The manticore snorts, steam rising from its nose. It’s a standoff. They hold the high ground. That’s good. They should stay there, make the beast come to them and?—
Luca unwraps from the rock and heads straight for the monster.
Celine yells at him, but he doesn’t stop or turn back. He plows straight ahead, sliding through the sand in a straight, determined line.
The manticore paws the ground, a twisted smirk spreading over its mouth.
I scream Luca’s name, begging him to stop as I beat on the invisible barrier. I know he can’t hear me, but I have to try. “Don’t go alone.”
Celine doesn’t let him.
Terror rocks me as she leaps from the rock and sprints after him, the longsword gripped in her hand. She’s strong and fast, but Luca’s size is an advantage. Even sliding on his belly, his basilisk moves fast.
Alistair’s mouth falls open in a silent scream; his hands glued to the barrier. The blue of his eyes is nothing but a distant memory. Red devours the white and black until it’s all I can see.
He’s figured out what I already know: Celine won’t be able to catch Luca.
He’ll face the manticore alone, and he doesn’t stand a chance.
The manticore braces for a collision, digging its feet into the sand, and I frown. Why would it want that?
Only ten feet remain between them.
Luca’s plan is worryingly simple. Force the manticore to look him in the eye by getting way too close. But the beast is made of weapons; it’s too risky.
I glance at the rock. Ciprian isn’t there anymore. Gods above, where has he gone?
I scan the arena, but don’t see him anywhere. I don’t have time to search further because Luca and the manticore collide.
The monster twists at the last second and brings its scorpion tail around.
“Watch out,” I scream. I’m too late. So is Luca.
The stinger pierces his neck. Cracking his scales, it comes outwet with blood. The manticore chuffs, but it doesn’t account for Celine. She hurtles over Luca’s head and severs the bloody tail with her sword.
It falls to the sand, oozing blood and venom, where it twitches and turns the snow into a viscous, bubbling slurry. The puddle crystallizes, and the manticore screams with rage as it stares at its severed tail.
Celine swings her sword again, this time at its neck, but it’s not distracted anymore. It dodges her blow and swipes at her. She barely ducks in time.
Luca spasms, and his body curls around itself. His yellow eyes are wide and bleary with pain. Gods. I should be down there. I would give anything to be free of this cage and fighting by their sides.
A flicker of movement catches my attention. I squint, but there’s nothing there. When I broaden my search, I catch a warping in the sand about ten feet from the thrashing monster.Ciprian.
I hold my breath.
The manticore sniffs the air; it senses something is wrong, but it can’t ignore Celine. She’s attacking with everything she has. Screaming with rage, she swings the blade in sweeping arcs. One strike clips the monster’s foot and wets her blade with fresh blood.
Luca collapses, his eyes wide as he stares at the beast. My blood goes cold. His body is limp, unable to coil any longer. His eyelids flutter.No. Hold on, Luca. Hold on.
Celine tries to drive the manticore into his line of sight. It isn’t falling for it. Every time she presses closer, it retreats, glowering with a ferocity that makes the hair on my arms and neck stand on end.
When Ciprian reappears, I freeze. His back is to Luca, and he’s facing the manticore armed with a branch. He’s completelyunprotected, wobbling on his feet. Gods, no! The manticore pounces and lands onnothing.
Ciprian isn’t there.
It was a nightmare.
The manticore freezes, then looks directly into Luca’s yellow stare.
