The Tiger Within 51 No Regrets Part 3

The forest was quiet, and Kyera felt a little unsure as a strong wind danced across her senses, causing her to slow down. That moments pause allowed Talis to dash past her, trying out his training. When Kyera's eyes refocused she saw him dashing far ahead of her, but Verone had slowed when he reached her side. His nose raised to the air sniffing, the wind seemed to have a metallic chill to it.

The winds of change always bring forth a warning, though very few know to listen for such things. They believe there is nothing that can be done to stop the change once that ancient air swept past, but Kyera knew that it was nothing but a tide to be ridden. There would be a change, yes but what or how was up to the listener.

Between that smell and how Talis was behaving, as though bewitched, Kyera knew. Her worst fear danced with the strands of reality, begging to be allowed to come true. She would be d.a.m.ned before it happened. Verone seemed to sense something similar because his eyes suddenly became troubled as he looked toward her still traveling at the same speed she was.

"Ky aren't we outside the test zone?" He asked his eyes meeting hers. It felt as though a icy grip had wrapped around her heart. Kyera's eyes fell on Talis, and she picked up speed. A great unease tore through her, the Winds were laced with more than just the sent of metal. There was the sent of humans and something... else. Something dark and familiar that reminded her of the night she woke to fighting, growling, and death.

Kyera's mind refused to recognize anything other than that metal's sharpness. Her eyes dancing across the land, searching for its source. She had to find it or catch up with Talis…

However the boy was completely oblivious as he continued to pick his way haphazardly across the forest floor. Occasionally leaping up into trees and down onto logs partially covered by the underbrush. Kyera opened her maw and roared, trying to catch his attention, her speaking voice too soft in this form for him to hear her from the ever changing distance.

Talis met her roar with one of his own seeming to take hers as a teasing call rather than the desperation that it truly was. His roar was beautiful and strong, it should have shook the birds from their nests… but there were none near. Another sign something was wrong, but he didn't know.

When the creatures of the night hid, a hunter was on the prowl. Yes, the tigers themselves were predators, but not to the feathered flock. Yet, she knew Talis had no idea what this meant. How could he? It was his first time out this late into the night and his confidence had gained a huge boost.

She cursed herself and surged forward, pushing herself harder as the smell got stronger. The trap was coming nearer… yet she couldn't sense exactly what it was yet. She could only pray she would figure it out before they fell victim, one or all.

"Talis!" She cried as loud as she could using every ounce of power her voice could hold, but again no avail. He was too focused on his new found freedom. It was as though the new abilities tempted him to ignore his truly cautious nature. The more she watched the more she felt something else was at work here.

The smell was too strong now. It was metal, but barely. She could smell rope, and even some sort of oil. Her eyes darted to Verone who was running parallel to her but slightly behind. "Its a net!" Kyera cried and he looked at her. Nodding, Verone joined her in scanning as they ran. "Talis there's a Net!" Kyera screamed but again the boy seemed to hear nothing.

At the end of her rope, Kyera tried to gather the shadows and send them to slow him down. Something was wrong. Even the shadows ignored her cry for help. Her body was weary even as it tried to draw on her magic. Nothing. Not the slightest quiver of the shadows. She felt their will to help and the pressure on the barrier but something stopped them from springing forth.

Tears p.r.i.c.ked her eyes as she realized she was on her own. Pain ripped through her muscles as she pushed herself harder than she had in a long time, desperately bounding after the wild youth and barely beginning to close the gap. Another magic was at play here and there was nothing she could do to stop it.