The rubbery pink appendage lashed out in the blink of an eye, wrapping around the stone lion and binding it tight. The cat’s torso turned gray a fraction of a second later, flesh shifting to solid rock to protect its organs from the crushing embrace.

The cat’s defensive skill kept it from being slain in an instant, but it wasn’t enough to save it. Although it screamed, and struggled, and bit at the tongue, it couldn’t get away.

That was when Edge saw what the other end was connected to—a chameleonlike beast that was sixty feet long and as wide as a whale. His breath came fast and shallow as an electric tsunami of adrenaline surged into his veins. He froze in place as he took in the sight of the biggest predator that he’d ever seen.

Its leathery skin was a patchwork of mossy green and pale yellow, and its bulging eyes seemed to look in every direction at once. Spikes the size of scimitars jutted out from the end of its tail, and its claws were heavy enough to tear trees apart.

Although they were formidable threats, the true danger of the beast didn’t come from its impressive natural weaponry. It was so stealthy that the stone lion, a master of the art of ambush, never even knew it was there. Not to mention the other skills it was packing.

It was focused on devouring the big cat for now. But Edge was certain that if the giant lizard caught wind of their presence, it would end them before they could hope to get away. That they’d be dead the moment it struck. He had a handful of heartbeats to come up with a plan, or they were both going to die.

We need to do something that will confuse our trail, then hide until it leaves the area. We can’t possibly outfight or outrun it. Even if we sprint the whole way, it will catch us long before we make it back to town. He wracked his brain as they turned to flee. It was a perilous situation that was growing more deadly with every second that passed.

When he looked over his shoulder, he realized that they had even less time than he’d thought. The beast was a fast eater. The massive lion was already disappearing down the colossal lizard’s gullet, the tip of its tail sliding into its mouth like a string of spaghetti.

The last thing that Edge saw before his vision was obscured by grass was the deadly reptile staring straight at them with predatory intent, sniffing at the breeze flowing over the field. Shit. It already has our scent. In another minute or two tops, it’s coming for us. I might have had a chance of getting away if Overdrive was ready to go, but it still has a day on the cooldown.

“Sasha. Do you know what that is? Anything that might help us escape?”

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His question pulled her out of flight or fight mode. She looked at Edge with eyes wide with fear, then mastered her terror and answered. “I’m pretty sure that it’s a padamas—a creature native to Ord. I never thought that I would see one with my own eyes.”

She took a deep breath and focused as they rushed to open some distance, granting them another few seconds of life.

“It has decent eyesight and hearing, along with an incredibly powerful sense of smell. That’s all I know, except that it can attack with its tail along with its tongue. This is bad, Edge. What are we going to do? We can try to hide, but silent step isn’t going to cut it.”

“It already knows we’re here. We need to find something that we can use as shelter. Otherwise, it’s going to take us out with that tongue before we can try anything else. Once we’re behind something solid, we can come up with a plan to help us wait it out or drive it away.”

“That big tree is the only thing in the area. We’ll have to crawl into the mudpuppies’ den and pray that it’s deep enough to shield us.” While Sasha led him through the grass, Edge kept right on thinking. He already knew that this wasn’t going to work, but it would buy them a moment to search for a solution.

They made it to the base of the tree thirty seconds later, an immense trunk that was at least twenty feet across. Sasha guided him beneath one of the larger roots, which led to an enclosed space that continued below the soil. There was a trio of mudpuppies cowering in one corner, but they were too frightened to object to the hunters’ intrusion.

By now, Edge was certain that the padamas was headed their way. He could feel the ground shaking with every step that it took. Hear it sniffing at the air as it followed their scents to the tree.

Since we’re already cornered, it must have decided that it doesn’t need to ambush us. It’s taking the direct approach instead. As soon as it reaches the end of our trail, it’s going to tear away the roots with its claws and drag us out with its tongue.

By now, he had calmed down enough to come up with a plan. He didn’t know if it was going to work, but it was the only chance they had.

I need to reduce our presence before it arrives. Confuse it enough that it stops to take a closer look. I can use conceal, but it won’t work on Sasha. What can I do that will lure it in? Think fast Edge, it’s going to be here in a couple of seconds. Maybe conceal will have some effect if part of her body is covered by mine.

With no time left to ponder the matter, Edge wrapped his arms around Sasha, enveloping her as completely as he could.

She looked up at him in with a question in her eyes but didn’t pull away. When he activated conceal, Sasha seemed to understand what was happening. She pressed her body against his, letting their limbs intertwine. A sensation that would have been extremely pleasant under almost any other circumstances.

Right now, Edge was too scared to appreciate it. Sasha turned on silent step, adding her skill’s power to his own. Conceal had erased his presence, and hopefully helped to mask hers too. But it was a half measure at best. It might delay the inevitable, but he suspected that the lizard had enough Perception to pierce his ruse. Hopefully not until it gets close.

His thoughts were interrupted by a thunderous crack. Dirt and splinters rained down as a big piece of the root overhead was ripped away, revealing the padamas in its full, fell glory.

Before Edge had time to react, its tongue shot out, streaking into the den like a bolt of pink lightning.