Book 2 Chapter 8
719 Words
8
Below me, my team is weaving through the sand, Greg flitting above the sleekly moving Jordan, a very happy Hepa on his back. The sun is rising behind us, which is to our advantage. Even if the scorpion is on alert for us, he’s still a nocturnal creature, so the sunlight is our friend.
The pillars loom on the horizon, and sure enough, Hepa must have been right about the scorpion being tasked to guard them. It rises out of the sand, a replay of yesterday.
But this time, I won’t make the mistake of trying to fry it.
It spots my team and dodges, taking a stab with its vicious tail. Jordan lunges one way, then the next, Hepa curled tightly to his back, her face buried between his shoulder blades. The scorpion is fast, but the cat is faster—and he has claws of his own. Jordan gets a decent swipe in but loses his balance due to the extra weight of a healer on his back. The cat rolls, and Hepa is knocked loose.
Greg dives at the scorpion’s eyes, a mad dash that only infuriates the monster. But just like a house fly that won’t stop hovering, it’s the small things that matter.
The scorpion can’t ignore Greg as he dips and dives, buzzing around the little hairs on its body.
Hepa explained it uses these to “see” so Greg messing with them makes the scorpion think there are more of us. It snaps at Greg and for a moment my heart leaps into my throat, but Greg flutters away.
Hepa gets to her feet, and Jordan—in human form now—grabs her hand. They dash toward the pillars together, kicking up sand. I see Hepa reach into her kit for the key, throwing it between the pillars. They light up, and two of my team disappear into the blaze.
“Get out of the way, Greg!” I cry, going in for the grab.
My friend zips out of danger, diving into the light of the pillars. His exit grabs the scorpion’s attention and brings its focus straight up—to me.
I grab its tail, the stinger safely immobilized, but dripping glistening poison. I missed grabbing its claws so I’m dragging a struggling giant scorpion by its tail through the air. It folds its body up, snapping at me. Pain shoots through my forearm, but I don’t drop it.
Instead the next time it lunges I reach in and get one of its pinchers in my other claw. Every muscle in my body struggles, flying with the extra weight, holding on to a mad scorpion, trying to avoid attacks.
I fear I’m about to drop it when we hit the magic barrier and pass through a wall of electricity. I’m fine, but the scorpion convulses and goes limp. It smells…toasty. I don’t know if it’s dead, but I’m not going to take any chances.
I fly directly over the oasis and drop it in the reservoir. Water splashes me, but I don’t mind. It feels fantastic on my back and when I open my mouth, it sizzles on my tongue.
I hover over the area, waiting for the scorpion to emerge, but there’s nothing.
I do a lot of gliding on the way back to the portal, too tired to pump my wings. Every part of me hurts and I’m bleeding. But I don’t care. I just killed a giant scorpion—and I didn’t use fire.
I used my head. I saved my team. I was a leader.
I land in the sand, going to back to human form and doing a little victory dance.
“Oh yeah,” I say, shaking my butt. “Who drowned your creepy nightmare lobster a*s? Edie did, you dumbass sand spider! What’s my name, b***h?” I ask, cupping my hand to my ear.
“Edie! It’s an old lady’s name but this lady’s got—” I fall silent.
Why isn’t Greg saying anything?
He must have gone through without me.
Well, good. That was the plan.
In the silence I am suddenly very aware that the light no longer shines from the pillars around the fountain.
“Oh crap,” I say aloud.
The portal is closed.
- Writer
