The first guard lunged, spear raised. Ligon moved before the sound reached his ears.

A blur.

Claws met armor and cleaved through it like parchment. The serpent's scream ended with a wet crunch as his spine folded backwards, his throat half-torn, his eyes still wide in disbelief.

Another came from behind. Ligon didn’t even turn. The darkness slid from his shadow to attack, slick and alive. Wrapping around the attacker’s legs before spearing upward through his chest. The body convulsed ...