The jahgreet leapt suddenly from the bushes and struck a powerful blow on Brian’s back, knocking him from his feet. Riley lunged, thrusting his sword into the creature from behind. The demon howled and spun instantly, rearing up on its two hindmost legs, the unexpected movement tearing the sword from Riley’s grip. The beast had six clawed limbs and seemed to be comfortable moving on two, four, or all six of them. It came at him then, rushing him on four legs and striking with the claws of the other two. Riley blocked the swift blows as well as he could, barely having time to marvel at the creature’s shocking speed and ferocity. It drove him further and further back as he struggled to deflect the blows raining upon him.
jahgreet Riley had to focus too intently on his defense to notice the
