NineLivesLeft dragged his bleeding arm across another trunk.
Then another.
Every rebound carried him deeper into the trees, and every point of contact left blood behind. He smeared it across wet bark, low branches, exposed roots, and rocks beside the road until the metallic scent spread through the forest.
Kumoe's curious head swung toward one trail.
Then another.
Her growl turned uncertain.
Alexandra understood his plan a second too late.
NineLivesLeft had seen how heavily they relied on Kumoe's nose. Bloodscent Lock let him track their real wounds no matter where they moved, while his own blood now marked dozens of false positions.
He attacked from above.
Kumoe's right head barked, and Alexandra raised both swords in time to catch the descending hooks.
Metal scraped across metal.
NineLivesLeft folded his knees against Alexandra's crossed blades, kicked away, and struck a trunk behind her.
Prowler's Rebound sent him toward Kumoe.
