Page 113 of Brambles and Bellflowers
Julian shrugged. “He’ll be fine.”
In response, the beast leaned back, opening his beak in a roar. This time, its snake-like tongue—or tongues rather, because there were at least twelve—were visible, slithering and twisting through the air.
This was the perfect opportunity to attack. I stepped back, ready to enact my revenge.
But Julian stopped me, grasping my elbow. “Just wait.”
My breathing labored, my heart beating in my throat. “What—”
The Snallygaster’s scream abruptly ended, and an instant later, this regrown head had fallen to the ground, joining the first.
Its eye seemed to be trained on me, even in death.
Titus stepped out of the creature’s—once again—fallen form, grumbling as he kicked off his ruined pants.
Oh, good. Titus was alive. I always believed in him; he was very resourceful.
“Need any help?” Julian asked him, making no move to assist.
“Just how long were you going to wait?” Titus grumbled, attempting to wipe the sticky-looking blood from his bare torso.
“You had it under control.” The necromancer waved his hand dismissively.
I glanced at Julian. My hot anger began to fade even as my attention remained mainly on the fallen creature.
“You’re much nicer when Bianca’s around,” I told him. “Sometimes I forget how much of an asshole you are.”
“I noticed that too.” Titus didn’t even look up.
Julian’s features were carefully blank. “You curse more when she’s gone,” was his only rebuttal.
I pursed my lips. He wasn’t wrong.
The Snallygaster hadn’t come back to life again, so maybe it was a fluke—
Just as the thought crossed my mind, one of the giant legs twitched.
Motherfucker.
I glanced at the dragon. “Titus?” We didn’t have time for this. Bianca and Miles were still missing.
“Maybe it needs some time to recuperate.” Titus kicked at the head, and the creature stopped twitching.
“It’s not a normal creature. I don’t even think it’s alive. There’s witchcraft all over that. Let’s get out of here and distance ourselves before it wakes again.” Julian had already put away his weapons and stepped past us. “If the only way to keep moving on is to chop off its head continuously, then we have no choice but to move while we have a chance.”
“Right.” That was a perfectly sane plan, and Titus could use the exercise. Hell, if this search was frustrating enough, and there was a high possibility it would be, I might even get a few hits in.
There was nothing better to help with stress than a good fight.
20
Kathleen had madeus a bed of blankets, and I crawled in. The warm shelter, the quiet, and the safe protection from the elements were much better than the cave. I fell asleep to the flickering firelight and the heavy scent of lavender in the air.
I woke up sometime later to the overpowering smell of bacon and eggs.
Miles was sitting at the small oak table conversing with Kathleen as she stood near the hearth, cooking over an open fire. “Where did you get this?”
“I killed a pig,” she replied, shooting him a look of forced patience. “How else would I get it? I also have chickens.”
