Not at her—past her. His massive body crashed through the underbrush with terrifying speed, claws tearing up earth and vegetation.
Something had been creeping through the trees—a twisted thing that barely resembled anything natural. It looked like a wolf, if wolves were made of living shadow and dripping malice.
Its form flickered and wavered at the edges, never quite solid, with too many eyes that glowed sickly yellow in the darkness.
Elongated limbs bent at wrong angles, ending in claws made of concentrated darkness that left scorched marks on the forest floor.
Its mouth gaped open impossibly wide, revealing rows of needle-like teeth that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.
The shadow beast had been stalking them, creeping closer with predatory intent.
It never stood a chance.
