I thought he’d turn and move around them, but instead he grew bigger until he was easily able to move over the trees without touching them. He was so big, I had to pull my legs up to sit cross-legged because if I kept them out, I’d end up doing the splits.
Danzig moved his legs to either side of me and let out awhoop.
Mason swooped down, holding Julia in one arm and tapping Pike on the back with his free hand. Pike grunted and stumbled with surprise. Before he fell on his face, Marduk put himself next to the bear and kept him steady. Then he shot his tail in the air and tapped Mason on the ass.
Well, no, tap wasn’t the correct word. Slap was a better description, especially after I heard the sharp shout Mason let out before laughing uproariously and flying further away.
“It’s not a game of chase, it’s a game of tag,” I announced.
With his balance back, Pike sat back on his furry bear ass and looked up at us. I couldn’t tell what his expression meant, but Danzig chuckled.
“No, you still don’t get to ride on Marduk,” he said.
“Can you communicate with him like you do with Marduk?” I asked.
“No,” Danzig said. “Pike’s face is as expressive in bear form as he is in human form. Once you’ve spent some time aroundvarious shifters, you’ll get a better feel for what they’re saying with their animal faces and movements.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I said. Marduk was still massive, so when a large wolf was able to jump on his head right in front of us, I let out a surprised gasp.
The wolf did a quick play bow, then jumped back down. I looked over and realized there was a small shed hidden by some trees. He’d jumped up the tree, then the roof, then onto Marduk.
In response to the wolf’s actions, Marduk lifted himself up and up. Soon we were about three stories high, looming over all the wolves and bears below us.
I should be terrified. That was a long drop and certain death, but instead I was thrilled. My heart was pounding with excitement.
“I’m queen of the world!” I yelled down at everyone.
Mason flew past us. “Welcome to Clover Pack territory, Queen of the Serpents!” he shouted.
Marduk lifted us even higher and neither Danzig or I could keep hold of his back. We started slipping off, and my exhilaration turned to terror. I clutched at Marduk, but there was nothing for me to grab.
“Danzig!” I screamed in fear.
He didn’t answer me, but I heard clothes ripping, and Danzig’s arms were replaced with a loop of emerald scales around my waist.
With a gasp, I looked behind me to find that Danzig had shifted into his snake form, except much smaller than Marduk. He was holding me in the center of his long, python-sized body and the rest of it was wrapped around Marduk to keep us on him.
The silliest Dr. Seuss themed song popped into my head:
One snake,
Two snake,
Big snake,
Hugesnake!
I almost snorted. It’s strange what your brain comes up with after a near-death experience.
I hugged the coil around me. “Thank you!”
He moved his head close to mine and flicked his tongue out against my cheek.
While all this was happening, Marduk was slowly lowering us to the ground. He must’ve realized he’d gone a little too far, but it was fine because Danzig was there to catch what Marduk missed.
After we were lowered down, Marduk shrank himself until I could drape my legs over each side of him again. He coiled most of his body around us, as if to shield us from the world. Then he rested his head on the ground and made a soft hissing sound.
I knew it was an apology. I didn’t know how, but I could tell.
