3
Red
Cade and I barely had time to take a step back and dodge the attack as two monsters—complete with dark gray skin, visible black veins, and snakelike red eyes—rushed us, their claws aiming at our heads, and their jagged teeth snapping toward our necks.
I forced the wind around us to funnel into the attackers. It didn’t stop them, but it made them stumble to the side, giving Cade and me a breathing moment.
“What the rake?” Cade asked. He moved up his hands and ice formed around the monsters’ legs, trapping them in place. The monsters fought against the ice but couldn’t break free. Cade withdrew his sword and pressed the tip of the blade to the chest of the nearest monster. “What are you doing here? How did you cross the barrier?”
“W-we are running,” the monster said, his voice cli
