Chapter 26: Blackened Hands
Irwin turned and ran further into the building, pulling Greldo with him. The growling and padding grew louder.
Greldo cursed, pulled free, and ran with him.
Ahead, Daubutim was up, club and shield in hand, as he stared at the door. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes wide. Irwin saw a glimpse of fear in them, the first he'd seen. Twintin stood two steps away, shuddering as she pushed herself against the wall as if trying to go through.
Before he reached them, the building shook as something slammed into it. Twintin screeched, and Irwin turned to see a massive head poking into the building, glaring at them. The stone around the entrance was cracking and crumbling from the impact. The hound's red irises were glowing and pulsing while thin red tendrils leaked into the white eyeballs.
As the eyes focused on him, Irwin felt himself freeze.
The hound backed up, then slammed its shoulders into the building again, causing a violently cracking sound as a tear ripped through the left wall, bits of debris raining down.
"What now?" Daubutim asked, his voice stable but a pitch higher than usual.
Irwin stared at the hound. Was it his imagination, or did it look hungry?
"Twintin, try your skill!" Greldo shouted.
The girl didn't respond, staring wide-eyed and pale-faced at the hound.
Irwin stepped forward, grabbed and shook her, causing her teeth to rattle together.
"Try your card," he shouted, his own panic growing.