Page 49 of Outcast Fae
I turned, too, spotting a dark shape in the blue sky. “What is it?”
Gina and Henry didn’t answer. Instead, they turned and started sprinting the way we’d come.
“That’s a bad sign,” Elon said, looking to Vaughn.
“Go, go, go!” Sinasre shouted, giving Elon a push forward before looking back for me.
I didn’t need to be warned. I started sprinting after Gina and Henry.
We ran west away from the dark shape that was growing bigger and bigger, making a rhythmicthump, thumpsound. Soon, I could see it was a bird, wings out. I couldn’t discern the size, but I could tell this was no ordinary bird.
It was a monster.
And it was coming straight for us.
“Head to the trees!” I shouted even as most of them outpaced me. We’d already established I was no great runner. I tried my wings only to send shooting pains across my back. Glancing over my shoulder, I realized I wouldn’t even make it to the trees.
The giant bird was here now. Could it see us? Was the cloaking spell wearing off?
It dove at me, giant talons extended.
I plunged into the grass just as the sharp claws sliced through the air above my head. Tumbling end over end, I came to a stop on my back, chest heaving, heart drumming out of control. Through the long grass, I saw huge wings beating at the air as the bird gained height to dive back down again. This time it took aim at Elon.
“Look out!” I shouted at him.
Elon glanced back. The bird dove. He was slower to react than me and didn’t get down in time or use his Elemental powers. The black talons grabbed at his shoulder, slicing through his prison shirt and raking across skin. He gave a high-pitched squeal, then rolled to the ground, crying out as he disappeared into the tall grass.
The rest of the group skidded to a stop, realizing two of us had fallen. It wouldn’t be long before the rest of them were attacked.
“Fight!” I said, staggering up. “We have to fight.”
Vaughn heard me, his eyes tracking until he located me. He seemed to consider something for a moment. Then, he turned toward the bird.
And began to shift.
His muscles bulged and grew. Arms and legs elongated. His clothes tore and fell to shreds on the ground. His ears elongated to points. A snout grew, stretching his face. Hair sprouted all over his body, the same soft brown color of his curls. What wasn’t soft were the fangs and talons that appeared. Those were fearsome.Hewas fearsome, large and strong. And beautiful, too. So beautiful I couldn’t tear my eyes off him. Why would he ever be embarrassed about being able to shift into this magnificent creature?
The bird had circled around and was readying another attack.
Vaughn crouched, claws extended. This time, when the bird dove, Vaughn launched himself into the air.
His jump was powerful. It took him ten, fifteen feet up. He and the bird clashed, two dark shapes against the blue sky. They fought in midair for a moment or two, then they plummeted toward the ground in a ball of fur and feathers.
“Vaughn!” I shouted.
They fell to earth, but a split second before they smashed into the ground, Gina threw her hands out, a spell slowing their fall and softening the impact. They landed with athud, then rolled on the ground, digging up grass and sending dirt flying.
Skidding to a stop, neither stirred. Had Vaughn been injured? Killed? Fear tightened my chest.
The giant bird hopped up, spreading out its great wings and opening a giant black beak as it circled away from us. It held one of its wings at an odd angle, but I doubted the injury would stop it fighting us on the ground.
Vaughn had not stirred. His shaggy form lay unmoving in the long grass. I started towards him as the others circled the bird.
It was about time they turned and fought! Even as I dropped beside Vaughn’s giant figure, I could see them attacking out of the corner of my eye, Elon with his electricity, Gina with her magic, and Sinasre with his magical hair that grew and lashed around like a whip. Even Henry with fire magic. I wanted to help them, but Vaughn...
I touched his neck and tried to find a pulse.
Beneath the soft fur, a heartbeat pounded, slow but strong. I scanned his body, looking for wounds and marveling at his werewolf muscles. His human body was sculpted. This was something else entirely. His thighs were like massive tree trunks, his arms were corded sinew. He’d brought down a three-story bird by himself and had not gotten a wound on him as far as I could tell. Then why wasn’t he moving?
