And Gaffer, he didn't move because he couldn't.
He was too awed. His gaze burned, not with hunger this time but with very deep and wild admiration and greed.
Even with the last creature still standing, and looking at Linda lie it'd devour her alive, Gaffer didn't know why he had grown so much faith in her at that moment.
Silence fell among the crowd when the creature's eyes turned red and fire broke out from it's tail as it walked in a predatorial way towards Linda.
"Come to me," Linda breathed when it got close.
She slowly and carefully touched it's head, easing it down.
Her hand lingered just long enough to feel the fiery creature's breathing steady.
Then she let go.
The arena remained quiet for a beat, then suddenly erupted.
The last beast stilled beneath her hand.
For a moment—nothing.
No movement. No sound.
Linda straightened slowly, breath catching faintly in her throat, her fingers twitching once before settling at her side.
