Making Monsters Read Free Page B

hard on his tailbone. “Maybe we should leave you here, then. Give Ithar’s hunters some more meat to chew on.”
    Shai stood, still behind the bush, and growled. The three boys turned her direction, their conflict forgotten, and even Kurth smelled of fear now. Anger flowed through her, burning in her blood. She took a few long, confident strides out into the open. She was five feet from Jervis now and only a foot farther from Kurth.
    Their eyes widened.
    Jervis scooted back a few feet, pushing his rear across the ground and pointing one shaking finger at Shai. “That’s one of Ithar’s hounds.”
    A maniacal sneer twisted Kurth’s features as he faced her. She could smell the blood pumping through his veins and she began to salivate. If only she could tell him who she was, the moment would be perfect. He drew his knife. His pack dropped to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust. She took one long stride and lunged. Her jaws closed on his throat and blood surged, hot and exhilarating, into her mouth. She closed her teeth, crushing his throat as he fell to the ground. His knife landed useless beside his pack.
    Quick. It was too quick and easy for him, for all the ways in which he had mistreated her, but it was too late to change it now.
    She held on until a sudden movement drew her attention. Twisting around she buried her teeth in Jervis’ side as he lunged for her with his own knife drawn. Her teeth scraped bone. Jervis curled in on himself as he hit the ground, his moan a victory, and she lunged on him, tearing with her teeth, ripping into every bit of flesh she could get a hold of until his screams stopped.
    Her blood pumped loud in her head, drunk on rage and excitement. Still, she had Mar to attend to. She spotted him running away, stumbling over his own feet in his haste, and bolted after him. Catching up with ease, she bit the hem of his pants and pulled his legs out from under him. Mar twisted as he fell and threw his arms up to protect his face and throat. His breath rasped and hysterical sobs shook him. He stank of fear, his blood pounding so fast she could almost hear it. Exhilarating.
    Trembling with the effort of restraint, her sides heaving, she stood her ground and waited. After a moment, Mar’s sobs slowed and he peeked out over his arms. His breath hitched when he saw she was still there, but he lowered his arms. Though his face was ghostly pale, she could tell by the rate of his breathing that he was regaining control. He stared hard at her, trying not to see the carnage in the camp.
    “Why not kill all of us? That’s why you were sent, isn’t it?”
    She sat back on her haunches and gazed at him. They stayed that way for a long moment until Mar’s face opened into an expression of wonder.
    “You’re not from Ithar, are you? You were sent to avenge Shai, not get the mask.” His eyes widened and his expression turned reverent.
    He looked so pleased with himself that she figured it would do. Rising, she turned away from him and loped back to the camp, flopping down next to the warm ashes of the night’s fire. Through the morning mist, the sun cast a gray light over the spot and the blood looked almost black. After a time Mar returned, his face paling again when he looked over the carnage. He reached to touch her, but she growled a warning. She could smell his blood and it was still tempting.
    Mar nodded, pulling his hand back, and began packing. He dug through the other packs, setting aside the mask and stuffing anything of use into his pack. When he was done, he reached for the mask. She jumped up with a fierce bark and Mar leapt back so fast he nearly fell. When he looked at her, it was with a pitiful, begging look. She growled again. She wouldn’t spare his life only to have the hunters catch and kill him later for the mask. Once more, she barked and he sighed. Slinging his pack over one shoulder, he turned and started walking away.
    Mar.
    His name came out as a soft whine, one he didn’t