Bound (A Faery Story 1)

“Too late,” said a voice right beside Meg’s ear. Meg turned and

the hag was at her side, so close Meg could smell her fetid breath.

Meg twisted her body and rolled up into a crouch, every muscle

screaming in pain. The hag’s fist came out, lancing from her body. It

crossed Meg’s jaw and the impact snapped her head back, the gun

slipped from her hand. She groped for the gun, but Liadan was too

close. Forcing herself to keep moving, Meg kicked out as Liadan tried

to jump on her. She heard a satisfying groan from the hag as Meg

made contact with her gut. Meg got to her feet, and Beck was

whispering to her.

Take the advantage.

Meg leapt up, catching the low limb of a thick oak tree. She

swung her legs back and came forward with all the force she could

muster. She planted her boots in Liadan’s chest as the hag got up.

Liadan hit the muddy forest floor. She jumped on the downed woman,

planting her knees on Liadan’s torso. She was taking no chances this

time.

Meg placed the barrel of the gun against the hag’s chest. She

steadied herself to pull the trigger when a terrible pain lashed across

her back.

Ain leapt on Meg’s back, scratching and clawing through tender

flesh. Meg tried to get a hold of the blasted thing, but it sank its teeth into the back of her neck and wouldn’t let go.

“Oh, no, kitty cat,” Dante growled.

Meg looked up and saw Dante in full claw and fang mode. He was

bloody. He looked like he’d had just about enough of cats for the day.

“We weren’t done, kitty,” Dante said.

Meg immediately felt relief as Dante hefted the cat off her. She

pulled the gun to finish off the hag, but Ain had bought Liadan just

enough time. Liadan grinned up at Meg and thrust her hand forward.

Bound