess and Kan was on guard . Even the Dark Ones fear The Betrayer . " Lazren replied honestly relieved . Kyera took a deep breath and regretted it . Unlike Lalia, she could clearly smell the death and decay of the murdered innocents . Thankfully, she kept her own close .

"Lalia come on . I can see the other Princesses . " Kyera tugged her gently to their side . Melania was dressed in her night clothes, her gown, hands and hair coated in red in the moonlight . She looked messy, with tears in her eyes . Feya looked spooked, pale as death and her eyes filled with fear .

"Your alive . We thought you both were dead . If you dont mount up we will be . " Kyera replied but then she froze . The horses were not there . It was just the girls .

"They freed the horses . Kyera what do we do . We can"t outrun them on foot . Kan can only carry one . " Cora pointed out and Kyera looked at the three trembling princesses who were realizing the situation at hand . There were no options, they were going to die here in their minds .

"Forest Princess… you, me, and Lazren could do it . " Kan whispered and Kyera looked at him . He was right . It was a damable solution and against so many laws .

"I can"t…" Kyera began but then the wind swirled around her the scent of fire filled her nose . She sensed the pyre and remembered the spirit"s words .

"Queen Kyera . " Kan replied and Kyera frowned deeply . There was no other choice .

"Lalia you"re with me, Melania you"re with Lazren, and Feya get on Kan . " Kyera ordered and Feya didn"t hesitate to climb on . Once she was ready Kyera glanced at the other two girls and changed form .

In shock and horror the three Princesses watched as the fourth shifted shape . Soon a white Tigress with white fur and silver stripes stood before them . Though the body was unfamiliar, the eyes were the same golden hue they remembered . Lazren stood in wolf form at her side . "Get on, no time to argue . NOW . " Kyera demanded as the shadows gathered her things into a pack and Cora picked it up . Heart string and her clothing now nested on Cora"s back .

Lalia only hesitated for a moment before climbing onto Kyera while Melania climbed onto Lazren . The wolf adjusted under her weight, mindful of her nervousness .

"Do not stop till the portal and be sure I go through first… I have a portal key . " Kyera warned them as they rushed in the direction of the portal . Her long strides were quick and focused, pounding silently through the gra.s.s . She could smell the flowers getting stronger… they were close .

"They are moving faster . " Kan cried from the rear . He could sense it best . Kyera nodded .

"There must have been a fourth a.s.sa.s.sin . If we don"t make the portal we will die . " Kyera reminded them and redoubled her efforts even as her muscles and bones screamed in protest . Adrenaline coursed through her veins as she fought to move faster . Lazren was hot on her heels beside him, Cora ran leaping and bounding over rocks and off trees to stay up with them .

"What happens if we don"t make it through?" Feya screamed and Kyera sighed . She couldn"t answer that . It could not happen . She would not allow that to happen . She would not lose these girls to those monsters too .