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The Baggers lurched closer, their path decided for them I heldNothing to see here

Yet when they were directly beneath us, they stopped, scenting the air--

They’d detected us this high up! Even over their own stench?

More wails sounded; they began attacking the barrier to reach us With vicious strength, they tore at the briars, biting the as the barbs ripped their slimy skin I felt every blow, every bite

Jack snapped, "Fire, Selena!"

They began shooting, dropping Bagettingbright

Jack reloaded "Evie, hang on!"

"I’ve got this" But poas draining frohoutof a bell We had to azed over at Lark "H-hurry with the wolves!"

"Not yet!" Her red eyes were narrowed, her claws digging into the rock, her canines lengthening "The Teeth are just hitting the valley now Buy us five rated to Finn, "Make your mountain move!"

"I’ll try!"

I’d only been in battle with one opponent before Now enemies teemed Just when Jack and Selena had both run out of arroe heard a welcoer tide swept forward, driven by the snapping beasts Screams of pain sounded So hands and feet

Red of tooth and claw, Lark’s wolves snatched out throats by the dozens By the ti into the valley, the beasts’ fangs dripped, their sable coats soaked with rancid slime It oozed off them in the rain, like thick paint

Dizziness as I’d never known seized ed toward ainst hi, "I can’t believe I used to think creating illusions was better than sex"

The cannibals arrived in the valley, only to be greeted by hell

Jack helpedorders Shots fired Chaos Muzzle flashes lit up the night, but there were too ers

Just a ht for the Teeth!"

Despite"It worked!" I turned to hug Matthew "We did it!"

He blinked "Did we?"

Face bea his ave him a startled half-srew flustered, closing her s Eone look, but he grinned "Let your freak flag fly, hotness"

As if she couldn’t help herself, she grinned back, flashing fang

As I gazed over our alliance, pride surged through me We’d combined our powers and had created a perfect storm of badassery I felt in my bones that we could defeat Death

Because ere unstoppable With wonder!

I realized I’d spoken aloud when everyone turned tohis chin on n of respect Finn put his arm around her Even Selena’s shoulders jutted back

That e heard the first cannon

16

"What the hell?" Selena cried as uns on steroids began blasting

"I know that sound" Jack’s expression was grim "It’s artillery Just like the Ar--they were yelling with pleasure,down the zombies

Frouns, their bullets cutting through the Bagh hay

Selena narrowed her eyes at Lark "You couldn’t see that they were sporting that kind of weaponry?" She strapped her bow over her chest, preparing to run

"I said they had trucks I didn’t knoas in the Lark’s voice " ‘I know the Teeth up and down’ How could you uard?"

"They’ll be corabbed s were already like jelly I reached for Matthew to hold my hand The others followed

As we ran, Lark said, "They " By the ti her as ound around charred tree trunks

Selena snapped, "Orwith the Hierophant?"

"Don’t know if you’ve noticed this, Archer, but ht into that canyon And I’ve got twelve paws to be concerned about down there"

The tree trunks thinned out, the ground turning gravelly In the distance, gunshots grew sporadic Truck engines revved as the Teeth began rolling out

Finn jerked his head around "They’re coh there," Lark called, pointing to the loo canyon

The rock walls were sheer, about four stories high, the width between thehway

Jack stopped at the entrance, cupping my face "Stick to me like a shadow, you" How o first!"

Dafuq "You’re goan to stay behind me and step where I step Same for you, coo-yôn This ain’t up for discussion!"

"The wolves can go first," Lark said, concern in her eyes "They should take the lead"

Jack raised his brows "Mais yeah!" For sure "Send ’eh!"

The trio started forward swiftly They were difficult to see, blending with the dark Jack rushed to catch up with the me behind him, while I yanked on Matthew