Citrine (Deliverance #3)

44. Wroahk

44

Wroahk

The beast has been tracking her for some time, though it slipped away each time I pursued it. More intelligent than most, so I had to set a trap for it.

I will not allow something ominous following us around and I certainly am not capable of holding my temper enough for it to continue. So, I decided to do something drastic. I used her to draw it out. I assume the reason it hasn't shown itself yet is because I'm always around her and I'm always watching.

I am closing in on it, and as I get closer I recognize it. It was the same one whose nest she disturbed yesterday.

I catch up to it, slamming into it and push it farther away from the cave. It manages to strike me with its large tail and gain some distance from me, turning to growl.

I easily move out of the way, taunting it, trying to move it farther away from her. The farther we are, the better. I doubt I will fail, but it is large enough that I would rather give her time to escape if it is needed.

After I move it far enough away, I make a dive for its tail and grab on to it with my tentacles, using my body weight to detach it. My attack is successful, though at the cost of half a tentacle to its tearing teeth. Its roars of pain shake the entire lake, but I know it won't draw the other many teeth here.

They are likely finding a hole to hide in, no interest in challenging the largest creatures of the lake.

I extend the pleasure of the fight, pulling chunks and bites from it here and there. Unfortunately, all too soon, it loses too much blood and lies limp in the water. Staying here is worth it for her kind hands , but it's at the cost of another part of me.

There is no thrill here. No challenge.

I cleanse my body and teeth and take up the fish I already hunted for breakfast.