and sprinted in the other direction. His breathing came out in shallow gasps, but still he ran faster, pretending air wasn’t vital to his cause. The Dragon was likely paces away, and Tobias raced through the trees as if he was seconds away from finding a blade in his back.
His back was no longer the issue. Kaleo darted from around a tree, and Tobias dropped to the ground, rolling out of his path before hopping to his feet. He pivoted anxiously, his arms outstretched as he glanced between the Beast ahead and the one behind him. Drake had caught up to him, tossing his blade from hand to hand, while Kaleo waited in front of him, his blade drawn and grin steadily growing.
What now? Tobias’s heart pulsed behind his ears, his eyes darting between the two Beasts. A rustling sounded behind his shoulder—Drake lunging for him—and Tobias ducked low, scooping up a handful of dirt and tossing it in the Dragon’s face.
Drake stumbled away, clawing at his eyes, but Kaleo was still ready and waiting. Tobias jolted away as Kaleo swung his blade, the steel tip nearly grazing his gut, and before long a familiar pacing sounded behind him—Drake regaining his bearings. Just as both Beasts dove toward him, Tobias lurched out of the way, sending his two rivals lunging at one another.
Tobias zigzagged through the woods, hoping to lose or at least confuse them. His limbs were on fire, burning with energy and need, with the relief of freedom and the fear that it would be short-lived. What now? It was only a matter of time before they caught up with him. I have no weapon. No blessing. No place to hide. Save for the streaks of green flying past him.
Trees.
He leapt toward the nearest climbable tree and hoisted himself into its boughs, clambering higher before reaching a sturdy spot amid its branches. A long sigh escaped his lips, and then the leaves at his side stirred.
He spun toward the sound only to find Raphael sitting beside him.
“It’s just me—”
Tobias clasped his hand over Raphael’s mouth. Leaves crunched far beneath them—footsteps. Drake and Kaleo charged through the woods, staggering to a halt a short distance away.
“Shit.” Kaleo rested his hands on his hips. “Curly-headed fuck is fast.”
“We’ll split up,” Drake said. “Search for the rose.”
“Fuck the rose, the true prize is the Artist’s head.” Kaleo slugged Drake in the shoulder. “Can you imagine the look on ole Bron’s face? He’d probably gobble our cocks. At the same time, even.”
Kaleo’s laughter rang through the forest, setting Tobias on edge. The two men ambled away, their voices growing faint into the distance.
“Do you think he’s into that?” Kaleo asked. “Sucking cock. He doesn’t strike me as the type.”
“Shut up, you cunt,” Drake grumbled.
The two wandered out of sight, and Tobias let out a relieved breath. Raphael stared at him with disdain, his mouth still wedged in Tobias’s grasp.
“Apologies.” Tobias released his hold. “Couldn’t take any chances.”
Raphael snorted. “What are the odds we’d end up in the same tree?”
“No idea.”
“I’m serious. There must be hundreds of trees in these woods. The probability is ridiculously low. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes—”
A branch abruptly cracked beneath his weight, and he dropped with an “Oomph,” catching amid the boughs.
“Doesn’t look like we’ll be in the same tree for long,” Tobias mumbled.
“Goddammit.” Raphael hoisted himself upright. “What now?”
“What do you mean what now? There’s only one option.” Tobias grabbed hold of the tree’s trunk, clambering down a ways before stopping short. “Are you coming?”
Raphael hesitated, glancing around their leafy dwellings.
“Were you just going to sit here for the entirety of the challenge?”
“No.” Raphael wavered. “Maybe.”
“The branches won’t hold.”
“I know, I know,” Raphael grumbled, following Tobias down the tree.
The two hopped to the forest floor, dusting off their pants and eyeing their surroundings. “Stick together?” Tobias said.
Raphael nodded. “I’ll be our eyes—search for cover, opposition.” He stared down at his blade for a long while, then tossed it to Tobias. “You’ll be our muscle.”
“You’re giving me your blade?”
“You’re stronger than I am and better skilled.”
“Skilled?”
“You’ve cheated death a number of times and left others bloodied along the way,” Raphael said. “Have you not realized you’re good at this?”
Tobias eyed the blade over, stewing over Raphael’s words before leading the way through the forest.
The two walked in silence. The occasional rustling of leaves sent them both jumping, prepared for a fight, but it was always a breeze, or a rabbit, or simply one of