“It was fun!” I exclaim, the adrenaline still coursing through me. “Who knew acting like a total maniac could be so exciting?” I grin, still catching my breath.
“Yeah, I told you it would be fun.” Sandra nods with satisfaction. We fall into a comfortable silence as we walk, enjoying the calm. The snarlbrocs’ rhythmic, lazy movement is almost hypnotic. I never would have guessed that I’d find peace in a place so devoid of people... and, well, shopping malls.
“So, where are we taking them?” Sandra asks after a while, her gaze fixed on the herd ahead.
Celutok barks at a straggler before turning to answer. “Over the next hill. There’s a volcanic moss field they love to graze on. Keeps them healthy.” He points toward the rocky rise in the distance. “It’s my trade secret, so don’t tell anyone.” He chuckles.
“I doubt anyone would believe us,” I reply. No one back on Earth would believe any of the crazy stuff that’s happened to us. And here on Klendathor? Well, Dracoth would just grunt and lift a rock or something—such a meathead.
Celutok’s tone shifts as he glances toward the sky. “Did I mention the arrohawks?”
I stiffen. The ominous name and his sudden wariness send a jolt of unease through me.
“Um, no...” I say slowly, following his gaze up to the sky, where hazy purple sunlight struggles to break through the thick, obsidian clouds. “What are they—evil birds or something?”
Celutok chuckles darkly, still scanning the heavens. “Something like that. Big flying predators. Fast as sin. They can carry off two snarlbrocs in a single swoop. Lost a few of the herd to one a couple of years back.”
I emit a short, nervous laugh. Trying to picture what size a ‘bird’would need to be to lift two snarlbrocs—the conclusion hitches my breath.
“Wait, what?” I glance between Celutok and Sandra. “Are you saying some giant fucking bird monster could show up and eat us?”
Celutok grins—I think it’s supposed to be reassuring, but I only feel my anger simmering that I’ve been led out like a cute little lamb for possible dragon chow.
“It’s rare they penetrate the hunter borders,” he says, his gaze shifting to me. “But there’s always a chance they miss one.”
“Wonderful,” I say, dripping with sarcasm, suddenly wishing these snarlbrocs would move faster. Like, alotfaster, so I can get back to the safety of my nice cozy mountain.
“What do we do if one shows up?” Sandra asks, her voice tense as her grip tightens on her stone spear.
“You females hide under an outcrop.” Celutok waves a dismissive hand, as if that solves everything. “But it’s so rare I regret bringing it up. Please, forget I said anything.”
Easy for him to say. They’ll probably eat me first because I’m so plump. Isn’t that what that creepy Ignixis kept calling me?
He was such a rude prick.
Suddenly, an ear-piercing shriek, like a wraith, freezes me on the spot. My heart almost leaps out of my chest.
No way? Really?My eyes shoot to the sky, but there’s nothing there.
“What’s happening?” I ask, frantically scanning the area.
Celutok frowns, glancing around. “Sounds like an arrohawk, but there’s nothing in sight.” His eyes widen. “Void! The herd’s scattering!”
He leaps into action, shouting and waving his spear, trying to corral the snarlbrocs. Another shriek rips through the air,coming somewhere from the left, and I cringe at the awful sound.
The snarlbrocs panic, slithering in all directions, just as spooked as I am.
Sandra and Celutok race around the snarlbrocs, trying to keep them under control, but it’s chaos. My heart pounds as I watch the blue-shelled snarlbroc—Micheal—squirming to the left, further afield than the others.
I rush after him. “Come back, Micheal!” I shout at his back.
God, this is just like our toxic relationship.
The snarlbroc doesn’t listen—Micheal never listened either. He’s driven with surprising speed by another deafening shriek that sounds disturbingly close now.
Micheal rounds a massive boulder and I lose sight of him, almost slipping on his mucus trail in my frantic chase.
Hot ash warms my lungs as I gulp for air, struggling to keep up. I round the boulder and finally spot Michael, stopped at least, relief flooding through me.
