FOREVER KNIGHTS: #17 Marked As Mine

BOOK SEVENTEEN of the Forever Knight Series. Mardichi heard a strange high sound over the crackle of fires, wood, and mud. Realizing that the strange sound was Zuriena shrieking as they drew close. He didn’t even have time to stop before she was rolling from his shoulders. Falling brutally and rolling from her back to her feet to run. Mardichi instantly recalled how wet the hut had been. Magic hides from Radix behind water…He knew this fact well. His head spun to Zuriena whose hand was fluttering over her mouth hysterically. She was hiding something from Radix? Zuriena shrieked again. “Liasa!” An unbelievably shrill whinny shredded the air in response. As the smoke cleared momentarily, the inside became visible. Mardichi was shocked. A tiny red foal was inside. Kicking back a swarm of Nonis. Tiny wounds marred its spindly legs. It’s eyes were vivid red, reflecting the flames around it. And everything its feet touched lit on fire. Every Noni kicked burst into flame. Sizzling and popping. The terrified baby horse reared and kicked in terror. But even as they watched it was weakening, having kept up this endeavor much of the day. It’s got little time left. The countless Nonis hovered around the tiny horse. Long tails flicking in excitement. Radix so badly wants this little animal dead he’s bent on the Nonis burning with it. The foal won’t burn. Mardichi knew.