Page 24 of Beauty and the Grendel

They nodded, their faces set with resolve. It was a risky plan, but it was our best chance at saving Harlow and ending the Camazotz’s reign of terror.

As we made our preparations, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were walking into a battle from which there might be no return. But for Harlow; for the people of this town I would risk everything.

With a final nod to the others, I turned and led the way back into the forest. My senses were alert for any sign of the Camazotz or Harlow. The last confrontation was upon us, and I knew only one side would emerge victorious.

My heart pounded in my chest as we approached the Camazotz’s position. The wind was in our favor, blowing our scent away from the creature’s keen nose. I motioned for the deputies to move quietly, their weapons at the ready, as they circled around to the other side of the clearing.

The plan was simple, but risky. The deputies, armed with harpoons and high-powered rifles, would push the Camazotz towards the awaiting trap, while I served as the bait to lure it in. It was a gamble, but one we had to take if we wanted to save Harlow and put an end to this nightmare.

As I stepped out into the open, the Camazotz’s eyes locked onto me, its massive head swiveling in my direction. I could feel the weight of its gaze, the malevolent intelligence that lurked behind those glowing red orbs. It knew I was here, and it was ready for a fight.

I stood my ground, my muscles tensed and ready for action. The Camazotz shifted its weight, its claws digging into the soft earth as it prepared to charge. But before it could make a move, a muffled scream pierced the air, and my heart nearly stopped.

“Griiq, run! Get away from it!”

It was Harlow’s voice, coming from somewhere behind the Camazotz. She sounded desperate, her words choked with fear and desperation. I couldn’t see her, but I knew she was there, trapped and helpless in the creature’s clutches.

The Camazotz's head swiveled towards the sound, its eyes narrowing with predatory intent. I knew I had to act fast before it could turn its attention back to me. I took a step back, my hands held out in a gesture of surrender.

“Easy now,” I said, my voice low and soothing. “I’m not here to fight. I just want the girl.”

The Camazotz growled, its muscles rippling beneath its leathery skin. It took a step forward, its eyes never leaving mine. I could feel the power emanating from its massive frame, the sheer strength and ferocity that made it such a formidable foe.

Behind the creature, I glimpsed movement as the deputies emerged from the trees, their weapons trained on the Camazotz’s back. They moved with practiced efficiency, fanning out to surround the beast and cut off its escape.

I took another step back, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched the deputies close in. The Camazotz sensed the trap, its head whipping around as it caught sight of the armed men. It let out a roar of fury, its claws digging into the ground as it prepared to charge.

But before it could make a move, one deputy fired his harpoon, the razor-sharp point embedding itself in the creature’s shoulder. The Camazotz howled in pain, its eyes blazing with rage as it turned to face its attacker.

The Camazotz yanked the point from its shoulder and cast it to the ground in a flurry of wing flaps and painful howls. The sound of gunfire filled the air, the high-powered rifles barking as the deputies unloaded on the creature. Immortal Camazotz roared in pain and fury, its hide riddled with bullets and harpoons .It fought on, its strength and ferocity undiminished by its wounds. It was of no use.

I knew we had to get out of there before the creature could turn its attention back to us. Where was Harlow? She was close for I could smell her. My eyes locked on the Camazotz as it thrashed and fought against its attackers.

Behind me, the deputies were shouting orders, their voices tight with fear and determination. They were doing their best to push the Camazotz towards the trap, but the creature was proving to be a formidable opponent.

As I reached the edge of the clearing, I risked a glance over my shoulder, my heart pounding in my chest as I saw the trap looming in the distance. It was now or never. We had to make our move before the Camazotz could escape or turn the tables on us.

With a last glance at the raging battle behind me, I plunged into the trees, my mind racing as I tried to come up with a plan to end this nightmare once and for all. The final confrontation was upon us, and I knew the stakes had never been higher.

Chapter 17

Harlow

I pressed my eye against the narrow crack between the large stone and the cave wall, my heart pounding against my ribcage as I watched the scene unfold before me. The Camazotz’s dark, leathery wings spread wide as it turned its attention to Griiq.

“Griiq, run!” I screamed, my voice echoing off the damp cave walls. “It’s a trap!”

But the Camazotz’s ear-splitting screech drowned my desperate plea out as it charged towards Griiq, its razor-sharp claws extended, ready to strike. I watched in horror as Griiq turned and fled, disappearing from my limited view, the Camazotz in hot pursuit.

I slammed my fists against the stone, ignoring the pain that shot through my hands. “Griiq!” I yelled, my voice raw with emotion. “Griiq, please!”

Tears streamed down my face as I pushed against the stone with all my strength, desperate to move it, to get out of this cave and help Griiq. But it wouldn’t budge, no matter how hard I tried.

I sank to my knees, my chest heaving with sobs. The image of the Camazotz chasing after Griiq played over and over in my mind, taunting me with the possibility of losing him forever.

“Please, please, please,” I whispered, my forehead pressed against the cool stone. “Please let him be okay.”

The cave seemed to close in around me, the air thick and suffocating. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing Griiq, not after everything we’d been through, not after I’d finally admitted to myself just how much he meant to me.

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