Page 16 of Knave

“Ah yes, the lovely plan.” She smiled, nudging his arm with hers. “Do tell me more about it.”

“Imagine this.” He smiled wide, tiptoeing his fingers across his palm. “We get the fuck out of here for a week and—”

In the distance, a piercing wail reverberated, interrupting Ferris. They both stopped and Mouse squinted, catching sight of arrows soaring through the sky from the city. The next roar shook the trees, followed by blood-curdling screams. And then she saw the creature darting through the sky, its leather wings cracking like thunder.

The Jabberwocky.

Chapter Seven

Ferris

Mouse tensed beside Ferris as the massive beast circled closer, practically overhead, its leather wings beating so hard the wind whipped the branches of trees. He could practically feel the predatory gaze scrape against him where they stood on the far side of the moat outside the palace. It sent a shiver down his spine and he reached out to touch Mouse, to remind himself she was beside him and safe. Knowing she was okay allowed him to steel himself against the danger. To be the guard he was trained to be.

This is the Jabberwocky.The roaring beast could be nothing else—especially with the quills poking out from its fur. The same as the one he’d found near the lake.

A volley of arrows soared through the sky from the palace turrets just as screams rose up from the streets. The Jabberwocky tilted, avoiding being hit, and dove for the center of the city, landing with a boisterous thud. Ferris remembered the quill hidden inside the large vase just inside the main doors. Remembered and regretted listening to that bastard Chess. Ferris had seen what happened to someone who was killed by the creature. Seen that practically nothing was left of them with bits and pieces strewn about the blood-soaked grass.

“We have to stop it from destroying the city,” Maddie called, bursting from the palace and racing across the bridge to them.

As Ferris looked again toward the hideous beast with its deep green, almost black, fur, quills, rows of sharp teeth, talons, wings, and barbed tail, he had only one thought:How?He’d seen many things in the Ruby Heart Palace. All sorts of torture. Brutal murders. Everything in between and beyond. But he’d only heard tales of the Jabberwocky—and everyone seemed to agree on one thing. If you see the legendary monster of Wonderland, run … and hope your friends are slower than you.

“Mouse!” Maddie cried and swept her into a quick hug. “I’m sorry for earlier, but we have other matters to deal with as you can see. Here.”

Ferris forced his gaze away from the monster to find Maddie handing Mouse a bow and arrows. “Do you know how to use that thing?” he asked.

“Of course.” Mouse swung the quiver of arrows over her shoulder. “I should already know, but what weapon are you best with?”

“Preferably a gun.” Swords and arrows were fine, but he was more of a modern-weapon guy.

Maddie produced a gun, having seemed to suspect his answer, and held it out to him. “Silver bullets won’t save our arses like they did with the werewolves, but they’ll still hurt like hell.”

Ferris took it from her and flicked off the safety. The weight felt good in his hand, powerful. Deadly. When he looked up, he noticed Maddie and Noah each held a matching gun as well.

“Hurry,” Maddie urged the group.

Guards were already filing from other palace entrances, swords drawn, arrows nocked, and Maddie and Noah raced after them. Didi and Mock led the group, their bright white uniforms soft in the moonlight. Following suit, Ferris took off for the city where screams seemed to rattle the windows. The sound mingled with the monstrous roars and his racing pulse, creating chaos inside his head.

“Come on, slowcoaches!” Didi yelled back at them, and Mouse smirked.

Running against the crowd, Ferris pivoted and jumped to avoid colliding with those fleeing. It was every vampire for themself as they tore down the streets. A blonde female fell and curled onto her side when a male stepped on her chest. More feet pummeled against her lithe body, marring her white suit. Ferris shifted between vampires with the intent to help her up, but she beat him to the punch the moment a pocket formed between citizens. Blood trickled down her forehead, the sweet copper scent quickly filling the air, but she wasted no time disappearing between shops.

The ground vibrated with another growl when Ferris and his friends neared the city center. Quills poked above the tops of buildings as the Jabberwocky reared up. Its wings stood high and proud. And the stench…Bloody hell, the smell.A mixture of wet dog and rot permeated the air, burning his nostrils. Ferris drew in a shallow, steadying breath.Damn.The beast was even bigger up close.

When they reached the edge of the town center to fully face the Jabberwocky, Mouse released an arrow. The projectile hit its back leg and bounced away, but the Jabberwocky didn’t even flinch. Just turned slowly, eyes narrowed, and slammed a taloned furred foot down on the granite fountain.

A loudcrunchsounded as the stone crumbled to dust. Water flowed between the cobblestones, carrying away rivulets of blood that dripped from a mangled body clutched in the beast’s talons. He hadn’t noticed it until just then—the top of the head was barely visible between the beast’s claws, strands of dark hair trailing over the beast’s fur.

Another arrow flew, singing through the air as a dozen more followed from the guards that had caught up. All projectiles hit. All bounced harmlessly away. Mock aligned two arrows onto his bowstring at once and let them soar. “This isn’t working,” he called out.

“Bollocks,” Mouse mumbled. “We need something stronger.”

“Fuck,” Noah hissed.

Mock was right—the Jabberwocky didn’t even seem to care they were attacking it. They were no match against this bloody thing. Not without better weapons, not without strategy. He raised the gun Maddie had given him. Aimed. Shot.

The blast echoed through the city center, vibrations running up his arm, and the Jabberwocky whipped its head to face them. A low growl rumbled out from between jagged teeth, its foul breath carrying all the way to them. But its fierce orange eyes only flickered over them as if they were fucking insects. Instead, the monster turned its gaze to the surrounding buildings. The streets. The sky. Its nostrils flared, quills bristling. It was almost like the beast was searching for something…

“Fuck this,” Didi shouted, shoving her plait over her shoulder. She bolted forward with her sword raised and released a battle cry.

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