We leaped into the air and flew straight at the monster’s jaws and eerie, glowing eyes. It hissed and reared back its neck to strike, mouth opening to show curved ivory fangs. As we drew closer, it lunged, snapping at the air as we veered aside and split up to go around it. Snarling, it whirled, huge jaws agape as it snapped and swatted at us, like we were giant scaly wasps buzzing around its head. Gunfire still echoed somewhere behind us as the soldiers of St George continued to pump rounds into the enormous dragon. Thankfully, the bastards’ aim was better than their manners, though I still expected that, at any second, one of us would get caught in the crossfire. Thankfully, I was so busy trying not to be crushed by a gigantic clone dragon, I barely had time to worry about being shot by overzealous dragonslayers. I dodged a taloned forepaw nearly as big as my head, darted between two buildings and heard the clone smash through the wall as it followed, tearing out chunks of brick and mortar as it forced its way between. I landed, spun around and immediately had to leap away as those curved claws raked a two-foot gouge into the earth.

Shit. The thing was fast as well as big. I ducked, dodging the teeth that snicked shut inches from my head, saw Ember bound forward and rake both claws down the monster’s back leg. It snarled and whirled, swatting at her, but stumbled a bit from being hamstrung, and she bounced back out of reach. I darted in, slashing its flank with my talons, and it hissed—whether in pain or annoyance I couldn’t tell—and spun on me again.

Well, this is fun. I dodged a nasty blow to my skull and saw Ember leap at its back again while it was distracted. But it was wise to her methods now and sidled away from her talons. Whatever you’re planning, hurry up, St. George. We can’t keep harassing this thing forever.

And then it happened. The thing lunged with a roar, snapping at me. I swerved to avoid those snapping jaws of death but didn’t see the claw coming until it smashed into my ribs. I heard something snap and was flung away, crumpling to the ground and rolling several feet before I came to a dazed stop.

Gritting my jaw, I tried to push myself upright, but then someone jammed an invisible knife between my ribs and I sank back with a hiss of pain. The ground rumbled beneath me, and I looked up to see the Adult looming closer, a snarling Ember clinging to its back, ripping at its shoulders. It ignored the red hatchling, its blank silver eyes fixed on me as it stalked forward to end my life.

Oh, that’s great. I’m going to be eaten by a dragon. Wait till Wes hears about this.