12. Spirit of the Beast

12

Spirit of the Beast

I haven't had many opportunities to test my fight-or-flight instincts, but just like the last time I was in these woods, I freeze. I clench my eyes shut and brace myself for the impact and the inevitable tearing of my flesh. The last thing I see is the terrifying beast, impossibly large and completely otherworldly.

It's like time slows, and I can feel the beast getting closer and closer, but I am also aware of Jack charging from behind me. Guilt runs through my veins that I subjected him to this horrible fate as well. Something else runs through me. It's like a fire burning in my chest and a pang at the ends of my fingertips. My heart beats fast as if something's about to explode from me.

A shriek brings me back to my awareness. I open my eyes to find Jack on top of the grey beast, his hands around its throat and a dagger deep in the beast's neck just above his grasp.

I can't believe what I'm witnessing. Jack is overpowering the beast, struggling on its back as he wrings the life out of it.

Now that I'm not paralyzed with fear, I can make out the animal more. It almost looks like a wolf, but at least double the size, with glowing eyes. Jack's a big guy, but he looks like a jockey riding a horse on top of the thing.

The beast snaps at Jack's thigh, but he's too quick. He moves his leg back and tightens his grip even more, his face red and strained.

"Jack!" I yell and charge toward him. I don't think I can possibly help, but I can't just stand here and do nothing.

"Stay back!" he yells, and it's not long before the creature weakens, collapsing to the forest floor.

Jack doesn't let up until the animal's body lay completely still and lifeless. He stands, his shirt ripped to shreds, revealing his broad and muscular chest covered in scratches and blood. His face is speckled where it sprayed out from the creature's stab wound. He looks down at his kill as he wipes his lips with the back of his hand, making the blood smear over his beard.

I guess the blood is from the beast, and the scraps don't appear to be deep, but I'm not sure if he's hurt more. I find my voice. "Are you okay?"

His gaze springs to me, and it's like he's just now realizing I was there to witness this. His eyes don't hold the same boyhood sparkle I'm so used to. There's something primal and monstrous swimming within him. He doesn't say anything; he just clenches his jaw and charges for me.

Instinctually, I tense, preparing for him to attack me as well, but he doesn't. When he reaches me, he grabs me by the waist and pulls me to him, kissing me as if he'll die if he stops.

I taste the power on his lips, mixed with the irony tang of the creature's blood. The urgency in him, as if he wants to conquer me too, makes my core heat.

He grabs my ass, and I wrap my legs around him as he walks me back and presses me against a tree. He removes his lips from mine to lean back and rip my shirt open, snapping buttons onto the forest floor. He reaches for my breasts, grabbing them so roughly that I'm sure he'll leave bruises.

This isn't the gentle boy of my childhood dreams. This is a man with the spirit of the beast he's just slain. He's nothing like I remember .

Through the haze of my arousal, a clear thought bursts into my mind. Jack just killed a monster with his bare hands without hesitation.

I push against Jack's chest, and he pulls back. "Jack, wait."

He searches my face, and it's like a light switches on behind his eyes, the darkness fading and consciousness returning to him. "Are you okay?" he asks, running his hand down my face.

"I'm fine, but I think you have some explaining to do. What in the hell just happened, and what the hell was that animal?"

His features drop, and he nods, lowering me to the floor. "I know. Let's go back to my place, and I'll tell you everything. It's not safe out here."

He'll tell me everything? It seems too good to be true, but I guess after what I just witnessed, there's no point in him denying me his secrets anymore.

He grabs my hand and leads me away from the tree.

I can't help but glance at the creature before leaving. The sight shocks me, not because of the death and carnage but because it looks so different from when I looked at it last. It's like it's decaying already. The body growing smaller, and the hair seems to melt away, making it seem almost scrawny .

Jack's voice whips me back to him. "Look." He bends down to me and holds something out to me. "I found your keys."