The amphisbaena disintegrated into yellow dust, leaving nothing behind but a well-tailored suit. I was saved from an awkward conversation, and the amphisbaena was saved from his wife killing him, when two crossbow bolts flew across the coach and killed him instead, pinning the poor snake’s necks against the back wall. Should I apologize to him for his inconvenience? Should I give him a tip? And if he wasn’t the threat that had set off my danger radar, what was? A giant serpent would be especially susceptible to oracular voices. Since ancient times, snakes have channeled the wisdom of the earth, because they live underground. It dawned on me that this monster might in fact be a regular commuter who’d been possessed, hijacked by the whims of Fate because…Of course. This amphisbaena had delivered a prophetic message. Those lines he’d spoken…I recognized the poetic meter. “Who are-? Wait, did I miss the Baltimore stop? My wife is going to kill me!” “What am I do-?” His left head looked at his right head. He sat up straight, elongating his necks until he was almost noses-to-nose with me. Muscles undulated along the length of his body as if he were coming to a slow boil. Must show the secret way unto the throne.Īs abruptly as he’d grabbed me, he let me go. “The son of Hades, cavern-runners’ friend, He spoke in a low double hiss that resonated in my bone marrow: Instead, he simply tightened his grip, stopping me in my tracks, clinging to me as if he were drowning. If he’d meant to kill me, I would have died. The creature lunged with incredible speed, lassoing my wrist with the loop of his false left arm. When the amphisbaena made his move, I thought I was prepared. His glistening brown-and-yellow diamond-pattern skin did not seem like the sort of thing one might wear to look more attractive on a dating app, unless one dated boa constrictors. Probably, being a giant snake, he couldn’t wear clothes right off the rack. The amphisbaena’s suit looked expensive and well-tailored. My trembling jaw and sweaty face made it hard to appear nonchalant. The monster sat unnaturally motionless, even for a reptile. Those eyes were definitely glowing, definitely fixed on me. I considered whistling a carefree tune, then remembered the whole quiet-car thing.įour rows from the monster.
I stumbled on my tingly legs, which didn’t help my “look casual” approach. Then I would go to the restroom, because I actually needed to. If the snake didn’t make a move, well, perhaps he really was harmless. At least I would have forced the inevitable confrontation. Hopefully Meg would put down her magazine long enough to come rescue me. If the amphisbaena attacked, I would scream. I decided to stroll down the aisle as if I were simply on my way to the restroom. If only I’d kept a smaller weapon, perhaps a dagger, concealed in my shirt. (I’m sorry, Meg, but those eyes were glowing, not gleaming.)
Meg would probably scold me for overreacting. Then again, that would telegraph my hostile intentions.
I could retrieve my bow and quiver from the overhead luggage compartment. Most of the time, I was still a pitiful seventeen-year-old boy. Despite my occasional bursts of godly power and skill, I couldn’t count on one when I needed it.
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