158 The Intrepid Heroine

The spaded snake never thought she would be fighting for her life.

This was supposed to be a routine hunt no different from the others she had done before. But she had made the choice to hold the creature back so that her team could escape.

And now, she choked as she was dragged further under into the murky water, together with the creature that repulsed her.

In the water, the creature fought against her hold, aided by vines that burst out from its mouth to spread across the murky water like grasping threads.

Everything was slippery, and she was forced back against the torrent, in competition against the wiry vines that were determined to keep them separated.

Tendrils spread across from its body, blocking her path to the creature, and she saw its murky dead eyes twist in grotesque cheer as it watched her struggling, all the while waiting for her to drown.