Page 51 of Marc
He landed on his feet in a crouch. He charged at the threader again and sliced into its side.
But before he ducked out of reach, the threader caught his arm in one clawed hand.
Marc tried to yank free, but the monster was too strong. It dragged him closer, squeezing his arm, and I saw the pain on Marc’s face. The knife fell from his fingers.
No. Pulse hammering, I looked around. I spotted a good-sized stick on the ground and lifted it. I sprinted forward, then swung the branch into the monster’s back.
It connected and the monster swiveled. With a low cry, I hit it again.
“Get back, Colbie,” Marc gritted out.
“No.” I swung again.
The threader grabbed the stick. I tried to jerk it free, but it snapped off and I stumbled backward.
Marc rammed a fist into the threader’s face. The monster was still holding his left arm in a punishing grip.
Screw this.“Let him go!” I swung what was left of my stick.
The threader moved, jerking Marc with him, and my branch slammed into his back.
He grunted.
“Sorry!”
The threader’s mouth flared open, and my stomach clenched. It was still holding Marc. He couldn’t get free.
With a cry, I leaped into the monster’s back. Marc punched it again, and the threader twisted his arm. I heard the bone snap.
Marc yelled.
I dug my fingers into the threader’s face. It didn’t have eyes, but the area where they should be was soft and spongy. I jammed my fingers in hard.
It squawked and let Marc go. As he staggered back, it reached up, trying to grab me.
“Colbie, get off there,” Marc yelled.
I looked up. He was standing, his left arm hanging loosely at his side. As I watched, he bent and scooped his knife off the ground. His face was set like stone.
I jumped off the threader and landed badly. I went down on one knee.
Marc advanced on the monster. It was still shaking its head from my attack.
He leaped into the air, and drew back his good arm.
They collided, and he rammed the knife into the center of the threader’s face.
The screech was ear-splitting. I winced.
Then Marc was there, hauling me up.
“Time to go.”
A low, familiar rumble pulsed through the air.
I grinned. “Marc, the Talon’s close.”
He nodded. “Run into the trees.”
