Page 48 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

Spiran, save me.

It stops abruptly, tilting its head up as it sniffs the air. I hold unbelievably still. But it’s too late. I know the exact moment it spots me.

Beady black eyes latch onto mine, sucking the soul straight from my body with the promise of painful darkness. I’ve never seen a beast so feral as this one.

It charges me, gaining the others’ attention. I swiftly draw my sword, swiping at the first one as I dodge the approaching pair. I twist away, maneuvering until all three are in front of me.

With careful steps, I move backward to put distance between us. Snarls rumble through gnashing teeth as they separate and attempt to surround me.

They shouldn’t be this organized in an attack. This is a hauntingly beautiful development, but no one will know if I die here today.

I can’t die here, not today.

Survival is more important.

This is why I hunt alone.

The beast on my right lurches forward, swinging his black-clawed paws at me. I jump back and to the left to avoid being gutted, but I’m too outnumbered. Too out-manned.

Claws scrape down my back, ripping my skin open. I swing my sword behind me, hitting something solid. Tainted blood splatters against me as another beast slams its forearm across my chest.

I’m knocked sideways, sliding across the damp leaves. I quickly assess my surroundings as I climb to my feet. One beast crows in pain, grabbing at his bloodied nub. On the ground beside it is a very human-looking arm.

What sort of trickery is this?

My arms are fine. There are no other Mongrels or men around.

Later. Think about it later.

I need to escape. I can’t win this battle alone.

A smart hunter knows when to fight and when to retreat.

My chances of outrunning all three of them is slim, but I still turn and dash toward the guards’ route. If I can make it to the trail, I’ll have someone to help me fight them… If they follow me that far.

They gain on me, stomping through the undergrowth. Branches crack and tumble to the forest floor as phantom claws swipe at my back again. I can feel the breeze from the closeness, feel it snag the edges of my torn shirt.

Push.

Push.

My heart beat is a steady drum in my ears as my vision turns to shades of gray.

Left.

I see the guards walking, moving along the route at a maddening crawl. Altering my direction might slow me down, but I don’t see another choice.

Only two of the three beasts trail behind me. There are three Mongrels ahead of me. The beasts will flee against that many warriors.

Faster.

Faster.

My hand slams into a rotting log as I hurl myself over it without slowing my pace. I duck under branches and shove vines away as I near the route.

They’re still behind me, finally lagging as I push until every breath feels like glass slicing through my lungs. Speed isn’t something they can manage for long. They work in bursts, short sprints.

I rush out of the treeline, and stumble to stop as I see a guard speaking to… Talodus and Ada. I stop, turning back as I draw my sword.

Tal curses as Ada gasps, but I pay them no attention as the heavy stomping closes in on us. I swing my sword just as the first beast crests the treeline, plowing into me. Blood trickles onto me as it scrambles away, taking my sword with it. The chunk of metal is useless to me now. I wasn’t able to pull it free from the beast’s chest cavity.

The second beast charges past me, and fear seizes my breaths as I lumber to my feet.

Ada’s knuckles are white as she tightens her grip on her spear.

Talodus and I shout at the same time.

“Throw it now, Ada!”