A low, strange sound was coming from somewhere in the cave. Maeve sat up.
The fire was out, and Mal was gone. His cloak was draped over her.
The strange sound grew louder. She sent a ball of light into the air above her and turned behind her. The black water of the lake that had previously been sleek and still had small bubbles popping across the surface.
Maeve’s breathing quickened. She placed her hands behind her and began to scoot away from the lake. The gurgling sound became loud now. Something was in the water. Maeve stood to her feet, still backing away from the pool.
She was afraid to call Mal’s name for fear of disturbing whatever was lurking in the dark water. The bubbles along the surface grew large as the creature rose higher in the water. The opening out of the chamber was farther than Maeve would have liked.
The noise from the water grew in pitch, getting louder and louder. Maeve quickened her pace. The sharp noise grew and grew until water soared into the air and the cave filled with the shrillest and most unsettling scream Maeve had ever heard.
Maeve jumped and her heart stopped as a giant creature burst forth from under the water, with eight octopus legs flailing about. It was pale green, at least twenty feet tall, with a large mouth and razor-sharp teeth. Two wiry arms with scaling long fingers slammed into the ground. Its glassy eyes locked on her.
She had seen its picture in school, but never imaged they grew this large. The Water Demon towered above her in the cave.
Grendel. Grindylow. They were called many names. But Maeve knew one thing for certain: as terrifying as its teeth and claws were, it was going to try to drown her.
She shot a stunning spell at the beast. Blue light sparked from her fingers. But the water demon screamed and pulled itself fully out of the water. She turned and ran towards the opening. One of its long tentacles slammed into the ground next to her, the impact knocking her over, and the floor of that cave shattered.
She scrambled to get back up, but the Grindylow grabbed her ankle tightly, and it started pulling her towards the water.
Maeve took aim and pointed directly at the tentacle wrapped around her ankle.
The water demon screamed as Maeve scorched it with fire. Maeve cried out too as her skin burned.
She pushed off the ground and started running towards the way out once more, desperately shooting defensive spells behind her. Mal appeared with a POP at the entryway, a ball of green light at his hand. His eyes went wide upon seeing the Grindylow, and he ran towards Maeve.
But he was far. So far.
One of the tentacles grabbed ahold of her leg this time, sending her crashing to the ground. She strained and aimed for the demon’s face, but a second muscular tentacle wrapped around her waist, crushing her.
Her mouth opened in silent agony as her ribs caved in and the Grindylow dragged her towards the water.
“Maeve!” Mal screamed, but he was too far away.
His screams disappeared in an instant as the Grindylow pulled Maeve under the black water. The Grindylow jerked her down further and further until her head felt like it was going to explode. She mustered up what Magic she had and sent it barreling towards the monster.
It howled and gripped her harder. Pink and white spots appeared in her vision.
The Grindylow stopped suddenly. Maeve managed to open her eyes, but she could barely see through the murky water. The creature was horrific. Its oblong mouth hung open, exposing hundreds of teeth.
Maeve couldn’t hold her breath any longer. She knew she wasn’t supposed to, but her body betrayed her. She sucked in. Water poured in through her mouth and nose.
The Dread Ring, which hung about her neck, floated up into her line of vision. The Grindylow extended one tentacle slowly towards the ring. Before the tentacle touched the ring, it began pulsating, sending ripples out into the water. Slowly at first, then larger bolts of energy.
Maeve felt a surge of hope.
The Grindylow frowned and tightened its grip on Maeve. She winced and more water filled her lungs. The ring fell still for a moment, and Maeve’s heart dropped.
Her body became nothing. Everything faded into blackness.
Chapter 40
She was drowning. He could feel it. Her heart was beating faster than he knew a heart should beat.
Pure fear overtook her senses.
She’s screaming. She’s drowning.
