Shim shrugged. “This is new territory. I’ve never seen a beast attack like this. Even those creatures exposed to godsblood within the Rocklands don’t grow overly violent, but then again none of them are natural predators either.”

“Then you’ve never seen Morg after a midnight gulp of godsblood.”

“That’s different, just an exception. Morg’s natural state of being is as docile as a kitten.”

It was a fair point, but still… “Godsblood changes us. Enhances us. Extends our lives. Heals our wounds. Allows us to do…things.”

“Things?” Shim snorted. “That’s one way of putting it. But as Forsworn we are granted express permission to consume Narcissi’s blood. We understand the blessings, but also the risks. These animals were probably just having a drink at some creek or stream that was contaminated. They didn’t have permission. Nor did they have a choice.”

That made Soraya sad, not only for the buck, but also for the bearlike creature that had been driven by compulsion and bloodlust beyond its normal survival instincts. It hadn’t asked to be this way. She scanned the carnage once more, searching for clues. There was spatter everywhere, both golden godsblood and the expected splashes of red. Body parts scattered. Thick chunks of ichor still oozing.

“You were right about one thing: whatever killed it wouldn’t leave this much meat,” Shim said.

For some reason, his echo of her own words back to her struck her, stopping her cold. Something was different. The forest felt too…quiet. Too still. The wind was still calm, but even it was blowing differently now.

Because it was moving in the opposite direction, originating from the east, from the part of the wood the beast had disappeared into. When had it changed? Just now? Or had she only just noticed it?

Something dripped onto her cheek, warm and wet. She reached up and wiped it away, staring at her fingers, the tips of which were gleaming gold. Shim noticed what she was doing, and his eyes met hers, narrowing slightly under the shadows cast by his cobra hood.

Simultaneously, they looked up.

With a snarl, the beast launched itself from the branch it had managed to climb onto. How it had moved as silently as a haunting ghost without either of them hearing so much as a grunt or scuffle was a question Soraya had no choice but to set aside for later contemplation, assuming she survived long enough to think about it.

Instincts kicking in, she dove hard to one side.

Not quick enough.

The beast landed a clawed blow on her face, full of such force it twisted her head around, her neck making a cracking sound and pain flaring on her cheek even as she landed headlong amongst the deer’s ruined body parts.