9. Kerry

Chapter 9

Kerry

N evarn had just gone Seal Team 6 on the two creatures, leaving me to face the single one—assuming a fourth wasn't slinking toward us from a different direction.

My heart pounded like a battering ram at a fortress gate and cold sweat burst through my skin to trickle down my spine. Time slowed as the creature's orange eyes locked onto mine.

I barely had time to send an arrow toward the single culendar and notch another. It bounded toward me, yelping when my aim hit true, driving the sharp tip into its right thigh.

Drawing another arrow from my pack, I notched it and let it fly, hitting the relentless beast in the shoulder. The tip deflected off its scaly hide, but it broke the creature's stride. It paused, pacing and whining.

My heart pounded so fiercely I worried it would burst from my chest. Icy terror gripped me tight, and every tiny hair stood up on my body.

I'd spent my first night here crafting arrows and a bow from the perfect branch and the tourniquet I kept in my first aid pack.

I wasn't great with a knife, though I kept one in a sheath at my side, one I'd handed to Nevarn when we first started walking. I'd practiced for years with a bow and arrow. Guns too—thanks, Mom.

But this threat? I shook, worried I wouldn't make it out of this alive.

No wonder Nevarn was worried about leaving me alone.

The culendar stopped pacing, facing me with wary eyes. A glance over my shoulder showed one of the other two lying on the trail with Nevarn's spear through its throat and the second trying to circle around him to hamstring him from behind. Or come at me. Smaller, I'd be seen as the easier target.

I snapped my focus back to the one still advancing on me. Fear gripped me, raw and primal, and I swore the ground trembled with the beast's every step, its growl vibrating through my bones.

With only two arrows left, one already in my bow, ready to fly, and the other in the sheath, I had to make sure each shot counted. Since its scaled hide had deflected my arrow, its thighs and throat must be the most vulnerable spots.

With a burst of speed, it leaped toward me. I sighted and let my third arrow go, pulling the fourth before the prior one hit. I groaned when it deflected off the beast's chest.

Adrenaline surged through my veins, heightening every sense. Panic clawed at my mind, but I would not give in. The seconds stretched as terror tightened its hold on my lungs.

The culendar slowed and whined, shooting a glance to its right. Did a fourth lurk in the bushes, poised to attack the moment my guard was down?

I lifted my bow, determined to make this final arrow fly true. Snarls and grunts rang out behind me, but I didn't dare look in Nevarn's direction. The most important battle I faced was between me and this solitary creature.

It growled and stalked toward me.

Thuds echoed around us, heavier than ones the beast ahead of me might make, so maybe not a fourth. Nevarn? No, it must be—

The culendar jumped toward me.

Something at least ten feet tall and dingy purple burst out onto the path behind the culendar. I gaped at the furry creature reminiscent of an abominable snowman right down to its terrifying claws and jagged fangs. It scrambled toward the culendar on its hind legs, its long, thickly furred arms reaching out. One swipe, and it grabbed the culendar, lifting it. It bit down on the culendar's head and ripped it off, tossing it to the side. Then it shot me a look that said don't come near my meal before it started gnawing on the culendar's torso.

My belly surged up into my throat, and I whirled around and raced toward Nevarn. He'd killed the second culendar and had started toward me.

Snatching me up in his arms, he bolted into the thick brush on the side of the trail. Once behind a cluster of tall, thorny bushes, he ducked down, gently lowering me to my feet. His fingertip landed on my mouth, but if he thought I would start chattering now, he was gravely mistaken.

We watched, barely breathing, as the purple abominable continued munching on the culendar. It glanced around before stomping over to the two Nevarn had killed. One bite, and another head went flying, this one skidding across the ground to land not far from my right foot. I gulped, trying not to throw up, and tightened my grip on my bow.

With the third culendar clutched in its big paws, the abominable strode into the thick bushes on the other side of the trail, weaving around the enormous trees until it disappeared from view.

Nevarn finally stood, tugging me up with him. "What were you saying about protecting yourself in my world?"

I could kick him for being snarky, except he only spoke the truth.

"I guess I'll stay with you for a while," I said.