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"What's the matter?" Cyrus called in alarm. "Were you bitten?" |
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She glued herself to his back. "No. My necklace burned the back of my neck. I guess it got hot lying in the sun." |
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"What are they doing?" she whispered in his ear. |
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"I think this means that our big-headed friend hasn't forgotten about us." |
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"Oh, Russ," Kyna said, doing a little dance at his back. "I hate snakes." |
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You think you hate snakes! he thought. "Then finish getting dressed and let's get the hell out of here." |
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The slick rock slowed the reptiles' advance, but through sheer mindless tenacity they managed to encircle the humans. Kyna wiggled into her shorts, then hopped first on one foot and then the other as she pulled on her boots. After hastily tying the laces, she clutched her sweater to her chest like a shield. |
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Cyrus turned and held out the stack of his clothing. "Hold on to these." |
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Her eyes dropped below his waist and she managed a wry smile. "What are you going to do? Wave your magic wand and scare them away?" |
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He gave her one of his looks, then turned back around and tried to clear his mind. This time dredging up fear wasn't a problem. He used the epinephrine rush to push the transformation, and when the change was complete he dropped down on all fours and rubbed his shaggy head against Kyna's leg. She jumpedtoo scared to understand what he was trying to do. He snorted and decided the main drawback to being an animal was the lack of communication skills. |
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With the reptiles only a few feet away, Cyrus shoved his head roughly between Kyna's knees and eased forward until she was perched precariously atop his shoulders. She squealed and dropped the stack of clothing, then grabbed a double fist- |
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