Fuck. We missed it.
It’s muscles bunch, preparing to pounce.
"Sherlock!" I scream, already running.
I slam into Sherlock, shoving him aside with more strength than a human woman my size should possess. I start to turn, drawing my blades to face the attack I know is coming, but I'm not quite fast enough.
Pain explodes through my chest as the stinger-tongue punches through my tactical vest like it's made of paper. It burns. A cold, spreading fire that steals my breath and locks my muscles. I look down in detached fascination at the barbed appendage protruding from just below my collarbone, dripping a clear, viscous fluid mixed with my blood.
Not good.
Sherlock is shouting. Ghost is running toward us.
The Chimera pulls back, yanking its tongue free.
The pain is immediate, overwhelming. My legs give out, and I'm falling. Strong arms catch me before I hit the ground. Sherlock's face swims into view, his expression a mixture of horror and disbelief.
"Astrid? Astrid, stay with me!" His voice sounds far away, muffled.
I try to speak, to warn him that the Chimera is still there, still dangerous, but blood fills my mouth. I can feel my body already fighting the venom, my accelerated healing trying to combat the toxin, but it's so strong. Stronger than anything I’ve ever experienced.
The ground trembles. A howl splits the air. Not the Chimera's roar.
Fen. How is Fen here?
A wolf the size of a small truck crashes through the underbrush. Fen's wolf form is terrifying, magnificent—all rippling muscle and gleaming fangs, his silver-black fur catches the moonlight as he moves. He slams into the Chimera that struck me with the force of a freight train, rolling with the creature in a tangle of limbs and teeth and claws.
They separate, circling each other. But then the second Chimera lunges at its companion, bites down on the back of its neck and shakes it violently.
Through the haze of pain, I stare in confusion. The second Chimera glances in my direction, its red eyes lingering on my wounded chest. What. The. Actual. Fuck.
Fen advances on them both, hackles raised, a continuous growl rumbling from his massive chest. The second Chimera drags the first away, both creatures crashing through the forest. After a moment's hesitation, Fen follows, disappearing into the darkness.
"Shit. Shit. Shit. Astrid?" Ghost rushes to my side, his rifle trained on the spot where they vanished.
"Biggest fucking wolf I’ve ever seen," Sherlock says. “But I’m glad it chased those fuckers off for now. She’s hurt bad.”
"Fuck. Sherlock, she’s—" Ghost kneels beside us, grabbing my wrist and checking my pulse. “She’s not gonna make it.”
"She needs an air lift. Now." Sherlock’s voice sounds far away, underwater.
The poison burns through my veins like liquid fire. My vision blurs, edges darkening. No, not now. Can't pass out. Need to stay awake. Need to explain about Fen.
Sherlock's arms wrap around me, dragging me backward until my spine presses against rough tree bark. He props me there, his face swimming in and out of focus above me.
"Hold on, Astrid." His voice echoes strangely in my ears.
A low growl vibrates through the clearing. Sherlock whirls, snatching up his rifle. Through half-lidded eyes, I see Fen returning, still in wolf form. He stalks toward us, massive paws silent on the forest floor, yellow eyes fixed directly on me.
"Don't," I manage to gasp, blood bubbling between my lips. "Don't... shoot him."
"What?" Sherlock looks down at me, confusion written across his face.
"Don't... shoot." Each word is agony.
"Astrid, that thing is?—"
"Friend," I choke out.
