The stone walls had been smeared in a cream-colored clay, so the room itself was light in color, which made it feel like her room back at home. The furniture, however, was made from the dark oak trees that were easily found in the surrounding area. A tall, dark wardrobe took up most of the wall next to the fireplace. A small desk sat near the balcony doorway. The ink pots and feather pen she had left out since her last visit here were barely visible in the light of the lamp, but the tall shadows they cast on the desk still rattled her nerves.
Everything looked as it should, and she took a confident step into the room. She did not mind the local wildlife, but she would rather not be required to shoo a bat or raccoon from the room. Hopefully, there would be no surprise spiders—or worse—in the bed.
The large bed against the side wall was mostly hidden by the sweeping drapes attached to the four tall posts at each corner. She had left the drapes down while they were away to keep the bed as dust free as possible. Still holding the lamp, she stepped closer to the bed and quickly threw aside the drooping curtain to ensure nothing had found a new home in her bed.
Her heart instantly stopped beating as a moment of sheer terror overtook her.
A mouse or spider she could handle. Even a raccoon would not have been too difficult. But, huddled under the covers, its fur-covered head resting on her pillow, was the massive form of a hibernating bear.
Separately, a streak of white fur yelped in surprise and flew past her, dashing out the open door of the bedroom.
Isa tried to inhale, but her lungs refused to perform the basic function.
Time stopped.
Finally, her body unfroze, and she inhaled only to instantly release that precious breath in a bloodcurdling scream. In her mind, she knew she should not make a sound, but she could not have remained silent if her life depended on it. Unfortunately, in this case, it did.
The instant the scream left her body, the massive bear stirred, clawing its way out of the pile of blankets and springing away from the source of the scream. Its motion was surprisingly limber for one so large, but it tore through the drapes as it landed on the other side of the bed.
In the light of the lantern, Isa could clearly make out its hideous form. Time stopped once again as her mind registered every horrifying and dangerous detail of the massive animal towering over her bed.
The beast was standing on its hind legs like a fierce mother bear protecting its cubs, the tatters of the curtain hanging over its shoulders. But, rather than the round body of a mountain bear, its face and limbs were pointed, hard, tactile, agile. The beast was the size of a bear, but its features were more like a wolf or a lion who could overpower its prey with a single powerful leap or snap of the jaw. Its mouth was open as it snarled, clearly displaying two large fangs that hung over its lower set of pointed teeth. Ringed in black fur, its yellow eyes gave off a feral glow.
For the briefest moment, Isa felt as if those big, yellow eyes were fully sentient. The way they tracked her movement, searching for whatever was behind the bright lantern, made it seem almost afraid of her.
But as she noticed the sheer height of the beast and the length of the claws that it held up to protect itself, the sentient look in its eyes disappeared.
It made no move to leap across the bed and devour her, so she took a very slow step backward. Although she had a clear path to the open door, she was not stupid enough to make a mad dash for it. She knew how a predatory animal would respond to the quick movement, snapping her in its jaws like easy prey.
Keeping her focus locked on the immobile animal, she tried to look out the corner of her eye to see if there was any weapon in sight.
Since they had been traveling, she still had a small blade sheathed in the belt around her waist. But against an animal this large, it would be useless. The blade would merely glance off the thick fur coat without inflicting damage.
Not that she would have a chance to get it anywhere near its fur before those two fangs sank into her.
The only two objects within reach were on the small table next to her bed. One was a short candlestick and the other a hardcovered book. The candlestick was made of iron, but it was more of a flat, round dish. Definitely not tall enough to use as a bludgeon. The book, on the other hand, would provide no attack value, but it could be used in defense. If she could protect her body with the book, those powerful fangs would sink into parchment rather than... her. Perhaps that moment of confusion would buy her enough time to get through the door.
What book had she been reading when she was here last? She banished that thought from her mind. She could not be worried about ruining a book when her very life was in danger.
The animal had not moved, its eyes fixated on the lantern in her hand.
Perhaps the bright light had blinded it? She reached out with her empty hand and picked up the book from the nightstand. It was the second volume ofThe Queen of Silverreign.Her heart sank. She tried not to imagine those sharp teeth shredding her favorite story. At least it was properly hardbound and not a loose scroll. She pushed those thoughts from her mind. The two thin boards protecting the pages of the book, favorite or not, were the only protection she herself would have from becoming mincemeat.
Hopefully Blanca or Cam had heard her cry and would be arriving soon, although she was not sure what help they would be.
She had to stay focused on getting to the door. The beast’s eyes were still glued to the lantern, which she moved slowly. Its eyes followed the light.
She set the lantern down on the small bedside table where the book had been.
Its eyes followed the lantern.
She took a small step away from the table.
The beast instantly sensed the movement, and its eyes returned to her. Its paws were still held out in front of its face, claws poised for attack.
She stopped moving. It had been a good idea, hoping the beast would be distracted by the bright light. Her only chance now was to run for the door and hope she could position the book between herself and those jaws if need be. She took a deep breath, all too aware of the fact that it might be her last.
“I am so sorry to have frightened you,” the beast said, slowly moving toward the door.
