Page 66 of Blood & Claw

A branch hit Kayla in the face, nearly unseating her. Crying out, she flung herself forward against the horse’s neck. She was going too fast. What little control she’d had over her mount had gone. The beast had the bit between its teeth now.

Her escape might end in a broken neck, but that was preferable to whatever her abductors had in store. She’d take her chances.

The ground dipped suddenly, the horse stumbling as it hit a patch of uneven earth. Kayla lurched forward, nearly pitched from the saddle.

And in that instant, they were on her.

A rider burst from the trees to her left, slamming into her mount. Another seized the trailing rope at her wrists and yanked hard.

The horse screamed, rearing.

Kayla lost her seat. She hit the ground hard, the breath blasting from her lungs as the world spun.

Hands grabbed her and dragged her upright before she could fight.

“Troublesome bitch.” Maol’s face, dark with anger, loomed before her. “Haven’t you learned yet?”

Kayla spat blood at his boots. “Never!”

Above them, the Slew screamed again.

“Salt,” Maol snapped.

His companions moved. They dragged Kayla onto a patch of flattened ground as Seoc reached for the leather pouch at his belt, fingers fumbling in haste now as he tore it open.

White grains scattered, forming a ring as the darkness pressed close and the air filled with the sound of beating wings.

“Inside.” Car shoved Kayla forward.

She stumbled into the circle, catching herself before she fell.

The men followed, forming a cage around her, weapons drawn and faces tight. The dark pressed close. From the undergrowth came the sounds: cackling, hissing, the rustle of things moving just beyond sight.

Kayla lifted her chin, peering into the shadows.

Meanwhile, the Slew circled lower, their cries sharpening. One dipped, leathery wings snapping as it passed close overhead.

All of them, Kayla included, crouched in the darkness. Breathless and waiting.

The restless dead came no closer. Whether it was the salt ringing them, or the trees that pressed close, something kept them at bay.

Time slid by, and still no one spoke. The moon rose higher, casting a silvery glow over the world. Her captors shifted restlessly, eyes scanning the dark, blades ready.

And then came a rustle in the undergrowth behind them.

Kayla’s head snapped toward it, just as a shape burst from a wall of brambles. Small and fast.

“Blades up!” Maol shouted.

Too late. The creature slammed into Gerrad, stone blade flashing. He roared, staggering back as blood sprayed.

More followed.

Kayla swore. Trows.

Vicious wee fuckers, all teeth and claws and wild hair. They came in a pack, shrieking, their stone knives hacking.

Chaos erupted, and the circle broke. The salt didn’t stop them—not tonight.