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Another ear-splitting roar cracks the air. It’s closer than before. Probably only ten feet away.
Technically, the prince can’t use his powers, but that doesn’t stop him from pushing me behind him as the largest lion I’ve ever seen comes prowling around the trees. He’s the size of a horse, with a mane of shaggy wheat colored hair two shades darker than his pelt.
I thought I was prepared for the chimera. But there’s nothing that could have readied me for his immense size, the predatory power oozing from his graceful body. Muscles ripple beneath his golden fur like living things trying to escape.
From his back, a white goat’s head bleats at us.
As the beast pads lazily toward us, his tail whips back and forth behind him, hissing. I spot the snake head at the end, the retreating sunlight glancing off the dark green and yellow scales.
“There’s our snake,” I whisper, shoving my way to the front. I retrieve the vial from my pocket and slip it into his hand.
Before the prince can stop me, I approach the creature, the golden flute pressed to my lips. My heart spirals into my belly. The sound of my gasping breaths drowns out everything else.
“Hey, kitty-cat,” I coo. “Listen to this pretty song and don’t eat me, okay?”
In my head, I walk up to the chimera playing the flute like the badass I am, and he falls asleep at my feet. It’s supposed to be the defining moment of my life, a cool story to brag about for eternity.
But that’s not what happens at all.
40
The chimera growls, and I can feel the vibrations from that low rumble inside my bones. Closing my lips around the flute, I blow—
I don’t see the chimera’s paw until it’s too late. Claws snag the flesh of my shoulder, the force of his swat sending me tumbling toward the cliff. The flute jerks from my fingers. The prince calls my name.
Grabbing onto whatever I can hold, I stop my body a foot before the edge of the cliff. Fire rushes up my shoulder; a quick glance shows my sweater is shredded, furrows dug into my skin. Blood darkens the blue sleeve, turning it a soft purple.
“Run,” the prince orders. He stands between the chimera and me, one hand held up like a lion tamer. “Summer, get out of here.”
Ignoring him, I search for the flute. It must have rolled over the side of the cliff, and I find it on a ledge three feet down. Without hesitation, I leap below to grab it.
Don’t look down don’t look down . . .
Once the flute is safely in my hands, I glue myself to the side of the cliff. Rocks dislodged by my boots clatter ten stories below. Nausea clenches my stomach, my hands sweaty and clammy as I drag myself back up the cliff. Thankfully, adrenaline numbs the pain in my shoulder.
At the sight of me, surprise flickers across the prince’s face. The chimera must notice the prince’s focus shift, and he lunges.
A scream sparks in my chest. I shove the flute into my mouth and blow. The first two times nothing happens. Finger holes! Hands shaking, I adjust my sweat-slick grip so my fingers cover the holes and try again.
The moment I blow into the instrument, a sound fills the air. The most angelic, comforting tune I’ve ever heard. I almost stop, sure there’s no way my lips are making something so enchanting. The lion’s body grows rigid and then, slowly, sluggishly, he sits back on his hindquarters.
His bright honey-gold eyes are half-slits, a strange green glow emanating from them. Even though I know lions can’t smile, his feline lips are curved upward, his floppy pink tongue lolling to the side.
It’s working!
I draw closer as the prince glides around to his hind end. The raverous snake tail slides back and forth on the ground, but it too seems lulled by the music.
Drawing the vial out, he carefully secures the snake by its neck. The snake hisses, he slides the vial beneath its curved fang, and it’s done.
When he joins me, I notice the claw marks across his chest where the beast raked him. I try not to stare at the metallic silver blood dripping from his wounds. The sight nearly makes me stop playing the flute, but I keep my breaths coming despite my shock. “The moment you stop playing,” he whispers, “we need to scale back down the cliff.” His gaze darts to my injured shoulder. “Can you climb?”
I nod.
His eyes narrow like he doesn’t believe me. There’s something strange about them, the silver band of iris tinged green—like the chimera’s.
His voice is soft as he begins to count.
One, two, three . . .
