If only we could pick our human partner…
I took deep breaths, leading now. My animal and I seemed to be getting better about who took the reins when. Still, I kinda wished she’d picked this moment.
More deep breaths, sending much-needed oxygen into my blood. I had my animal’s power, lending strength and speed. Dulling the pain a little. Not enough, though. This was going to be hairy.
“Do you speak?” I asked, because it was a great stalling technique. “Take me to your leader.”
The one in front gnashed its teeth and made a nack-nack-nack sound. It was a little better than the “ha-ha-ha” from the other guy, but not much. Sludge oozed down its chin.
“Right, okay,” I said softly, testing their limits. I walked forward slowly. The configuration of the creatures immediately changed, moving with me, continuing to box me in. I’d just encouraged them to tighten the circle.
Nothing for it, then.
I charged, sprinting at the one on the side. Surprisingly, it pulled back, creating space between us. The ones that used to be front and back rushed in, flanking me. I changed direction immediately, slashing right with a knife that was much too small for the situation. The blade sailed through empty air. The creature dashed in and swiped at me. I staggered back but turned as I did, sticking out my knife. The blade sank into the ribs of the one that had planned to score its claws across my back.
“Suck it, fucker,” I said, grabbing its bony shoulder and pulling it forward. It stomped, off balance. I slipped behind and stabbed three times quickly and in any old area, watching the others reconfigure.
How smart are these bastards, do you reckon? I thought.
They are pack animals, obviously, and they are clearly good at hunting prey. They also clearly underestimated you.
Yeah. That’s what I was thinking. Balls.
Breathing heavily, I intended to use the dying one as a shield, but its legs gave out. It flopped to the ground, not dead but not willing to serve as my super-handy shield.
They tried to skitter around me to cage me in, but I back-pedaled, keeping them in front. I caught more whiffs from behind.
Don’t tell me—
There are three behind us, my animal said. They are a good predator.
And I was turning into serious prey.
I tried to switch direction, but they switched with me. I turned and ran, but one jumped out of the trees to stop me. The ones behind closed in.
I kept going anyway, charging the one in front. Nearly to it, I turned around and struck the one I could feel dashing up behind me. I knew how they worked, and my sense of danger was on it, not to mention Finley Number Two. The creatures on the side pushed in. I spun to get in a jab at the one that was now behind me, only to spin back around to take another stab at the first. They were one step behind me, which was great, except they weren’t going down from just one jab with the knife. I wasn’t thinning the numbers.
My breath came out in ragged puffs, and my injured right hand wouldn’t hold the knife anymore. I wasn’t as good with my left.
Once again, I faced them down, looking for an alternative. Trying to figure out a way. Knowing I likely wouldn’t. Leaving the castle like that had clearly been the last mistake of my life.
14
I was readying myself to strike again when something yanked on my middle, like someone plucking a bowstring. Power thrummed through me, caught and held by my animal.
Stay alive, she said. The alpha is coming.
Excitement and relief and hope boiled within me. I sucked in air and steadied myself. The pulse of fresh power blocked out some of my pain, so I transferred my knife to my stronger right hand. The balmy smell of pine and lilac with a hint of honeysuckle reached me, Nyfain treading silently closer. Aiming to surprise my attackers.
The creature on my right moved forward slowly, warily. I stood my ground. If I went to it, the one on the opposite side would close in. The other way, and the rest would tighten up.
Its progress slowed. Then slowed further. I sensed fast movement from behind and rushed forward to stab the one directly in front of me. I turned as the one on the right moved in. Its blackened fingertips elongated into claws at the last second, heading for my arm.
Nyfain’s massive beast exploded through the trees. He reduced down into a man while on the run, reaching me right as the fingers finished their swipe through the air. He grabbed me in his strong arms and turned, showing the creature his back. I heard his intake of breath, felt him tense, as the blow landed.
“No, Nyfain—！”
He bodily tossed me, throwing me up and over the tightening circle of creatures. I fell on my side and rolled, my wounds crying out and new bruises springing up all over my body. The creatures rushed in as he increased in size back to his beast. Another swipe scraped harmlessly across the scales of his mighty foot. He stomped on one, flattening it. Then another, all the creatures conveniently close together and easy for him to take out. They quickly figured that out, though, and increased their circumference.