CONRY

“For how long are we going to keep waiting?”

Jade’s voice was low, tight. Like he was holding it together with his teeth.

I didn’t look at him. My eyes stayed on the cave mouth. Dark. Still. Staring back like it was alive.

“Until the beast leaves,” I said.

Jade let out a sharp breath. “I don’t think I can sit here any longer.”

He shifted. Then moved.

“Jade—”

Too late.

He slipped out from behind the stone.

The roar came instantly.

It tore out of the cave ...