Page 3 of Fallen Star

Anything’s possible.

But the one thing I know for sure is that I need to keep going.

I have to find the fallen tree shaped like an arch.

Scrape,I hear again, closer this time. Like skeletal fingers dragging across wood. I cringe as a chill runs through my brain, like when hearing nails against a chalkboard, or like when I hearanythingagainst styrofoam.

I’ve always hated styrofoam.

I glance upward, searching the canopy of twisted branches for the source of the noise.

There it is.

A creature clings to the tree trunk, impossibly thin and skeletal. Its limbs are elongated and jointed at unnatural angles, and its body is wrapped in bark-like armor that blends seamlessly into the birch.

If it wasn’t moving, I’d think it was another branch. But as it shifts, moonlight catches on what looks like ribs protruding from its chest. My eyes travel down its arms—to its razor-sharp claws that dig into the bark.

Its hollow eyes lock onto mine.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moves.

Then, its jaw unhinges, revealing rows of terrifyingly jagged teeth.

It’s hunting us.

I’m going to have to fight it—while also protecting Zoey’s unconscious body. If I don’t, it’s going to follow us, like it’s been following us for who knows how long already.

Unless...

It’ll be risky. I’ll be leaving both Zoey—and myself—vulnerable.

But to fight this thing, I’m going to have to separate from Zoey no matter what.

Best to keep this tree monster as far away from Zoey as possible. And right now, there’s only one way I can think of to dothat. A way that’s worked for me in the past—and will hopefully work for me now.

Decision made, I place Zoey down as gently as I can, situate myself beside her, and project.

One second, I’m on the ground.

The next, I’m balancing on the branch, right next to this creature that looks like a deformed, monstrous, supernatural child of a person and a tree.

Then, I drive my dagger—the one still stained with the dark angel’s blood—straight at the creature’s chest.

Sapphire

I miss.

I don’t know how, but Imiss.

Instead of piercing the tree monster’s chest, my dagger slashes through its side. Black sap sprays out of its wound, like poison.

It howls, its cry echoing through the silent forest.

Loudly enough that anything within a mile radius would likely be able to hear.

So much for a silent kill.

I need to finish this—quickly.

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