by S. A. Price
From their right, they saw an animal. Alyx blinked. “Is...is that a wolf? What’s a wolf doing here alone?”
“That’s no wolf,” Scur said. “That’s a fucking coyote. What the hell is a coyote doing in this environment?” The animal paced back and forth, a light dusting of snow on its light brown fur. It bared its teeth but didn’t lunge for attack. “That’s a nice puppy,” Scur said. “Now go on along with you.” The coyote snarled.
She cocked her head. “He seems on guard, like he’s waiting on something. We need to go.”
“Whatever it is, the portal is literally between those two crags,” Abaxley said.
The animal’s ears went back, tail laying flat, as it lowered its front and snarled. “Shifter?” Scur asked and Khalid shook his head.
“That’s pure animal right there and it’s about it to attack. I’d really prefer not to have to kill it.”
The coyote suddenly started to run, faster than expected on the snow-covered ground and then sprang forward, sailing past them. A scream of pain split the air and Khalid cursed. “We’re not alone, we need to move!”
Alyx broke out in a run, following Abaxley as Khalid and Scur ran, watching the world around them. Thunder broke out above them, and the winds started to pick up. “This isn’t natural!” she called as she saw someone coming at her from the right, and dove out of the way. “Scur! Khalid! Hurry!” She turned to see the coyote jump her would-be assailant, its jaws ripping out its throat.
“What the fuck...” Abaxley said “Shit...get down!”
She looked over to see her faeblin diving for her, wrapping himself around her as a large boom happened, shaking the ground as the explosion heated the air, causing rain.
“Shit!”