CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FIVE

The beast broke free of the dragon's grip, spinning around and knocking him off his feet again. It turned its attention back to Yara, its hollow eyes glowing with hunger.

There was no time to think, no time to run.

The dragon was back on his feet in an instant, rushing to her side once more.

The ground shook as it landed, sending vibrations through her body. Yara's twin daggers gleamed dully in the low light, but they felt insufficient against the creature's sheer size and speed.

"Why is it so hard to hit?" Yara panted, frustration flooding her. "I can't land a hit!"

The dragon's jaw clenched as he swept in to engage the beast. He lunged forward, driving his shoulder into the creature's side, which roared in fury and spun around, narrowly missing Yara again.