d or the mud. He just stood there, every inch

ot yours," she snapped, clutching the remnants o

his eyes. He didn't argue. He just turned and wal

muscles bunched and flexed. With a heave that sent dirt flying, he dragged the entire carcass a

had just dragged a monster the size of a truck like it was a heavy suit

to her. He crouched down, turning h

his broad bac

ated, more fi

st his naked back was mortifying. But the look he

nd her waist. The world spun. She found herself slung over his shoulder like

ing her fists against his back. It

hrough her body. He grabbed the tiger's leg

eous. She kicked her legs, but he held

moment to let out a l

s head slightly, his cheek brushing

oice was obvious, but it was directed at him

uickly, seeing an opportunity. "N

owned. "

had been since she'd eaten. She thought of the trail mix and dried mangoes she'd packed for Yosemite-back in her daypack, back in her world,

riousness as a battle plan. He stared at her for a

her on his shoulder, securing her wi

odging trees with a grace that belied his size. The wind whipped Cora's hair into her face

missing a stride, he stooped and seized the tiger's hind leg in his free hand. The enormous carcass lur

in. The smell of wood

side of a cliff, was a sprawling camp. It looked like something out of a fantasy

y were bare-chested, wearing only loincloths and

. His eyes widened when he saw Caleb, then nearly popped out

voice wavered. "Toll for entry, wande

s and the curve of her waist w

round them dropped. The killing intent that ro

er down. He did

t kick

didn't even scream; the air was knocked out of his lungs too fast. He flew backward like

p went

rp eyes darted from the broken gate to Caleb, and finally settled on the massive carcass trailing behind him. A Fourth-Tier beast. The elder swallowed hard, raising a hand to signal the guards to stand down.

her. Their eyes were wide, hungry, and predatory. Some w

not of dread settling in her stomach. She had just entered a vill