I rushed toward the way I'd come in through the back. Ronin fought me every step of the way, her little jaw snapping at my chin. I hardly noticed when her fangs scraped flesh because footsteps crunched toward the tent.

One by one, my nerves snapped. My heartbeat stalled. I couldn't contain Ronin and shoot an arrow at the same time, but we had to get out. I'd promised, and I would not fail.

I searched for the right fur along the tent wall to fold back with my free ...