For Paz.
Rage exploded inside me. I launched after the krokutta with lightning in my veins. Wind whipped my face as I chased the hunter down.
I wouldn’t let it hurt Paz. No matter what.
The krokutta was within pouncing distance. I saw the figures clearly now—Paz and Haz’rull. They had only just seen the beast in their path.
Paz yelped, pure terror flashing over his face. He must’ve known he couldn’t escape this hunter by talking to it—and now it was too late to run.
“MOVE!” I shouted over the wind.
It happened in a split second. The krokutta sprang, fangs ready to sink into Paz.
I slammed into the beast in midair. It yowled as I threw off its trajectory. We landed in a chaotic tumble of angry limbs. It heaved for breath, winded. The ambush was enough to keep the krokutta busy for a few seconds, but it would get back up soon.
“Run! Now!” I yelled at Paz.
Paz didn’t run. He stood frozen to the spot, staring at me with wide-eyed panic. “What about you?” he shouted back.
“Just go!” I snarled.
The krokutta seized its chance to counterattack. With a powerful swipe, its thick claws scored my face. I hissed at the stinging pain. It slashed me hard enough to pierce my scales and draw blood.
“Kur’tok!” Paz yelled.
Why wasn’t that idiotic human running away? Didn’t he know I wanted him to be safe?
“Get out of here!” I snapped. “Haz’rull, take him and go!”
I saw a glimpse of fear in Haz’rull’s eyes as they grabbed Paz’s arm and ran. To my disbelief, Paz struggled hard enough in Haz’rull’s arms to yank himself free.
“Kur’tok, watch out!” Paz cried.
His warning gave me a split second to dodge another swipe. Now I was furious. I ducked my head and charged the krokutta with my horns. It yowled as the tips gouged its shoulder. Throwing itself to the ground, it kicked me off with its muscular back legs. I grunted as it tossed me aside.
Paz ran haphazardly towards me, skidding on his knees by my side. “Kur’tok!”
I was equal parts relieved and annoyed to see him. Despite my fear and anxiety, my heart soared. Even after our argument, he still cared. He could’ve left my domain. He could’ve abandoned me.
Instead, he was right in the middle of a battle for survival. Idiotic flesh-bag.
“Are you okay?” Paz asked, breathless.
“No, I’m fighting off the beast trying to kill you!” I snapped.
Paz gasped. “You’re bleeding! We have to—”
The krokutta leapt, its hooked claws aimed for Paz. He was an easy target. If it snatched him, the krokutta would escape before I could stop it.
Grabbing Paz with my tentacles, I shoved him down into the dirt and climbed on top of him. The next instant, sharp claws raked down my back. But worse was the white-hot pain that followed when a couple claws snagged my sensitive feelers. I roared in agony.
My eyes clenched shut. Searing pain surged over my skin, but I couldn’t move. I had to bear the hunter’s attacks because I was the only barrier between Paz and the beast—and I couldn’t live with myself if Paz was hurt.
“Get the fuck off Kur’tok, youalienhyenafuck!”
A high-pitched squeal shrieked in my ear. Then the pain suddenly stopped. I sensed that the beast behind me was gone.
Confused, I opened my eyes. I glanced over my shoulder to see the krokutta stumbling away, whimpering and yelping loudly.
