Page 58 of When Monsters Rise
Itwas fucking daytime.
Avise crushed my chest, leaving me panting in panic, because if the winged beasts were here during daylight hours, it could only mean one thing.
Therules had changed.
* * *
Therazor beaksswooped in attack, three aimed at the watchers and two aimed at us humans clustered by the side of the road.
“RUN!”Bastiangrabbed my hand, and we made a break for the woods.
Weducked into the tree line, making it impossible for the razor beaks to dive low enough to grab any of us.Theflying monsters pulled up, their horrific clawed feet scraping the tops of the trees so it rained leaves for a moment.
“Ohgods, oh gods,” someone sobbed.
“It’sall right.We’reall right if we stay under cover,”Miraconsoled.
“Staytogether,”Beeordered. “We’resafe here.It’sdaytime.”
Ourgazes locked, andIshook my head slightly, because was that even true anymore? “Stayquiet.Just…in case.”
Someonewhimpered and was harshly told to shut up byMira.
“Onearmored beast and five razor beaks,”Bastiansaid. “We’regood.Thereare nine watchers out there.Theycan take them.”
Mystomach trembled. “Ineed to check—”
Bastianmade a grab for me. “Stay.I’llgo.”
Ishook him off. “No,Ineed to check because if they’re flagging, then…”Igave him a pointed look, hoping that he wouldn’t make me say it.
“Dammit,Rue…”
“I’llhave to.”
“Iknow.”
Thepower thrummed inside me asIslipped out from cover, keeping low, eyes on the sky where six, no, seven razor beaks and eight airborne watchers flew.IspottedSarq,Tumiel,Zaq,Baraqel, and his troop.
ButShem…WherewasShem?
Afist of panic formed in my belly.Ihad to check, had to see…
Thehill, which had been easy to navigate when descending, felt like a mountain when climbing, butIscrambled to the top, unnoticed by the beasts above, who were too busy fighting off the watchers.Theground was bloody and strewn with the intestines of the armored beasts, but where wasShem?
Therepropped up against one of the dead beasts, hands on his belly as he held himself together…
No…No, no, no!
“Rue!”Bastiancried out from behind me.
ButIwas already on the road, running towardShem.
Helooked up, eyes flaring with shock at the sight of me. “No!Getback!”
Likehell.Iskidded to a halt, falling to my knees beside him as a wave of déjà vu washed over me.Fora moment,Iwas back in the shack surrounded by monsters withJarrodpropped against a pillar bleeding out whilePip, my medic, tried to patch him back together, thenIwas on the road, surrounded by my frightened people with a single razor beak attacking us and my father propped against a pile of dead bodies begging me to end his life.
“Go,”Shemsaid. “Youhave to…”Hecoughed up blood.
