“The only way to kill it is to wear it down,” he told Blaine.
The human nodded, and when Lore spotted movement out of the corner of his eye, he saw the blue alien had joined them. He stared at Lore with golden eyes.
“Don’t know if you can understand me,” Lore said. “But the more cuts and wounds, the more it bleeds, the more likely we can get this thing down.”
The dag’tar was staring at them now, thumping its claws on the ground.
“Don’t let it pin you down,” Lore added, spinning his sword. “You won’t like the consequences.”
The beast man didn’t react, but Blaine gave him a nod.
Lore turned and charged. He ran in, ducking the animal’s swing, and slashing at the creature’s belly. Blaine was two steps behind him, hacking at the creature with his sword.
A second later, the blue alien landed on the dag’tar’s back, jamming his fighting forks through the creature’s fur.
Orange blood coated the sand, making it slick. Lore kept spinning, charging and slashing, working with the other two men. He couldn’t see Madeline, but he assumed she and the women were staying out of range.
Suddenly, he heard shouts. He looked over and saw guards rushing down toward the fighting pit.
“Over here!” Madeline’s voice rang across the pit.
He turned and saw the gates on a large tunnel slowly rising, the chains lifting it clanking as it rose. Drak. He suspected a whole bunch of Srinar guards were going to rush in at any minute.
Madeline sprinted toward the gate. She grabbed the chains, trying to keep the gate from opening. The other women rushed to help her.
The dag’tar swung a claw in Lore’s direction. He reacted, just barely ducking beneath it. Then he had an idea.
He jammed his sword back in its scabbard on his side, and raced toward Madeline. He shouldered past her and grabbed the chain. He gave it a giant heave, trying to break it.
But the damn thing was strong. “Blaine!”
Blaine appeared and gripped the chain with him. The blue alien was busy keeping the dag’tar off them. Together, Lore and Blaine tugged, and the chain broke.
Lore lifted it. It was drakking heavy. “Lure him to me. I’m going to get this around his neck.”
Madeline nodded. “You get ready. I’ll bring him this way.”
What? He’d meant Blaine. Before Lore could stop her, she turned and ran across the sand toward the dag’tar. She waved her arms at the creature.
“Over here, you big, ugly thing.”
The dag’tar spun, sniffing the air. Its gaze zeroed in on Madeline, and it made a sound. It started lumbering toward her.
She walked backward, waving it closer. Then the animal picked up speed, each step getting faster and faster. Lore hefted the chain, getting it ready.
Madeline’s eyes widened as the dag’tar ran at her. She turned, sprinting toward Lore, her arms pumping.
The creature put on a burst of speed, faster than Lore had imagined possible. It tore after her.
Come on, dushla. Faster. Lore saw Blaine and the blue alien, trying to gain the beast’s attention. But it had Madeline’s scent now.
Lore focused on the chain, setting his ability free. He blocked out Madeline’s scared face, and the boom of the animal’s steps. He started to swing the chain over his head, around and around.
A little closer. Just a little closer. “Madeline! Drop!”
She dropped instantly to the dirt, throwing her arms over her head. The dag’tar thundered over her, and Lore flung the chain. It was glowing red-hot.
It wrapped around the creature’s neck, burning into its fur and setting it alight.
The dag’tar stopped in its tracks, roaring and turning in a confused circle. It tried to tear at the chain, but its arms were too long.
Lore sprinted toward it. He leaped over Madeline, drawing his sword. He saw Blaine and the blue alien running in from the sides. The three of them charged together, skewering the dag’tar with their weapons—again and again and again.
The animal gave a wild cry and took one staggering step. Then it collapsed, the ground shaking, flames still flickering over its body. The stench of burning hair and flesh was overpowering.
Lore heaved in air, his lungs working like bellows. He turned and saw Madeline on one knee, looking at him. She smiled.
She was covered in blood, sweat and dirt, and he’d never seen anything so beautiful.
Then behind her, he saw another gate open, and a wave of guards rushed in.
Lore ran, but the guards reached Madeline and the women before him.
Madeline fought hard, fists swinging, but a second later, one backhanded her and she dropped to the ground.
“No!” Lore yelled, attacking the Srinar guard closest to him.
Blaine streaked forward and attacked them, as well. The blue alien roared, rushing to attack the guards harassing the other three women.