Page 21 of Beauty and the Grendel

Sheriff Jameson’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment I feared he wouldn’t believe me. But to my surprise, he nodded, his expression grim. “I’ve heard the legends,” he said, his voice heavy with understanding. “What do you need from us?”

Relief washed over me, and I quickly outlined my plan. “The Camazotz is vulnerable to silver,” I explained, my mind racing with the possibilities. “If we can lure it into a trap made of mirrors, it won’t be able to escape. But we need to act fast, before it can hurt Harlow.”

Sheriff Jameson nodded, his eyes blazing with determination. “We’ll get our best men on it,” he said, already reaching for his radio. “We’ll build the trap and set it up in the woods, where the creature is most likely to be hiding.”

A glimmer of hope sparked within me, but I knew we were far from out of the woods. The Camazotz was a formidable foe, and it wouldn’t go down without a fight.

As the sheriff’s men set to work constructing the mirror box, I paced back and forth, my mind consumed with thoughts of Harlow. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her, not after everything we had been through together.

I closed my eyes, trying to push away the fear that threatened to overwhelm me. I had to believe that we would find her, that we would bring her home safe and sound.

The sound of metal clanging against metal pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned to see the mirror box taking shape before my eyes. It was a massive structure, big enough to hold the Camazotz and strong enough to withstand the supernatural strength.

As we put the last pieces into place, a surge of determination coursed through me. We had the trap, and now we needed to find the Camazotz and lure it inside.

I turned to Sheriff Jameson, my jaw set with resolve. “Let’s go,” I said, my voice low and fierce. “We have a monster to catch, and a woman to save.”

Chapter 15

Harlow

The bus station disappeared behind me as Mason’s truck sped off into the night. But I had no intention of leaving Grimsby - or Griiq. Love pulsed through my veins, fueling my determination to stay and fight by his side.

I hurried through the quiet streets, gripping my bags tightly. The Blue Moon Motel’s flickering neon sign beckoned me. I ducked inside the dingy lobby and secured a room, ignoring the curious look from the pockmarked clerk behind the counter.

Inside the musty room, I tossed my bag on the threadbare bedspread and sank into a creaky chair. I had to come up with a plan to help Griiq trap the Camazotz. Maybe we could use my camera flash to disorient it, then-

BAM! BAM! BAM!

I jolted upright. Pounding shook the door. My heart leapt - was it Griiq? I raced over and peered through the peephole.

A strangled scream ripped from my throat. Glowing red eyes glared back at me from a monstrous bat-like face. Leathery wings unfurled behind it. The Camazotz!

CRASH! The door splintered as the beast’s claws raked through, sending wood chips flying. I stumbled back, still screaming. The Camazotz burst into the room in a fury of flapping wings and gnashing teeth.

I turned to run, but its talons snagged my shirt, yanking me back. I struggled wildly, kicking and clawing, as it wrapped its wings around me in a suffocating grip. The stench of rotting meat made me gag.

It dragged me outside into the night air. I thrashed desperately, but its hold was unbreakable. The Camazotz shoved me to the ground, pinning me under its clawed feet. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. This is how I would die.

With a triumphant screech, the beast launched itself skyward, its wings beating powerfully as it carried me off into the darkness. Wind rushed past as the motel shrank below, Grimsby blurring into a sea of twinkling lights. My screams faded into helpless sobs.

Griiq, where are you? I thought desperately, hot tears streaming down my face. Please, I need you! But the night sky swallowed me whole as the Camazotz soared higher, its horrible laughter echoing in my ears.

The wind whipped my hair as the Camazotz carried me through the night sky. I struggled against its iron grip, but it was no use. The creature’s leathery wings beat steadily, propelling us forward at a dizzying speed.

Through my tears, I glimpsed Griiq’s castle below. The Camazotz circled it once, twice, before landing heavily on the ground. It hopped around, its clawed foot leaving deep imprints on the soft earth. I realized with a sinking feeling that it was setting a trap for Griiq.

Please, I silently begged, don’t fall for it. Stay away.

As if sensing my thoughts, the Camazotz let out a guttural laugh and launched itself back into the air. It soared over the dense forest, pausing occasionally to land in various spots. Each time, it left an obvious trail of footprints before taking off again.

My heart raced as I prayed Griiq wouldn’t follow. He had to know it was a trap. He couldn’t risk his life for me.

Finally, the Camazotz landed near a small cave. It was so tiny that the beast had to hunch over to fit inside, its wings scraping against the rocky walls. With a rough motion, it dumped me unceremoniously onto the hard cave floor.

I scrambled to my feet, but before I could even think about running, the Camazotz pushed a massive stone over the opening. The cave plunged into darkness, with only a thin sliver of moonlight seeping in around the edges of the boulder.

“No!” I screamed, throwing myself against the stone. I pushed with all my strength, but it wouldn’t budge.

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