The vise that clamped down on its head struck like a god's hammer. It vaguely remembered such a hammer. . . .
But there was no time to think of ancient weapons. The monster writhed like a lizard, caught by a hawk, its limbs thrashing and flailing.
Thrashing and flailing in--nothing. Talons smote thin air; a tail lashed in emptiness. Everything was dark, a darkness not even the monster's eye could penetrate. Dimly, stunned, it realized that its head was in a giant maw. Realized--dimly, stunned--that it was being carried through the air. Like a lizard, caught by a hawk.
The monster's thrashing grew frenzied. Something smote its back. Almost--not quite--breaking the spine. But the blow was enough to paralyze the monster.
* * *
Not even his fear of Chernobog could have kept the shaman from fleeing in terror, now. The spirit that had passed over him had seemed like a golden avalanche of fury and destruction.
As it happened, the shaman was quite safe. He was beneath the Lion's contempt. Nor did he have to fear Chernobog's wrath. His master was far too busy--far too frantically busy--forging his own defenses to worry about the doings of a pitiful slave.
* * *
Some time later--how much, the monster was too dazed to know--it was tumbled to the ground, its head spit out of a maw like a bad seed.
Wildly, scrabbling to get back to its feet, the monster looked around.
It was back in the cage. Except . . . even as it watched, the tatters in the vapors closed in, barring any exit.
No, not closed in . . . were driven in, by the flapping of great wings. Seeing the size of those wings, the monster flinched.
Then, flinched again, as it finally looked at its assailant. Flinched, and sidled away. Whining in its throat.
There are rules, creature. The voice hammered into the monster's brain. This is no longer our time--neither yours, nor mine. But there are still rules!
The monster howled as a great paw slammed into its flank, ripping gouges in the flesh. The blow was terrifying in its power. For all its own strength, the monster knew it was no more than a mouse at the mercy of a cat.
A very large and angry cat.
Another blow, which broke the arm the monster raised to fend it off. Another blow, which shredded its snout. Fangs like swords clamped on its haunches. The monster was jerked off its feet, shaken like a mouse in the maw of a cat.
This time, the monster's spine did break. So did its shoulder, when it was hurled to the ground. So did its rib cage, under yet another hammerblow of a paw the size of an anvil.
The monster was shrieking pure terror, now. Another blow shattered its jaw, bringing silence.
That's better. You'll live, of course. Here in this . . . foul cage. Heal, soon enough. Those too are the rules.
The growling voice turned into a rumbling laugh. But I dare say you'll not try that again.
A giant paw was raised, in question. Frantically, the monster gargled agreement through a broken jaw.
Remember, beast. This is my city--no one else's. Tell that to Chernobog, when you see him next. He may attempt to destroy it, if he can. But he may not do as he pleases. THERE ARE RULES!
Another blow came, crushing the monster's skull.
* * *
Diego found his two companions in Eneko's room, looking wan and exhausted.
'Did you see a ghost?' he asked cheerfully.
