Something shot past the edge of the monster's wing just then with a loud fft, slashing open the dark, leathery hide and spilling several drops of bright, lurid orange blood. The monster gave a scream of alarm, turning her attention away from Liya, who held on tight as the monster bucked in midair.

"What the fuck was that??" the monster roared, and then, "oh shit oh shit!"

Liya finally tore her eyes from the talons hovering just out of reach. Something below her was casting a wan, supernatural glow up through the monster's membranous wings, bleaching the night brighter. Another missile went streaking past the monster's wing, this time cutting deep into the muscle--and high above her, framed by the distressed arch of her neck and the now torn-open curve of her wing, something was diving towards them.

It was grey, or at least it looked grey in the blazing moonlight. It had wings like a bird. Liya thought of Hawk.

She thought of this, and was filled with a sudden fury.

"I warned you!" she shouted, and made a lunge, grabbing one of the monster's huge toes on its free foot. With a massive heave she yanked the talon towards herself, slicing her hand and her cheek open as she hooked it through the strap around her neck--it didn't matter, light was already surging along her nerves as the strap split easily on the edge of the talon.