Page 83 of Wolf's Redemption

I felt afraid, not for the battle but that she would get hurt. I didn't want to lose Cathy, not after I finally had her.

"I will," she said.

We arrived at the place just where the forest began. We got out of the trucks, and out of the bushes came our two informants.

"You're just in time," one of them said with a face full of maple ashes to hide his scent. "The enemy is on the move."

One of them took the lead, pointing us in the direction of the enemy groups, but Cathy turned away and started walking in the opposite direction.

"Cathy, what are you doing?" I asked, holding her hand.

"Lissandra is in that direction," she said.

"No way, we checked that area," said one of the informants.

"Do you trust me?" she asked, looking me in the eyes.

I looked at Sebastian and Andrew. They were my advisors in this war, and they didn't look very convinced.

"I trust you," I said, "Let's split into two groups. One will come with me, and the other will be commanded by Sebastian. Our meeting point will be the river bank."

Sebastian ran his hand through his grizzled beard and selected the half that would go with him. He grabbed my hand tightly. "Good luck Eric," he said with a strong voice.

Cathy, Andrew, and I were in the lead following Cathy, who didn't hesitate for a second following the trail until we stopped in a clearing in the middle of the woods. "This is where the trail ends," she said and pointed to a circle of maple ash that blocked our senses. "Let's get out of..."

The leaves around us rustled, and from the treetops jumped several enemy warriors, and in front of us, from among the birches, emerged Lissandra, dressed in black with a silver dagger in her hands, and next to her appeared Aston and Linda wearing similar outfits.

They looked different, more mature, thinner, and with their eyes full of venom.

"What a predictable surprise," Lissandra said in a serene voice.

Cathy clenched her fists, and uncontrolled anger grew inside her.

"How did you know we were coming?" I asked, stepping in front of Cathy.

We were surrounded, and although there were about fifty of us, we were outnumbered by them.

"When the messengers didn't return, I knew they would have been questioned, and it was a matter of time before you showed up," she said. "I'm a wise woman, and as hard as it is for you to admit it, Cathy, I know you better than anyone on earth."

"Shut up," Cathy shouted back. "You don't know me,"

"Is that so?" she laughed a mocking laugh. "I bet you're here to avenge your friend. What was her name again?"

"Morgan," Linda added.

"Oh, yes. Morgan, I don't remember her name, but I do remember her screams asking me to end her life," she said. "She and I had a lot of fun in the dungeons."

Cathy took a step forward, but I held her back in time. "She's just baiting you," I said. "If we split up, we lose."

"So, you think you can win? Look around," Alston bellowed in a vile, gruff tone. "You're already dead."

Cathy was possessed by anger and vengeance, but in her eyes, I could see determination.

Tell everyone to hold their breath.Cathy said.

I gave the order. Cathy took a step forward, looking Lissandra straight in the eyes.

"Watch out!" yelled Linda, but it was too late because already Cathy had thrown the entire belt at their feet, and immediately the purple gas spread everywhere.