Shanae chuckles. “Oh, plenty. But shielding’s their specialty. Without them, we’d have been discovered years ago.”
The pathway opens up again, and Solan rejoins me. The invisible pull between us is strong and makes it all but impossible not to peer at him.
His expression is unreadable. “And what about your defences? Beyond the shields.”
Before Shanae can answer, one of her companions—a hulking, tusked creature named Raskar—growls low in his throat. “Why do you care, Pyronox? Planning to burn us down if you don’t like the answers?”
The hostility in his voice is like a slap, and my hackles rise. “Hey,” I snap, stepping between Raskar and Solan. “He’s asking because we’re on your side. Or have you forgotten that already?”
Raskar narrows his beady eyes at me, his lips curling back to reveal sharp teeth. “Trust isn’t given freely, human. Not here.”
“Then maybe you should stop treating us like enemies,” I shoot back, my voice sharp. “We’re here because we don’t have a choice, not because we want to be.”
“Enough,” Shanae cuts in, her voice firm. “Raskar, stand down. Solan’s questions are valid. And if you can’t keep your temper in check, I’ll leave you behind.”
Raskar grumbles something under his breath but falls silent, his tusked head bowing slightly in submission.
“Sorry about that,” Shanae says, her tone softer as she glances at me. “Tensions are high these days. Can’t blame anyone for being on edge.”
I nod, though my shoulders remain tense. Solan’s hand brushes briefly against mine, a silent reassurance that helps ease some of the tightness in my chest.
The jungle grows denser as we continue, the air damp and heavy with the scent of earth and vegetation. Every now and then, I catch glimpses of old structures—crumbling walls overtaken by vines, rusted metal frameworks that hint at a civilization long gone. It’s eerie but also fascinating.
“Where are these from?” I ask, gesturing to a half-collapsed tower we pass.
“Hard to say,” Shanae replies. “Rifts bring all sorts of things through. Could’ve been part of a city from another world or even this one.”
The conversation slows as we press on, the sounds of the jungle filling the silence. Birds call from the treetops, and the occasional rustle of leaves makes my skin prickle with unease.
Then Shanae holds up a hand, signalling us to stop. “We’re coming up on a dangerous stretch,” she says, her voice low. “There’s a predator that hunts this area.”
“What kind of predator?” I ask, my grip tightening on the reins of my horse.
“Something native to this world,” Shanae replies. “Big, fanged thing. Likes to ambush its prey. You’ll know it if you see it. Just stay alert and quiet.”
The group moves cautiously now, every step deliberate. My heart pounds in my chest, the tension in the air palpable. Even Jamie is quiet, his earlier excitement replaced by a wary nervousness.
The jungle seems to hold its breath as we navigate the final stretch. Every shadow feels like a threat, each rustle of leaves a potential attack. But as we step into a small clearing, the tension eases slightly.
“Looks like we’re clear,” Shanae says, her voice barely above a whisper.
I let out a breath, but the relief is short-lived. A low growl rumbles through the air, followed by the sound of snapping branches.
“What was that?” I whisper.
Solan looks intently at me, a tight-lipped smile aimed my way. “If it bleeds, we can kill it.” His hand goes to the hilt of his blade.
The growl is joined by others, and then they’re upon us—a swarm of waist-high creatures with wiry bodies, sharp claws, and teeth that glint like polished knives. This is definitely not the large monster Shanae warned us about. Their eyes glow with a feral intensity, and they move with terrifying speed, their snarls filling the air.
“Jamie, stay back!” I shout, drawing my rifle as my horse rears in panic.
Solan is already in motion, his blade flashing as he cuts down one of the creatures. Shanae and her team form a defensive line, their weapons raised as the mini monsters close in. Fuck, they’re ugly and terrifying.
I’m off Geralt in a beat, my gun coming up instinctively, the weight familiar and comforting in my hands. I fire twice, each shot precise. The first freaky gremlin drops with a shriek, clawing at the bloody hole where its eye used to be. The second stumbles as my bullet catches it in the shoulder, but it doesn’t fall.
Behind me, Jamie cries out as one of the monsters lunges towards him. I pivot, sighting down the barrel in an instant. The report of the shot is deafening, and the creature collapses at Jamie’s feet. He stares at me, wide-eyed, but I don’t have time to reassure him.
“Stay close to Caly!” I bark, already turning back to the fray.
