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Then I spotted movement in the darkness on the other side of the fire. I tensed. Was there another monster?

I let out a deep breath. Kai appeared, moving soundlessly on the other side of the fire.Thank Christ.Zeke also materialized out of the dark, moving in behind the monster still sitting by the flames. I couldn’t see Marc or North, but I knew they’d be close.

“Greer,” I whispered.

“Jameson?”

“Be ready.”

“What—?” She looked toward the fire and gasped.

Zeke pulled a garrote over the monster’s head. He yanked it back and the creature jerked, but Zeke pulled the wire harder.

The canine sprang up, but Kai was ready. He flung a knife at it, and the blade sliced into the dog’s cheek. It let out a wild shriek, then sprinted for the trees.

Kai raced to help Zeke with the struggling monster. There were noises in the bushes right beside us.

My guess was, North and Marc were attacking the other humanoid that had gone into the trees.

Damn, I wanted to help, but the ropes weren’t budging.

I tugged harder. “Come on.”

Zeke and Kai had the monster pinned and Zeke was tugging hard on the garrote. I saw the creature’s clawed feet hammering the ground, then it went still.

Kai leaped up and jogged over. “Hi.”

“We’ve been waiting for you guys.”

My friend pulled out a knife and cut us free. I took Kai’s outstretched hand and let him pull me up. I ignored the multitude of aches and twinges in my body. We hugged and I slapped his back.

“We had no idea if you were alive,” Kai said. “I’m damn glad to see you.”

I helped Greer up.

Kai looked over at the remnants of the dead aquatic monster. “You did that?”

“Yeah, I was pissed. It almost drowned Greer.”

“Greer, you all right?” Kai asked.

She nodded and hugged him.

Zeke appeared, coiling up his garrote wire. “You look no worse for wear, Jameson.”

“I’m damn glad to see you guys.”

Marc and North appeared, splattered in black blood. North was scowling and swiped at his hair. Marc was grinning.

“That didn’t go quite to plan,” Marc said.

“I’ll say,” North muttered.

Marc spread his arms. “The monster had frills on its neck. Wasn’t expecting that. It is dead though.”

“Marc, you’re okay?” I asked, my gaze running over him.

“That tentacle had a tight grip on you,” Greer said.