Evin dived to his side just as the chimera’s heavy body slammed to the ground. A great gust of wind rose up from the force of the monster’s wings, sending leaves and dirt flying into Evin’s eyes and mouth. He sputtered and rolled deeper into the trees.

Leaping up to his feet, Evin turned around. The chimera shoved itself between tree trunks, its wings flattened against its back. It opened up its lion jaws and roared, spittle flying from its teeth. Beside the lion head, the dragon head took in a deep breath. Evin could see a bright white light sparking deep within its throat.

“Wait!” Evin cried, holding up his hands.

The dragon head breathed out and a blast of fire shot from among its sharp teeth. Evin jumped headfirst to his left, landing in a ball. Beside him came the sound of a great explosion, and chunks of dirt and tree bark smoldered.

Evin tried to get to his feet to run, cursing himself for ever thinking this plan would work. He tripped over loose dirt and slid down the hill in a cascade of rocks and grass. He grabbed at a bush, but continued to slide down the hill, clutching a fistful of leaves. Again he reached out, this time grasping a sapling, and he hung on to stop his descent.

The chimera wound through the trees. With its wings held taut against its back, it seemed more lion than dragon now, and it bounded over the underbrush with ease.

“No!” Evin screamed, struggling to maintain his grip. “Wait!”

The chimera leaped and landed heavily in front of Evin and the sapling. Dragon and lion heads roaring, goat head bleating, the chimera slashed out with its claws. Evin ducked and the chimera’s razor-sharp claws sliced through the sapling above his head. Half of the young tree collapsed to the ground and rolled down the hill.

The chimera raised its claws again, baring its lion’s teeth while taking in another breath with its dragon head.

“Wait!” Evin screamed one last time. “I know what your plan is. I can help! Just please! Listen!”

Evin squeezed his eyes shut and gripped the lower half of the destroyed sapling with all his strength. Every muscle in his body shook. His brain screamed at him again and again for trying to do something so stupid as to sneak up on a deadly monster.

After a long moment, Evin realized that the chimera hadn’t lashed out. He was still alive. But the chimera was still there. He could hear its snorting breaths, smell its sweaty fur.

Evin opened one eye, then the other. Moonlight reflected off the red scales of the chimera’s dragon head, its wings, its long tail.

Slowly, the chimera’s dragon lips parted.

“I’m listening.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

And you’re sure it’s safe?”