CHAPTER EIGHT THE FIRST ATTACK
SHAARR
Predators learn or die. The Rootmaws were learning. Rowan activated the probe near a deep-root vent. The earth answered immediately. One ridge rose behind us.
Another to the left. A third ahead. Rowan disconnected. Too late.
"They're surrounding us."
"Yes."
"Do they normally hunt in groups?"
"No."
"Wonderful."
The first Rootmaw surfaced behind us. The second angled across the slope. Not random. Driving us.
I changed direction.
"They learned the beacon."
Rowan glanced toward the third ridge.
"From one exposure?"
"Enough."
The earth opened ahead. The third creature emerged. Trap complete.
"Up."
Rowan looked at the narrow branch cut.
"You?"
"Move."
For once, he did not argue. He climbed. I turned toward the first animal. It lunged.
I struck the jaw seam. Pain tore through my side as the half-healed wound opened. Irrelevant. The second Rootmaw came from my blind side. Its hooked limb caught my shoulder. I rolled under it.
The ground vibrated beneath me. Third creature. Below. I jumped.
Soil exploded where my legs had been. Rowan shouted my name from above. The sound cut through everything. The nearest Rootmaw turned toward him. No.
I launched across the slope. My shoulder hit its side. We went over the ledge together. Branches broke below us.
I caught one. The Rootmaw did not. Its weight disappeared into the ravine. The branch bent under me.
I started pulling up. Pain struck the scar beneath my dead eye. White. Violent.
My good lateral vision blurred. For one second there were two forests. Two ledges. Two Rowans.
Then the surviving Rootmaw hit the root holding me. Wood cracked. Rowan shouted again. The branch broke.
I fell.