As if I didn’t know that already. But the predator wasn’t looking at him, it was looking at me. The silver eyes locked onto mine, a deep growl rumbling from its throat. My muscles tensed, every instinct screaming to fight, to run.
Instead, I breathed, forcing my racing heart to steady. Gripping his forearm with one hand, I planted my boot against the trunk of the tree behind me. Then I moved.
With a sharp shove, I kicked off the tree and twisted midair, driving both boots into his head. His grip slackened just enough for me to wrench free, and I rolled clear, my dagger glinting as I rose to face him.
The man staggered upright, blood dripping from a fresh gash on his temple. His expression wavered between frustration and disbelief.
“You’re insane,” he muttered.
“No,” I snapped. “Just not willing to be your shield.”
The vuk growled again, prowling closer, its shadow stretching across the frost-covered ground. Its gaze shifted between us, as though deciding which one of us to kill first. My grip tightened on my dagger, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough.
The man stepped in front of me, his broad back blocking my view of the beast. “Stay behind me,” he ordered.
I bristled and pushed out from behind him. “I don’t take orders from Liriens.”
“Then try not to get yourself killed,” he shot back, drawing the sword strapped to his back. He held it with the ease of someone who knew exactly how to use it.
The vuk lunged.
My pulse spiked, but before I could react, the creature slammed me to the ground. Air fled my lungs as the crushing weight pinned me, claws digging into my shoulders and thighs. The trees above blurred as I struggled for air, a sharp ringing in my ears.
Just as suddenly, I sucked in a ragged breath, the pain of it nearly blacking out my vision.
Saliva dripped onto my neck, searing like acid. Silver eyes bored into mine, pupils black and deep, as if they led to some endless abyss. A faint yellow glowed within them, an unnatural light that sent a chill through my core.
What is that?
I’d never seen eyes like that.
The man’s blade sliced through the air, glancing off the beast’s scaled side with a dull thunk. The creature snarled, unfazed, its fetid breath filling my nose. I thrashed against its hold, but the claws only sank deeper, and I screamed.
Oh gods.
Beneath the black fur, scales armored its body like a dragon’s. They were impossible to kill—not that I’d ever been worried before.
Vuks didn’t attack Viori. Ever.
They were sharply intelligent and respected us as much as we did them.
Maybe it’s not me it’s after.
With a roar, the man barreled into the beast, locking his arms around its thick neck. The impact knocked the vuk off me. I scrambled backward, gasping, my body trembling as I reached for my dagger.
The vuk snapped at the man, its fangs inches from his face, but he didn’t let go. Wedging his knees beneath its belly, he kept it from pinning him outright. Blood soaked his tattered shirt, bright streaks spilling from gashes across his chest and arms. Still, he held on, muscles straining against the creature’s immense power.
I couldn’t just stand there.
Gripping my dagger, I lunged. The blade struck the vuk’s side, searching for a weak spot between its scales, but skidded off harmlessly, the impact jarring my arm. Useless.
The Lirien groaned, guttural and raw, as the vuk’s claws raked across his torso again. Desperation surged through me. If he died, I’d be next.
A new plan took shape. While he grappled with the vuk, I darted to its flank, searching for an opening. The beast was locked on its prey, giving me a chance. I aimed for the exposed joint near its hind leg and drove my dagger in with all my strength.
The vuk howled, the sound splitting through the forest. Its massive body twisted, nearly throwing the Lirien off. But he used the distraction. With a shout, he drove his sword upward, the blade piercing the vuk’s chest in a perfect strike.
The creature shuddered, its silver eyes going wide before dulling. The massive body collapsed, the Lirien trapped beneath it.
