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Withered, wrinkled skin, surrounded a black curled beak and beady yellow eyes. Black feathers covered the sinewy arm that held me, but not the head. The creature’s bald head reminded me of the vultures that ate the dead things near the mountain pass in the North. Those were tiny compared to the thing that held me. This thing had to be at least eight feet tall.
It brought me to its nose where it dragged its bony beak across my neck. “Magiccccc.”
I twisted in its grasp. “Let me go!”
With its other hand, it swiped a claw across my forehead, ripping the skin open. I screamed at the pain and kicked the creature in the stomach.
Unphased by my attempts to attack, it held me out of reach with one arm and put the bloody claw in its mouth. Its eyes glowed bright, almost golden, and it hissed.
“Eleeemeentaallll.” The way it groaned out the word made my fight or flight instincts kick in. “Youuu will diiieee herrreee.”
It bit into my forearm and began drinking my blood. Screaming, I swung my legs back and forth, kicking as hard as I could and using my body as a pendulum. The creature sucked on my skin, a strange tingling running through my body, making my head dizzy. Blood slid down my arm and I swung my legs, desperately trying to dislodge myself.
Nausea filled my body, and I knew that if this thing drank anymore, whatever poison it infected me with would kill me. Suddenly, it screeched and dropped me, hissing at my blood, and shaking its head.
“You taste like firreeeee.”
I landed hard on the stone, scrambled to my feet and sprinted toward the open balcony. The creature roared and trampled over to me. I gripped the leg of the stone banister of the balcony just as the creature grabbed my legs.
“No!” I kicked at the claws ripping my skin.
The robes had fallen and standing over me was some mix of human-bird creature, twice my size and more powerful than anything I’d ever encountered. Massive black wings unfurled from its back as it stood to its full height.
All Father protect me.
“Rosalie!” I heard Baine’s voice call from outside.
The yell distracted the creature for a moment, and I kicked myself free from its grasp. I pulled myself up and leaned over the balcony. Baine stood on the ground outside.
“Here! I’m here! There’s something—”
My words were cut off as claws wrapped around my neck, squeezing me. “Youuuu will not escapppeee. I willlll feeed.”
Baine’s face twisted in shock and fear. He was too far from me and not even his speed could reach me now.
The creature lifted me off the ground, holding me by my neck. My flame flickered, desperate to escape, but even the slight heat emanating from my body did nothing to stop the thing clutching me.
“You will do no such thing.” Lord Demious’ voice sounded behind me.
Relief filled me.
I was saved.
I smiled at Baine, knowing I would be okay.
And then the creature let me go.
Right over the balcony.
