The moment the carriage stopped. All hell broke loose. Because standing right there, blocking the road like the universe was personally mocking me, was something straight out of that stupid, silly, questionable movie I had just told them about.
I blinked once. Then again. "…No," I said softly from inside the carriage. "Absolutely not."
Outside, framed by twisted trees and drifting shadow, stood a beast. Humanoid body. Broad shoulders. Long, clawed arms. And on top of it… A shark's head. In the middle of the woodland? What the fuck? Seriously? I know I messed up the story but this? This is stupid. Not cute. Not heroic. Not "children's fantasy." No. This was the nightmare version. Gray-blue skin stretched tight over muscle. Gills flaring. Rows of serrated teeth glistening with saliva that dripped onto the forest floor with wet, impatient sounds. Its black eyes rolled lazily, locking onto movement like it was already deciding who to eat first.
