Some of the brood had attempted to back up to the sides of the pass, including Toad at the edge of the group. Faster than I could track him, the worm whipped out and smashed Toad in a plume of snow and my shrill screams.
I shifted and leapt off Ward’s back, with a dagger in my hands, before I registered what was happening. I wouldn't survive as a snake, but I could stab as a human. Hands came in handy. I didn't think—I let my snake’s instincts take over. The same force that bit that Alpha wolf rose inside me. I was done playing by human rules.
Evie, no!Ward’s warning didn’t stop me. I ran toward the snow-crusted monster. Ward shifted and swiped a gigantic paw down the worm’s side. The worm barely slowed down and snapped a snow-encrusted Declan into his mouth.
I leapt on his head and plunged the dagger in his eye. As his maw opened to scream, he dropped Declan. The worm curled up on himself, wriggling like he would break free of the metal in his eye. I hung on for dear life, watching as his tail whipped toward me with yet another head on that end. Ward took it in his giant jaws, crushing the mouth, impaling it on its own teeth. The worm shook us, spraying snow and slush over all of us as it snapped at Ward, who did his best to battle to my side.
A ripping sound brought a shrill cry from the worm, too loud now that I was next to his mouth.
Take him!Ward snarled.
The rest of the brood swarmed the struggling monster, and thankfully Toad shook himself off and charged forward. Antlers, claws and teeth sprayed the blue blood of the worm all over the pass. We might have been smaller than him, but the brood was capable of facing anything together.
That left me useless and hanging on as he attempted to retreat, plowing through the snow to the rocks above. An arrow thunked into the flesh next to me and at least I had another handhold. I looked down and watched the temple guys readying another shot. A second arrow gave me a foothold and relief for my tired arms. The third arrow lodged right in my calf, which I admit wasn’t great. In fact, it pretty much amounted to the fires of one of Fallon’s spicy chilies running through my body.
A flurry of claws, bellows and gnashing teeth was Ward in a frenzy, mowing through the worm with the fury of a thousand swords. The worm reached the ledge, its lair decorated with a distressing amount of bones and a surprising number of flowers. Half the worm made it to the ledge with me pinned to his head before I looked down and there was no rest of the worm to pull up to where we landed. Ward chewed and clawed right through it, claws, muzzle bright-blue and eyes glowing amber. He had no right to look hot, covered in blue blood, but it finally clicked that he was protecting me. He was always protecting me. In the world outside my village, that sometimes required a little blood.
You’re hurt, viper. I can feel it.Ward didn’t sound out of breath, but his sides heaved.
Maybe a little,I admitted, clutching the arrows that supported my weight.
I need to teach you to fight in your animal form.Ward’s growl sounded angry with himself.
I’m pretty sure that would be worse than me ending up here.
I tried to keep my voice neutral, but he heard it anyway.What hurts?
I didn’t want the harem boys in trouble. They nocked those arrows to help me.We can blame the worm, right?
Viper!
The authority in his voice did stupid things to my girlie bits at the most inopportune time. I did my best to clear it out of my inside voice.It's just a tiny arrow, but I'm losing my grip.
I looked into the mouth of the worm’s cave and saw a pile of trash at the entrance amongst the flowers and snow. A weird collection of different colored wool socks, a lyre missing its strings, and a book labeledInteresting Ballads. Since I didn't think ole' “eat ‘em up” worm had much interest in socks and musical instruments. They must have been Jerry's. The book only lay a few feet away. I stretched out a hand.
NO! Don’t lean forward, viper. The whole ledge is going to come down with you and the worm.His exasperation came through, loud and clear.
I knew I shouldn’t. But I was already up here and I regretted I ever thought Ward was only a killer. I ended up so close to something to remember his lost friend by. A small gesture might be the thing to bridge the gap in our understanding.
The edge to Ward’s voice grew sharper.Break off the arrow and pull your leg off the shaft.
That was the smart thing to do, address the searing pain first. I bent the arrow and with every tug; I saw stars.
That's good. You're doing so good, my girl.
Ward’s chocolate voice rolled through my head and straight between my legs.
Just a little more. I know you can do it,he continued. Slow and steady. Luckily my face smashed against clammy, dead, worm skin because it heated to my calf's temperature for completely opposite reasons.
Do not make me horny when I'm pinned to a dead monster, Ward,I said.
I'm preparing you for life attached to my hip because you're never leaving my side again. Bond or not,he barked back.Now break the damn arrow. The more gentle you are with it, the more it will hurt. I will catch you when you're free.
I couldn't look down to confirm he was below me, ready to catch me when I fell—I would throw up if I did.
Choosing the worst moments to be reckless had better not become my thing. The arrow hurt worse than the time Maggie tried to get me to do yoga, but I ripped free. Unfortunately, the worm also slipped on the ledge before catching on a pointy rock. I couldn’t tell if I screamed, but there an echo resounded in the pass.
Do not lean forward, viper. You’re still too high to reach, but I will catch you.
