Fire rose within me, the memory of my mother fading before my eyes as fresh as the day it happened. Her face shifted to Jane’s, and I snapped. Grabbing her shoulders, I shook her. “You will not sacrifice yourself.”
Her face softened as she stared at me. There was no reproach in her gaze, only a deep empathy. “Tor,” she took my hands from her shoulders and held them tight between her breasts, “hear what I’m saying. No one is dying today.” Glancing beyond us to the beast in the jungle, she sighed. The creature was pulling trees by the roots and flinging them toward the distant red mountains. “This isn’t about sacrifice. Not you for me, or me for you. If you try to fight that beast alone, you will lose.” She gave my hands a gentle squeeze. “We are stronger together, and I won’t let you stand alone.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat. The fear of losing another person I loved was an emotion she understood. Yet, she didn’t allow it to stop her from her duty—our duty. “You’re right, my Truxoria. We win together,” I assessed our odds as I turned my focus on the creature, “or not at all.”
“Hey! Don’t count us out yet.” She released my hands and shrugged. “That thing could be a vegetarian.”
I snorted. “You think it’s a plant-eater?”
The beast roared to the skies.
“Sure.” Her laughter held no mirth. “There’s always a chance.”
The creature as if sensing our talk spotted us at last. Four tiny oval eyes fixed on our position. Its mouth snapped shut, the fang hanging over its chin. It stalked forward. It moved with lithe grace for a beast its size, eating up the ground with long strides. The look in its quadruple gaze was not that of a plant-eater. This was a predator, and it had determined we would be its prey.
“Not today, my orange friend,” I muttered. The ground lacked anything we could use as weapons. Vegetative life abounded, but no rocks or anything sharp. Weighing our options, I spoke to Jane.When I say, run for the tunnel.
No. We already went through this. I’m staying with you.A whooshing exhale passed her lips.We’ll find a way.
I already have. Spring to the passage when I give you the word.I gauged the distance of the nearest tree.He’ll follow you. To reach you, he’ll have to crouch and use one of his arms to pull you from the tunnel.My hearts raced as I imagined the beast pawing after her.Do not let him get you. I’ll use the tree like a club and find his weak point.
As the creature drew closer, its stench filled my nose. It smelled like butra dip, the sweet treat that my brather Brok favored. Except when it rotted it put out an aroma that could gag a warrior. This beast had a matching scent.
“Ugh,” Jane cried, covering her mouth. “That’s awful.”
I resisted the urge to stuff my nose with dirt to block the smell. “Almost time. Be ready.”
The soft tissue of its eyes is weak.Her body leaned forward, weight shifting to the balls of her feet.The skin at its throat, where the fur thins, is possible too.
My clever mate.I smiled inwardly. The universe had blessed me with a fighter. I had to use her knowledge and skills to win this battle. She was right. If I let my fear rule me, we would lose.
The beast came within striking distance. I shouted to her, “Now!”
Jane shot for the passage while I dove for the tree. Yanking it from the roots, I folded the thin trunk in half, and then in half again. It thickened the wood, creating a flexible but strong makeshift club. I didn’t hesitate as the beast flopped onto its stomach and used its furry arm to swipe inside the tunnel after my mate. Striking the two right eyes with my weapon, the beast pulled back its arm and roared. The eyes I struck squeezed shut, but the remaining two whirled to me. I swung again at its throat.
A gurgling howl rent the air. The beast used all four arms to strike, everyone aimed at pummeling me into the ground.
“No,” Jane cried as she emerged from the tunnel and ran for me.
I dove for her, twisting onto my back as I landed to take the impact. The creature struck the dirt where I had stood.I told you to run for the passage.
You did, and I did.She huffed.We didn’t agree I’d stay there.
Before we had time to argue further, the beast turned its large body. Its uninjured eyes zeroed in on us. As we scrambled to our feet, a haunting tune permeated the air. The deep melody mixed with a high-pitched harmony, creating a unified composition.
“What is that?” Jane swayed with the music.
The creature froze in mid-step. Its powerful hind leg sank to the ground. Orange eyelids hung heavy. When it dropped to its knees, it tipped over like a tree falling after being chopped down. The crash of its big body flattened all the nearby vegetation.
From the rocky tunnel, the Calia and Lorn appeared. Their arms were raised to the sky as their bow-shaped mouths emitted the song. When the beast showed no sign of rising, the music ended. The Kinsian couple strode to where Jane and I stood.
“You have passed the third test,” Calia’s soft voice was packed with emotion.
Lorn gave his one-handed clap. “Congratulations.”
