Page 26 of Hunter's Moon

Lina looked up at me, her green eyes filled with fear and something else – something that made my own pulse quicken.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

We stayed like that, bodies flush against each other, the danger momentarily forgotten. Then reality crashed back in, and I carefully maneuvered us back into our original positions.

“Let’s keep moving,” I said gruffly, trying to ignore the lingering warmth where she’d been pressed against me.

We inched our way along the ledge, every step a test of nerves and balance. Lina’s breathing was ragged behind me, but she pressed on without complaint. As we neared the end of the ledge, I spotted our next obstacle – a sprawling intersection teeming with insects.

“Shit,” I muttered, coming to a halt.

Lina bumped into my back. “What’s wrong?”

“See for yourself.”

She peered around me, her sharp intake of breath telling me she’d spotted the swarm. The bugs writhed and pulsed, their bioluminescent bodies casting an eerie glow over the cavern.

“There’s no way around,” Lina whispered, her voice trembling. “We’ll have to go through them.”

I nodded grimly. “Stay close. We move fast, don’t stop for anything.”

“What if they attack?”

“Then we fight.” I met her eyes, willing her to see my determination. “I won’t let them hurt you.”

Lina swallowed hard, then squared her shoulders. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

We descended from the ledge, our feet touching the uneven ground. The insects nearest to us stirred, antennae twitching in our direction.

“Ready?” I asked, tensing for action.

Lina’s hand found mine, squeezing tight. “As I’ll ever be.”

We plunged into the swarm. Instantly, the air filled with clicking mandibles and the rustle of countless legs. I swatted at the bugs, my other hand still gripping Lina’s as we pushed forward.

“Keep moving!” I shouted over the din.

A particularly large insect reared up in front of us, its compound eyes flashing with intelligence. I snarled, lashing out with my foot. The bug went flying, crashing into its brethren.

“Nice kick,” Lina panted.

“Save your breath for running.”

We were about halfway through when disaster struck. Lina’s foot caught on something – a rock, a bug carcass, I couldn’t tell – and she went down hard.

“Lina!” I whirled, yanking her up by our joined hands.

She scrambled to her feet, but not before several insects crawled over her legs. She shrieked, kicking wildly.

“Get them off! Get them off!”

I batted at the creatures, my heart racing. “We can’t stop. Run!”

We sprinted the rest of the way, bugs swarming around us in a frenzied cloud. Mandibles snapped at my clothes, tiny legs scrabbling for purchase on my skin. Lina’s panicked breathing spurred me on. They wouldn’t have her. I wouldn’t let them.

Finally, we burst free of the swarm.

“We made it,” Lina gasped, bent double and panting.

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