The griffin raised its beak, sniffing the air. Behind it, the house groaned. Lainie skidded backward as the griffin hauled itself to its feet. It was as tall as she was.
I’ve got to get out of here. Lainie looked around desperately. She’d fallen into what must be the old foundations of the house. A long enough drop to wind herself, but not to break anything. If she could just make her way through the rubble without disturbing the—she could barely make herself think it. The griffin. The griffin that had to be some sort of trauma-induced hallucination.
…And where’s Harrison?
Lainie wiped her wet hair off her face. The rain was still sheeting down, but at least out here in the open it was still just light enough to see by. There was no sign of Harrison.
Which means he’s probably trapped under something, she thought, her throat going tight. God, I hope he’s all right.
She had to get help. She had to believe that Harrison was still alive in there somewhere, and get help from Hideaway Cove to chase off the griffin and save him.
Chase off the griffin? Have you decided it’s real now? Is that what’s going on?
Lainie took a careful step backward, making sure her footing was secure before she shifted her weight. She’d already sprained one wrist. There was no way she’d be able to get out of here if she got her foot caught under a beam, or trapped herself in falling rubble.
The griffin was definitely looking at her. Lainie held her breath. It’s not real, she told herself.
But it sure as hell looks real.
Another crash from the house distracted her. She looked up behind the griffin to see another wall crumbling down toward her. There was no time for her to get out of the way.
The griffin moved faster than she would have thought possible, leaping between her and the falling masonry. Lainie screamed as the wall hit the creature, pushing it into her. They both tumbled backward. Floorboards shattered under their combined weight and Lainie shrieked as the ground disappeared beneath her. Again.
***
This time, she opened her eyes to pitch darkness. Her back was pressed up against cold stone, and her whole body felt battered.
Hot breath hit her face and she lashed out with her fist. Whatever she’d hit fell back with a strange noise like someone cracking all their knuckles at once.
“Ow!”
“Harrison?” Lainie couldn’t believe her ears.
“Lainie? Where are you? And… where are we?”
Lainie could have cried with relief. She felt the wall behind her. It was solid granite, too smooth to be natural. “In the basement, I think. Are you hurt?”
“Apart from my nose?”
Lainie reached out. Her fingers brushed against Harrison’s jaw. “I’m sorry. There was a—some sort of animal, or something…”
Harrison took her hands and held them between his. His hands were warm, and Lainie shivered, suddenly aware of how cold she was.
“I think it’s gone,” Harrison said after a moment. “At least…it’s not down here with us.”
“Well, that’s something.” Lainie shuddered. She didn’t resist as Harrison pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. “I thought—I didn’t see you, after the floor collapsed, and I thought…”
“Shh. I’m fine,” Harrison reassured her. “I came here to find you, and I’m just glad I got here in time.”
She let her head fall onto his shoulder. His skin was slick with rain, but he radiated heat. She snuggled into him. Hang on…
“What happened to your shirt?”
Harrison’s jaw tensed against the top of her head. “It, er—”
“You’ll freeze,” she said. “We’ve got to get out of here.”