The talon snatched at Nova just as her foot slipped; the wind whipped around her, the claws snapping shut an inch away from her head as she fell into the water. Again. She gripped hard on her phone, which would be pretty much useless at this point.
Unlike the lake, a current dragged her body roughly to the side. Nova held her breath, which suddenly whooshed out of her as she slammed into a boulder. She grasped at it, holding on as hard as she could, making her arms and fingers burn at the exertion. This entire ordeal had been life or death since emerging from that lake, so she didn't let her silly thoughts about it being a dream take over.
Nova was sure if she just let herself drown or let that big-ass bird take her, she would actually die. Or maybe be tortured? Was this hell? Nothing was certain.
Right now, the only thing that did make sense was to drag herself to the surface and breathe!
With all her might and on shaky arms, Nova pulled herself above the surface, using some lodged branches and trunks of fallen trees for help. She gasped for air, her short locks sticking to her forehead as she searched around her in a panic.
Her body trembled, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins. If it wasn't for her adrenaline, Nova was sure she'd be dead meat by now. This place, this island, was not her world. She was from civilisation, with cars and trains, the only exercise in an air-con, state-of-the-art facility with personal trainers telling her what to do to stay fit.
No, not fit. It was to keep her body in excellent condition. To look good for Chad and to help with her stress levels. It was not this. It was not for survival, and this was all completely out of her league.
Nova grunted as she sat up, calming her breathing and thoughts.
Where's that damned bird? The Ixana? Ixana was the bird's name?
Nova located the mighty bird of prey soaring downstream, hovering above the spot she'd first fallen in. A second, smaller one had settled on a boulder nearby, its head jerking in sharp movements as it scanned the river. Both watched the water, searching for her. This was her chance to escape. Falling into the river was a small blessing.
She looked across the river where more rainforest was. Felipe hadn't taken her across the river before. The private militia Chad had hired warned them not to go because of predators and the natives. Now, she saw it as her only escape from these flying predators. Weighing up the odds right now of which situation is better—she'd rather take her chances on the other side of this river right now.
Nova assessed the boulders, some of them like stepping stones to get across this deep river. Her chances weren't really looking good either way. She had to try, that was her only option.
With a sharp inhale, Nova hoisted herself up as quick as possible, her legs kicking and dangling as she was already panting for breath with the weight of her dress clinging to her and weighing her down as she flopped onto the boulder. The eagles' heads snapped up, their eyes zeroed in on her location, their pupils flickering and dilating.
Her breath caught, only a few seconds ticking by as the eagles and Nova stared at each other, sussing who would move first.
F that!
Nova snatched her phone and scrambled to her feet as they moved in her direction. She panted, ran and hopped across the boulders, yelping when her heels almost gave away on top of unsteady rock or slipped but she righted herself and landed on the other side of the river, her knees grazing along the ground again as she fell forward then tumbled down a slope.
Nova covered her face as her body rolled down the terrain of uplifted roots until she finally stopped, her head face down in the ground where bugs crawled. She yelped and jumped up before the pain of her movements kicked in. She threw a huge centipede off her and shook herself off, "ugh," cringing before the pain settled in.
"Ow," she whispered, looking down at her muddied and ripped dress, her exposed arms with scuffs and dirt. Her knees took most of the damage, but it was fortunately only a deep graze and nothing more like a broken bone or a proper wound.
The whistling of those eagles swept by, but they circled ahead. She hid beside a cave but did not venture inside. There was no telling what was in there.
The larger eagle descended onto the treetop above Nova, her massive wings folding into a flowing dress of white and black feathers as she transformed. In her place stood a stunning woman, skin rich and earthen-toned, her white hair fanning out like a regal crown, striking against her deep complexion.
"Stop!" A male landed on another branch; his wings remained attached to his shoulder blades, and he was completely naked; his hair was windswept and messy, grey locks fading into white. Nova gaped at them. They were like angels—demonic angels?
While the man pleaded with the ethereal woman, her yellow eyes were focused on Nova, looking down her nose sharply. Nova was hidden behind that cavernous wall without venturing further inside, it was risky doing this already. But that stare seemed to pierce right through the wall like the bird-woman knew exactly where she was.
Although a wall was between them, Nova felt intimidated. Had she trapped herself?
The female finally moved her head to look at the man, the movement sharp, similar to how she'd acted in bird form. "You… Tell me… What to do?"
Nova couldn't help but watch her.
Intimidating and beautiful. Nova was a little in awe of her if not for the fact she was trying to kill or possibly eat her. She didn't know which one it was in this… situation.
"Of course not, Ixana," the man lowered his head. "We cannot follow further. Please. They might see and hunt us down."
Ixana hmphed. "Hunt you down. I am untouchable," she said boastfully, lifting her arms like they were her wings and turning her head to the side like a spotlight was on her. Nova was here for it. Nova was loving the vibe this killer was giving off.
That is not the point!
Killer, Nova, killer.
These birds might not go further, but she will have to. To escape them, she had no choice!