Page 6 of Forsaken Secrets

I'd barely caught my breath when a rock rattled behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see the gremlyns pouring out of the tunnel.

Gods! Did they never give up?!?

I stumbled to my feet, cursing under my breath at my burning muscles.

The purple-haired one lead the pack and opened her mouth wide to let out another of those high-pitched screams. The sound echoed around the cove as dozens more gremlyns poured out of small caves on the beach, quickly surrounding me.

I cast a glance at the cliff and the rope hanging there, back-up bait ready. Almost. I was almost there!

A cawing sound drew my attention to the sky. A gorgeous blue revyn, all four feathered wings spread, swooped towards me. Its hooked, orange beak stood out starkly against the grey skies behind it as it extended two feet full of sharp talons straight towards me.

The sight sent a surge of fear through my chest.

What was a revyn doing here?

Heart racing, I covered my head and braced myself, ready for those sharp talons to tear into my skin.

Instead, a loud splash sounded to my right.

I looked up in time to watch the revyn latch onto a gremlyn, carry it to the water, and drop it in.

My jaw dropped.

A revyn to the rescue? What in the seven hells?!?

The rest of the gremlyns screeched furiously, confused between which enemy they should chase.

I took the opportunity and sprinted to my rope.

Who knew why the revyn was helping me, but damn if I wouldn't take advantage of it!

A loud screech made me look over my shoulder. The whole throng of gremlyns had split themselves into two groups.

One half was rushing at the swooping revyn while the other half chased after me again!

The gremlyn's angry chattering grew louder as I leaped onto the rope and climbed up to where the bag of fish hung. I slipped the knife from my sleeve and tore it free.

Gouging open the side, I tried not to gag at the stench as I threw the contents as far as I could into the ocean.

Gods. I hope the guards were right!

The gremlyns didn't even pause. They moved up the rock wall faster than I could climb the rope. Within seconds they were close enough that the small red veins in their bright white eyes were visible.

The purple-haired one was the closest to me. She let out a low growl and jumped up towards my feet.

Yelping, I pulled my legs up just in time to send her flying towards the wall. She caught a root and swung there for a few seconds before using it to pull herself back up.

I climbed that rope as fast as my exhausted body would take me.

Come on. Come on! I needed to move faster!

Teeth and claws ripped into my shoes and pants, shredding the leather like it was butter.

I kicked wildly, but a few clung tight.

This wasn't going to work! And my back-up plan didn't seem to be working, either!

A splash in the water drew my attention. Oh gods. Had they actually come?

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