Chapter 4: Pursued in the Night

The cold night air stung Mira's skin as she ran, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The damp forest floor crunched under her bare feet, twigs and stones biting into her soles with every desperate step. Pain screamed through her body, but she forced herself forward. Stopping meant death.

Behind her, the angry shouts of the slavers echoed through the trees, their torches bobbing like cursed fireflies in the darkness. They were too close. Too fast. If she and Nia didn't find a way to lose them soon, their brief taste of freedom would end in chains—or worse.

"Faster!" Mira hissed over her shoulder.

Nia was barely keeping up, her smaller frame trembling with exhaustion. Her silver tail bristled with fear, her golden eyes flickering in the dark as she panted. "I—I can't…!"

Mira clenched her teeth, frustration surging within her. The curse inside her twisted it into something darker. Weak. If she slows me down, I should leave her.

She shook her head, forcing the cruel thought away. No. Nia was hers. The curse made it undeniable. Letting her go was not an option.

"Just a little more," Mira growled, grabbing Nia's wrist and yanking her forward. "There's a ravine up ahead—we can lose them there."

A howl tore through the night air. Not from wolves—worse. The slavers had hunting hounds.

Mira's pulse spiked. "Shit."

They crashed through the underbrush, vines whipping against their skin, branches clawing at their faces. The sound of heavy paws and snapping jaws grew closer, the sharp barks of the beasts closing in.

Then, suddenly—

The ground vanished beneath them.

Mira barely managed to tighten her grip on Nia as they tumbled over the edge of the ravine, plummeting into the darkness. A shock of freezing water slammed into her body, knocking the air from her lungs.

The river.

Icy currents yanked her under. The weight of her soaked rags dragged her down, her limbs struggling against the force of the rushing water. Panic flared in her chest. She kicked wildly, breaking through the surface with a desperate gasp.

"Nia!"

A splash sounded nearby. Mira's eyes locked onto a flash of silver—Nia's ears, barely above the water.

Mira lunged, wrapping an arm around the girl's waist. Nia coughed and gasped for air, clinging to Mira with weak, trembling hands.

The river carried them swiftly downstream, the sounds of their pursuers fading behind them. Mira's arms ached, her energy draining, but she refused to let go.

They had to survive.

The water eventually spat them out onto a muddy riverbank, coughing and shaking from the cold. Mira rolled onto her back, staring up at the sky, her chest heaving.

They had escaped. For now.

A weak whimper made her turn her head. Nia lay curled up, her small frame shivering violently. Her silver fur, usually soft and pristine, was soaked and clinging to her skin.

Something ugly stirred in Mira's chest. She looks so fragile like this. Like something I have to protect.

Mira sat up, forcing her aching body to move. "We need to find shelter before they track us again."

Nia didn't respond. She was barely conscious, her breaths shallow.

Mira swore under her breath. If Nia got sick, she'd slow them down even more. No. I won't let that happen.

She reached out, gripping Nia's hand. She's mine. And I protect what's mine.

A faint glow flickered where their skin touched. A soft, golden shimmer—like dying embers in the dark.

Mira's breath hitched. Magic?

Nia stirred, her golden eyes fluttering open. For a split second, they glowed brighter than before.

Then, warmth spread through Mira's limbs. The deep ache in her muscles lessened, her shivering dulled, and even the sting of her injuries faded slightly.

Mira blinked. The exhaustion was still there, but… it was more bearable now.

She looked down at Nia, realization dawning. This girl. She has a blessing.

"…You can heal," Mira whispered.

Nia frowned weakly. "Not… really."

Mira's grip tightened. "Explain."

Nia shifted, looking away. "It's not full healing. It's… warmth. Strength. I don't know how it works. It just happens sometimes."

Mira exhaled sharply. This was important. A divine blessing—however weak—was a rare gift. Even if Nia didn't fully understand it yet, it was something they could use.

And it made her even more valuable.

A smirk pulled at Mira's lips. Good. That just means I need to keep you close.

She stood, forcing Nia up with her. "Then we'll figure it out later. For now, we move."

Nia wobbled but nodded, her trust evident despite her exhaustion.

Mira felt something settle inside her. She's relying on me. And she will keep relying on me.

Her smirk widened.

Good.