Book 3 - Retrievers

XXVI - Lizards

Russia is about to answer with a reluctant 'yes' when he hears shouting outside.

'Oh no.'

"Stay here," Russia orders, turning on his heels.

He runs out the backdoor and doesn't pay Alabama's shouting any mind. He rushes into the backyard. Suddenly, something comes flying through the trees, crashing through blackberry spines.

Another humanoid monster tumbles through the air and hits the ground, dredging up mud as it carves a trail into the dirt. Dixie runs after it, Mississippi on his tail.

"I knew I shouldn't've pushed my luck!" Dixie exclaims, his fists clenched at his sides and a nasty sneer on his face.

Russia runs forward when Dixie turns around and shoves Mississippi to the side. Another creature lunges right for where the teen had been standing and Dixie reels back, punching it. It shrieks and flies out of view. Russia can hear it crashing through the plant life, and one of the trees seems to collapse because of it.

'Damn, I'm lucky I didn't get that when he punched me. I would not have kept my face.'

"Get inside and get you your brother! Stay out of trouble!" Dixie demands, shoving Mississippi toward the house.

Mississippi stumbles and Russia grabs his shoulder, steadying him before letting him go. Russia watches as Mississippi sprints back into the house. He yanks Alabama from the porch and into the door as he runs in. The door slams shut and Russia runs to Dixie's side.

"What are we dealing with?" Russia asks, clenching his hands into fists.

"A bunch of human-looking lizard monsters came out of nowhere. It's got to have somethin' to do with your magic earlier."

Russia spins around at movement and decks a hissing monster in its face. Then a larger creature bursts through the treeline with a loud hiss that makes Russia's blood run cold. He stares up at it and is almost blinded by the sunlight its scaly face reflects. It's almost three meters tall and looks almost like a huge dragon, but more human.

'It looks like the gorgons Greece talks about sometimes.'

"Shit!" Dixie yells.

It roars, and five more creatures creep out of the woodwork. The smaller ones charge, and Dixie throws them back, one by one. Russia eyes the largest of the group, his mind spitting thoughts a mile a minute.

The largest towers over them, its forked tongue flicking into the open air. Its eyes narrow and it begins scampering toward the house.

'I need to take that one out before it finds one of the kids.'

The smaller creatures begin to surround him.

'How am I going to do that?'

Russia grabs a slimy, reptilian arm from the fray and yanks the creature attached to it into the air. He flings it at the largest creature. The two collide, and the smaller one yelps, but neither seemed hurt in the crash, only angry.

Dixie ducks and weaves between the claws, sending them flying back with well-aimed hits.

Russia's head swivels around and he spots the thick trunk of a pecan tree behind him, its knots are worn down from climbing. Russia turns back to see the creature spitting and running toward him at inhuman speeds. It's a second away when Russia starts running directly for the tree.

"I hope you have a plan, Ruski!"

'I hope this works.'

Russia plants his feet into the base and runs up the side. The bark pushes against his boots. He hooks his heels onto one of the larger knots and springs off into the air.