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As it got closer, it got larger. By the time it was circling them, the snake was massive. It looked like it could’ve easily swallowed a moose! The enormous creature circled its coils around them. She and Bec had to sit close to avoid touching the creature's scaly sides, but the coils weren’t squeezing.

The snake lifted its large head high in the air and opened its mouth. “I've got the girls! They're safe!”

Bec’s mouth dropped open. “I’m dreaming,” she croaked, slumping down. “That snake went from being a few feet to aslong as a big rig and thick as my car. Then it talked. This can’t be real.”

Mila cupped Bec’s cheeks, making the woman meet her gaze. “This is all real. Whoever this snake is must be a friend. They’re protecting us. Rescue is coming, don’t panic.”

Bec didn’t respond, she looked like she was in shock. Hopefully that meant she’d stay within the safety of the coils.

The sound of yelling and gunfire filled the air. Standing up, Mila could almost look over the serpent’s bulk. Jumping, she got her arms over the top of the snake's body, much like she and her siblings would get up on the neighbor's patient old horse.

Kicking her legs, she managed to pull herself up. Resting her chest on top of the snake, she had an excellent view of chaos.

Giant wolves were darting in and out of the shadows, avoiding gunfire and occasionally managing to drag a man into the darkness beyond. Several creatures that looked like a combination of lions and other animals were roaring and advancing through the hole she’d made in the back wall with the truck.

Suddenly the snake’s giant head was in front of her. She let out a meep of surprise, then he was nudging her back down into the coils. Once she was standing shoulder to shoulder with Bec again, the snake looked satisfied.

“Stay there,” he ordered. “I’m bullet resistant, you aren’t!”

“Thank you, Mr. Snake,” Bec said, then covered her mouth with her hand. “Did I really say that?”

“My name’s Danzig,” the snake said without a single sibilant word. “I’m not a snake, I’m a Jörmungandr, a world serpent.”

Mila blinked up at Danzig. “Nice to meet you.”

“This is real,” Bec whispered, petting Danzig’s coil. “This can’t be real, but it is.”

“Trust me, I’m real,” Danzig said, his voice a little choked. “Please stop doing that, I’m sensitive there.”

Bec pulled her hand away with a horrified expression. “Sorry!”

“You’re welcome to stroke me later.” Danzig flicked out his tongue. “You smell good.”

Was Danzig flirting with Bec?

Suddenly his head lifted to look at something they couldn’t see. “Crap!”

Very much like a snake, he opened his mouth wide and two enormous fangs emerged. His head shot down out of sight, and she heard a garbled scream. She half expected Danzig’s head to reappear with human legs sticking out. Thankfully, when she could see him again, there weren't any legs or gore on him, but he looked disgusted.

“Eww,” he said, spitting a few times. “Do these people not believe in soap?”

“Mila!”

The familiar sound of Gio's voice made Mila lift her arms and jump up, trying to wave over Danzig’s coils.

“I’m here!” she screamed. Gio appeared on top of Danzig’s coil, covered in blood. “Oh god, you’re hurt!”

“It’s not mine,” Gio said as he reached down and effortlessly lifted her by both hands onto Danzig’s coil. “Oh, your face! Will it hurt if I hug you,bellezza?”

She answered by wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tight. His arms went around her, and he held her gently.

“That’s sweet, but not comfortable,” Danzig grumbled and the coil under them shifted. She gasped but didn’t have a chance to panic. Holding her close, Gio slid them down Danzig’s scales until his feet hit the ground with her cradled in his arms.

“You’re safe,” he whispered. “You’re safe.”

She thought he was assuring himself as much as her.

“Is she okay?” That was Carter, running up to them completely naked. He didn't stop until he was on her other side, wrappinghis arms around her and Gio. Now she was cradled against both their chests.