Raven climbed again, but not too high. Higher might expose them. Lower might invite another leap. The shadow beast's tail lashed once, irritated and cautious at the same time.
Below, Asher saw the near hit and snarled. "They jump too?"
"Apparently," Liam said.
"They are becoming less charming."
"They were never charming."
Another beast lunged before Asher could answer.
The next sequence came harder.
Two engaged together for the first time. One feinted toward Asher, absorbing a controlled flame strike across its hide and rolling through the impact as if testing the heat. The second went for Liam's path as he moved to punish the first. Liam caught the pattern too late to avoid entirely. He formed a shadow plate against the ground and kicked off it, twisting his body sideways as the maw snapped across his uniform. Teeth tore fabric but missed flesh by less than a finger's width.
Asher's blue flame struck the second beast's face.
It reeled, smoking, but not enough.
