Chapter#16

Rowan’s POV

The other trainees emerged one by one, limping out of the valley’s maw. I barely noticed them. My eyes were fixed on the valley entrance, searching for one person.

Selene.

Where was she? The thought hit harder with each passing moment. My fists tightened as I fought to keep my breathing steady. Each warrior who stumbled out without her tightened the knot in my chest. She should’ve been here by now.

“She’s with Liam,” Caden’s calm but firm voice came from behind me as his hand gripped my shoulder. I turned to him. “You know how capable he is,” Caden went on, trying to sound sure, “If anyone can protect her, it’s him.”

I wanted to believe him, to cling to the idea that Liam’s skill would be enough to keep her safe. But doubt gnawed at me, whispering scenarios I couldn’t bear to imagine. The valley was a graveyard of bones and blood, and one misstep could mean…

“She’s not out yet,” I slowly growled.

Caden exhaled sharply, “Look, Rowan, you’re not helping her by losing your head here. Give it another…”

“I’ll give her a few more minutes,” I said through gritted teeth. Deep down, I knew I couldn’t wait long. My instincts screamed to go back, to find her, to make sure she was still breathing.

Caden gave me a look as his lips pressed into a thin line, “Rowan, if you go back…”

“I know the risks,” I snapped, cutting him off, “I don’t need you to remind me.” The trials, the rankings, the final test; it could all burn for all I cared. Selene was my sister, my responsibility, the last hope of Silverthorn I had left.

His hand dropped, and he stepped back, silent, but I could see the understanding in his gaze. He knew what returning to the valley meant: throwing away everything we’d fought for, our ranks, our progress, our chance at the final trial. I didn’t care. Letting out a long breath, I started walking toward the valley entrance.

“Wait,” Caden protested, following close behind. He didn’t argue, though. I knew him well enough to recognize the unease in his eyes, the same worry that mirrored mine. Despite his words, he’d been watching the entrance too.

As we approached, the Commandant stepped into view. He crossed his arms, “You’re not going back. Step foot in that valley, and you throw everything away. All of it.”

Caden stiffened beside me. We’d fought for weeks to get this far. Throwing it all away was a bitter pill to swallow, but Selene was still in there.

I didn’t hesitate. “Move,” I growled.

The Commandant’s brow lifted slightly, but he didn’t budge. Caden glanced at me, “Rowan…”

“Kaelen’s in there, Caden. Alone.” I turned to him, “I know you want to do the same.”

That did it. Caden nodded once, “We go together.”

The Commandant’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might physically stop us. But after a tense pause, he stepped aside, “Your choice. Don’t expect mercy when you return.”

‘If we return,’ I thought. The faint cries of distant beasts echoed through the air. I gripped my blade tightly.

“Selene!” I called into the void, answered only by the growl of something unseen. Caden’s hand shot up, halting me mid-step. He whispered, “Listen.”

A scream echoed through the valley. My heart surged, and without thinking, I broke into a sprint. Caden cursed under his breath as he raced to keep up. “She has to be close,” I muttered.

Caden nodded. He drew his sword as we moved, weaving through dense trees and jagged rocks. My chest tightened with every step. What if we were too late?

A low growl from behind snapped me out of my thoughts. “Left!” Caden barked, already swinging his blade. I turned just in time to see a smaller beast lunge. My sword was up in an instant, slicing clean through its neck. The creature hit the ground with a sickening thud. Its blood pooled on the rocks. More movement in the dark told us we weren’t alone.

“Keep moving,” I said, wiping the blood from my blade on my torn sleeve. “Don’t waste energy on these.” The smaller beasts were a distraction, nothing more. We had to find her before something worse did.

The terrain grew rougher as we climbed higher. My mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. I forced the thoughts down, focusing on the path ahead.

Then I saw it: a streak of blood on the ground, smeared like someone had been dragged. The trail led deeper into the valley. My stomach dropped, but I forced myself to keep moving. If I let fear take hold, I wouldn’t be able to think straight. “She’s close,” I whispered, more to myself than to Caden.

We followed the trail in silence. All that mattered was what lay ahead. When we rounded the next corner, the blood trail stopped abruptly, and my heart nearly stopped with it. My eyes scanned the area, desperate for any sign of her.

A faint rustling ahead broke the silence, followed by a low, guttural growl, deep and menacing. I raised my hand, signaling Caden to stop. “Stay here,” I whispered as my grip tightened on my sword.

He opened his mouth to argue, but I shot him a look that silenced him. I crept forward. Every muscle coiled. My sword was ready to strike. The growling grew louder, a sound that sent a chill down my spine. Then I saw it; a massive beast, its back to me, crouched low over something…no, someone…

Selene!