Bonesplinter Ravine [M] Viva La Vida

Screams are cut by the confrontation of teeth as Machi surges, body entangling with the old feline’s musculature. This is a different terror. Eset's limbs leaden, watching helplessly as daggered fangs prick the skin of Machi’s throat. She knows no way to stop this, her cries are twisting clots in the mouth, a guttural mix of panic and shame.

There are only a matter of moments before the struggle is heard by the awaiting soldiers.

Several seconds pass. She allows fear to control her, shaking her limbs, occluding her voice. Then Eset divests it, rolling to her paws. Her heart riots. She flies forward, striking at the softened undersides of Herod’s flank. Her teeth were ineffectual against the wolf. She hoped only to buy time, to distract long enough for Machi deal his critical bites.

She prayed the gods were mercy clothed in darkness.