And those insane eyes were fixed on me.
I stood, trembling, afraid to blink. To breathe. Next to me, Filip had gone motionless, still clutching my hand. Was he just as terrified?
The beast let loose a guttural growl that raised the hairs on the back of my neck. It stood unnaturally still—an apex patiently waiting to launch its attack.
It sniffed the air and my heart dropped in realization. My hand was bleeding, and thisthingcould detect it. If it was anything like a shark, it would be only a matter of seconds before the scent drove it into a frenzy.
I didn’t give it the chance.
“Run!” I bellowed, dropping Filip’s hand and bolting in theopposite direction.
I didn’t turn around to see if he had followed; I could hear his footsteps pounding against the detritus behind me. I could hear the creature’s primal snarls and howls as it tore between trees and bushes in rapid pursuit of our flesh.
I ducked and swerved to avoid unruly branches, running as fast as my legs had ever moved. Blood thrummed in my ears and my heart raged against my ribcage. I had to move faster, faster, faster.
Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop.
A loud thump and a yell stopped me in my tracks. I whirled around and saw that the creature had tackled Filip to the ground, pinning his shoulders with its razor-sharp paws. Its maw was open, dripping saliva on his face.
“I’ve got this!” Filip shouted as he tried to wrestle the beast off of him. “Go!”
I couldn’t bring myself to do anything other than stand and watch in horror as the creature tossed its head back and let out a bloodthirsty howl, preparing to sink its serrated teeth into Filip’s neck.
He didn’t allow it the opportunity. In one fell swoop, he lifted his sword and planted it into the underside of the creature’s monstrous body. It yowled, recoiling. He used that moment to roll out from under its clutches and strike again.
This time, the creature moved quickly. It dodged the worst of the blow but was left with a vicious gash on its front leg that only seemed to infuriate it.
Snapping and snarling, it lunged for Filip. He darted out of the way but his opponent wasn’t deterred. Like an orca launching an attack on a sea lion, it lunged for Filip again and again. Each time, he struck back with his sword. The beast moved too swiftly for any of his counterattacks to do more than graze its fur. But the blood seeping from the wound on its underside formed red-black puddles on the ground. It must have been in immense pain, yet that didn’t seem to hinder it. If anything, it drove the beast into a feral fury.
It pounced at Filip once more. This time, he didn’t move quickly enough.
I gasped as he slammed into the ground, dropping his sword with a resounding thud.
Blind terror was all I knew in that moment. Should I use my powers to help him? No, I couldn’t—it would expose me as Mer and end my bargain with the Crow. But this was life and death. Could I just stand by and watch Filip get killed?
He winced; the creature’s teeth had sliced his arm.
The creature circled him, sniffling and snarling, its insane eyes focused menacingly on its target. It wanted to intimidate before it pounced.
I didn’t give myself time to think. Before I knew what I was doing, I picked up the sword. It was lighter than the one I had commandeered on the night of Hugo’s attack, which made it easier to plunge into the beast’s side with every shred of force I could muster.
Caught unaware, the beast bellowed. Recoiling in pain, it turned its murderous stare onto me. Its blood-red eyes bore into mine.
Despite the icy grip of undiluted fear that coursed through my body, I did not back down. My movements were instinct and adrenaline as I drew the blade from its side and struck again, this time landing a blow in its eye.
Filip used the distraction to act swiftly. With the skill and speed of a legendary warrior, he leaped onto the beast’s back.
The beast was rabid as it jerked and bucked and yowled with the sword still lodged in its eye. Using his powerful thighs, Filip braced tightly as he unsheathed the second sword from his back. With both hands, he lifted the blade high above his headand drove it forcefully into the creature’s skull.
There was a squelch and a crunch as the blade penetrated skin and bone. A flicker of surprise crossed the monster’s face, followed by stillness. Then a dull thud as it collapsed onto the ground.
Filip rose from the creature’s dead body. He dislodged the sword from its eye then wiped it clean against the obsidian fur.
“What. The fuck. Was that thing?” he panted.
I shook my head; I had no words. My entire body was shaking.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, sheathing his blades with a grimace.
