“Feral magic usually tries to kill its attacker if it feels threatened, so we’ll have a chance to catch it when it fights us.”
“Oh,” I say in a small voice. “Good.”
That explains why Troy is covered in scars.
Natalie stops at the pier’s entrance. “Ready?”
My brain screamsnope,but my mouth says, “Sure.”
The net pulses against my palms like a second heartbeat. There’s a strange hiss in the back of my mind, like someone whispering from across a quiet room.
That can’t be a good sign.
“Could you imagine if this was just someone’s escaped pet pig?” I say, attempting a smile. “And we’re here with this net, going way overboard trying to catch it?”
Natalie laughs—and then stops as the pig turns and looks right at us.
Only a group of teenagers remain between us and the chimera, giggling and clutching each other as they try to get closer. The pig lowers its head, looking right past them and staring us down.
I take a step onto the weathered planks, which creak under my feet. The salty spray sticks to my face, and that weird hiss in my mind grows louder. The seagulls have gone quiet, like they know something supernatural is about to go down. A long shadow stretches over the planks beside the pig, though it isn’t sunny, and I swear the shadow doesn’t match the animal’s shape.
“Little hunter, you dare to bind what was never meant for chains?”a voice hisses in the back of my mind.
What? Who said that?
I whip my head around, but nobody is there.
“Did you hear that?” I ask Natalie.
“The train?” she asks, pointing.
“No, I…” I spin to see a long freight train appear around the distant curve of the shore, its headlight cutting through the gloom. A low rumble meets my ears.
“Okay, everybody away from the beach!” Natalie’s voice shifts into authoritative mode as she positions herself between me and potential witnesses. “Anyone remaining will be fined. Move back behind the tracks, now!”
She herds people away, beckoning sternly to the teenagers. Smart—the passing train will give us cover.
My heartbeat quickens. I grip the net tighter, my palms sweating and my skin prickling all over. Do we really think I can do this? Yeah, I can sense the bio magic in front of me, but so what? Just because a person can see a tornado doesn’t mean they can trap it in a jar.
My phone buzzes, and I steal a glance in case it’s Hazel with something important.
Hazel
I found an article on how to catch a pig.
I stare blankly at the link. Okay, first of all—
I shake my head and pocket my phone, focusing.
When I look up, the pig’s form ripples like disturbed water, and my heart lurches. Pink skin transforms into wrinkled gray hide. Tusks burst out like ivory daggers. A trunk unfurls, huge ears fan out, and I’m suddenly facing an elephant.
The boardwalk groans under its massive weight.
Well, this is inconvenient.
“Natalie?” I call, fidgeting with the net that’s now pitifully small. “We might need a backup plan.”
The elephant trumpets, the sound so out of place that my spine tingles.
