Chapter 32

Chapter 32

A bolt shredded through the wolfs coat, leaving a line of red across its shoulder. A graze. Not nearly good enough. If my crossbows enchantment was going to have any discernible effect, I needed to start landing hits center mass. Which would be easier if the creature wasnt so god-damned fast.

Massive, quick, probably horrifically strong.

It charged straight at me. My crossbow whirred, my senses elevating to the point where time seemed to slow down, yet it was nearly enough. There could be no fumbling, as I had on the other floors. A single mistake would mean death, or grave injury, whichin a situation like this, was much the same. Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

I multitasked. A tendril of aimed at the trunk of a dead tree that sat directly between us. I wasnt confident in using any of my abilities on the wolf directly. Whatever the reason for the wolfs resistanceelevated intelligence or something baked inThe psychic backlash from was significant, and I wasnt certain if Probability Spiral would react the same way. An ear-shattering crack rang out over the clearing, and a ring of wood around the tree visibly fractured. The damage occurred higher up than I expected, causing a section of the tree to fall more slowly, more in time with the charging wolf.

I loaded the bolt, taking aim. This needed to hurt. The wolf was clearly intelligent, but it was enraged, trying to end this as quickly as possible. Unfortunately for me, if I didnt find a way to divert its aggression, it probably would.

I kept the bead of the crossbow slightly above the wolfs chest, exhaled slowly, and pulled the trigger.

Bullseye. The bolt sunk deep, and the monster let out a roar. It was still cognizant enough to jump backwards from the falling tree, but now there was an obstacle between us. Id bought myself some space, but not much. I needed more. Somewhere high up with elevation. But there was nothing around us but trees and snow. And I didnt trust myself to climb a tree while a bear-sized wolf was breathing down my neck.

Look at how the tree fell.

Because of how the trunk cracked higher, the tree had fallen at a right angle, forming something of a ramp. If I got up enough speed, I might be able to launch off it, hoisting myself into the branches of something nearby.

The wolf had recovered from the falling surprise and switched its direct aggression for a more methodical, predator-like stalk. If anything, it appeared to be giving me far too much caution, considering the size difference. The wolf sniffed at the tree as it circled.

It put together that the tree didnt just fall on its own.

It was equal-parts problem and benefit. If the wolf was familiar with magic, it would likely give me a much wider berth. Unfortunately, it would probably realize something was off when I didnt eventually start hurling fireballs around. Doubly problematic if it was smart enough to understand what my power actually did.

We circled the fallen tree, counterclockwise. All-the-while, I studied the wood dubiously, trying to guesstimate whether it would stay in place, and whether I was confident enough in my agility to actually make this happen.

The beast darted right in a thundering sprint just as I reached the fallen end of the tree.

No choice. Go.

Lash the branch under my feet and hold on! I yelled at Audrey, sending her a picture with

I fired another two bolts, struggling with the crescendoing panic that roiled beneath my title. All I could think about was the amount of damage this thing could do if it caught me. There had to be something more I could do, something I was missing.

Even with my emulated combat skill, using the dagger was an absolute last ditch measure.

wouldnt go off in time.

was almost more dangerous to me than it was to the wolf.

If I gave the crossbow bolts enough time, it was possible the effect would add up, but time was something I was quickly running out of.

For just a moment, as I was reloading the crossbow, my gaze flicked to her frozen pups. They were still in a cuddled heap, unmoving. Everything shed done up to this point had been brutally efficient, but tracking back to her pups had been unnecessary. It spoke to something else beyond her intelligence.

Regret?

But my time to strategize was coming to an end. The tree broke with a crashing explosion of wood. The wolf leapt off it, and, using the stump as a stepping stone, propelled itself directly towards me.

An unnatural calm settled over me. This was probably my last chance at this clear of a shot.

I aimed the bead of the crossbow, calculating trajectory. Then fired.

The bolt landed at an angle, destroying the wolfs right eye. A headshot. But not enough to kill.

Its body was still angled and taut, diving straight towards me.

I threw myself backward, relying on Audreys vine and makeshift harness to catch me. It was a smart wolf, but still a wolf. It wouldnt be changing trajectories in midair.

Which was, coincidentally, my last thought before iron jaws clamped down on my shoulder.