Page 104 of Crossbones
I pull some pieces from the ground and see inscriptions of planetary systems. Another one has stars and constellations. There’s yet another of the moon and all her phases. Maybe this was their calendar—
I’m so enthralled by the piece of ancient technology I don’t hear the shuffling until it’s too late.
I turn to see a massive white bear appear from the shadows. We see each other at the same time and a low growl escapes him.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I grumble, moving slowly away from the dias.
This beast looks exactly like the De’Vero House crest, which makes me want to laugh at the absurdity of running into one. The bear’s teeth are the size of my forearm as it snarls and takes a few steps towards me, black eyes glittering in the meager light. I continue to retreat but the ground gives way beneath my feet, and I stumble. The bear roars, a sound that vibrates the air and causes a chill to race down my spine. A large tremor runs through the ice. I frantically toss aside my pack and draw my cutlass just in time to dive away from the animal as it charges. My shoulder protests the impact as I roll and jump up, whirling to face the bear who, for something so big, is disturbingly agile.
I jump out of the way again, sliding my blade across its side as I do. But the bear’s fur is thick, and I don’t think it makes an impact. He comes for me again and a swipe of his paw catches me on my hip, sending me sliding across the ground where I collide with an ice wall, shattering it loudly. I barely have time to make it to my feet, slipping on ice and gasping for air, before he’s on me again. I grab a dagger and slam it into his neck, somehow dodging the creature’s teeth. I don’t have time to avoid the giant paw though, and I’m thrown across the room.
I feel like something is sitting on my chest. I can’t take a full breath. I see him lumbering towards me and roll out of the way. Staggering to my feet, I grip the edge of the contraption to steady myself. It shakes under my hand and I look up, seeing the rings and warped metal waver. I shove against it hard, watching the bear charge. The ancient machine sways but doesn’t budge.
I slam my shoulder against it—I have only yards before he’s on me.
I push harder, my efforts edging on frantic. There’s a screech of metal on metal and it falls. The massive pile hits the bear who stumbles and goes down. But now the ground is quaking and I fall to a knee, watching the rocks beneath me split. The ground falls out from under us, sending me, and the bear rolling down a mountain of ice and stone.
We collide at the bottom and I get a faceful of fur. The smell of rot and musk assault my senses. I try to move but my ankle is pinned under a rock. The bear looms over me, mouth open, ready to take my head off. I raise my sword and plunge it straight down his throat. Blood pours over my forearm that’s shoved between wicked looking canines, and the giant bear collapses half on top of me.
I extract my arm and lay there awkwardly, staring up at the hole we’d just fallen through, trying to catch my breath—wheezing through ribs I’m sure are broken. I’m convinced this is some sick metaphor for mylife—going up against this beast that represents my house. I attempt to shove him off, but my ribs protest and I slump back again in frustration—at least I’m finally warm—
“Caspian!”
At first I think I’m dreaming; I’m so exhausted—but I hear my name again and crane my neck, seeing the men running towards me, Blackwell leading the charge. He reaches me first and tries to shove the bear off.
“Jesus Christ,” Van exclaims. “What the fuckisthat thing?”
It takes the three of them—Van, Harrison and Blackwell—to move the carcass off enough to free me.
“Karma of some sort probably—” I rasp as I dig my ankle out of the debris and stumble down to even footing where it promptly gives out. Arms grab me and Blackwell is there, throwing my arm over his shoulder.
“Impeccable timing, Captain.”
He sets me down at the mouth of the tunnel where the other men have made camp. Crouching down he looks me over.
“I’m fine—”
“That doesnotlook fine.”
I follow his gaze to see claw marks raking me from hip to knee with another set across my chest. I lean my head back, closing my eyes.
“Fuck—I can’t even feel it—”
“Probably a good thing,” Blackwell drags his pack over and rummages through it. “Chew on this.”
He gives me something to ease the pain and starts to cut away my pants. He presses a warm cloth against the wounds and I hiss.
“Okay, I can definitely feel it now,” I grumble through gritted teeth.
The cuts aren’t dangerously deep, but they sting like a motherfucker and require nearly my entire thigh to be wrapped. Blackwell tears my shirt and runs the damp cloth across the cuts on my chest.
“Think I’ll have some cool scars?” I crane my neck to try and see them in their entirety and notice Blackwell’s hand has a slight tremor to it. I look up at his face in time to see his jaw clench at my words and his eyes darken in anger. I grab his wrist and he looks up at me.
“I’m fine,” I say quietly.
“I saw you just lying there with that bear on you—” He mutters.
For a brief moment, his emotions show on every inch of his face and my chest aches. I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and drag him to me, resting my head against his and closingmy eyes. It’s over too quickly before he pulls back and glares at me.
