Page 103 of Journey to the Elderoak
Unable to control its blood lust any longer, one dove for him. He rolled out of the way and turned, raising his hands and encasing it in the trap.
“Now!” he yelled, but Ava was already there, faster in her new body. A crunch sounded as her sword impaled it, the creature now twitching. Dead.
Two more left.
“Are we doing that again?” she asked, breathless.
“No. They learn. They won’t fall for it a second time.”
One of them dove for her, the one whose leg she had dismembered, and hauled her into the air.
“Shit,” he said as he ran after it, the other insect chasing him.
She screamed in anger and determination as he rushed to help.
But she didn’t need him. She pulled out her dagger and shoved it into the belly above her, slicing it open and spilling its guts. The creature let go and Casimir ran, catching her before she hit the ground.
“Gross,” she said, picking innards out of her hair.
He set her on her feet. One insect left.
Casimir scanned the forest, when out of nowhere it appeared behind him and bit into his shoulder. Ava screamed and he bellowed as its pincers pierced his flesh, a searing sensation tearing through his muscle.
Ava tried stabbing it with her dagger, but it let go and flew out of reach.
“Are you okay?” she asked, eyes filled with terror.
“Fine,” he grumbled.
Reaching for his magic, he turned to the creature and triedto grow vines to entangle it midair. Nothing. He felt nothing. He tried reaching for his astral magic, but he was empty. As if his magic didn’t even exist.
He cursed under his breath as he pulled out his sword with his uninjured arm.
“What?” Ava said, voice panicked. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t access my magic. Their poison must nullify it.”
“Shit.”
The creature dove for them again, but they dodged it. Pride flared through him at the ease which Ava rolled away like he’d taught her.
His shoulder throbbed in time with his heartbeat. An incessant thumping spread down his arm. Lightheaded, he wondered how they would kill the creature, when Aro emerged from the woods beside him.
You got yourself bitten,Aro said.
“Thank you for pointing out the obvious.”
You’re lucky I’m here since you obviously couldn’t handle this yourself.
Casimir glowered at his companion.
Aro huffed and stood on his hind legs, swiping at the insect. But it was too high, staying out of the bear’s reach. Ava faced the insect with determination on her face, retrieved her dagger, and held out her palm.
“Ava…what are you doing?”
Stop your worrying. The princess and I will take care of this abomination,Aro said.
Ava cut her hand, holding it out to taunt the creature. “Don’t you want me?” she said to the monster. “Don’t you want to take me back to your queen?”
