Gritting her teeth, she braced herself as the Ygrex threw itself at her again, head lowered to catch her with its horns. Widge was still clinging furiously to its back, black blood smeared across his nose. Dodging to one side, Twelve shoved the creature past her with all her strength and dived for the moonstone, rolling to her feet with it triumphantly clasped in her hand. An instant later, Widge bounded back to her shoulder, ready to help in any way he could.

The Ygrex screamed and flinched away. For a moment, Twelve thought the simple act of picking up the stone had driven it back, then she saw the arrow piercing its side. For the first time, she became aware of sounds from outside: a ululating howl that made her teeth chatter and voices.

“Twelve! We’re coming! Hang on!”

Another arrow, another screech from the Ygrex, and suddenly Dog was forcing his way into the space, the tunnel too narrow for him, his shoulders streaked with mud. And, behind him, Six with Twelve’s axes in his hands.

Their wide eyes drank in the sight of her, and Twelve read both terror and relief there.

“You dropped these,” Six said, somehow managing to sound casual as he tossed her the weapons. She released the dagger and moonstone and caught them. Nothing had ever felt so good. On her shoulder, Widge trilled his relief.

The Ygrex lunged for Six, and Twelve leaped forward with her axes. Dog was faster though: in a single bound, he landed on the Ygrex and had it in his jaws. Its scream tore through Twelve’s mind and she flinched, covering her ears. Dog shook it like a rag doll until it was silent, then dropped it to the floor, his expression one of disgust as he gazed around.

“Filthy creatures,” he growled, turning to Six and Twelve.

The terror and heartbreak caught up to Twelve in a rush and her knees began to shake so hard she had to lean on her axes to stop herself from falling.

“We must get Twelve out,” Dog growled, at her side in an instant. “Climb up,” he said to her gently, lowering himself into an awkward crouch to make it easier.

Later, she became aware that she was propped up against a tree trunk outside with extra furs over her, Widge pressed protectively to her throat. Dog was sitting in front of her, his face close as he peered hopefully at her. “Can you hear me?”