I don't want to die.
My lungs burned like they were full of fire. Every nerve in my body screamed as the Matriarch's tail squeezed tighter around my throat. The edges of my vision narrowed, black spots blossoming like ink in the dark.
I kicked. I clawed. I twisted in every direction, desperate to break free. But nothing worked. Her grip was absolute.
This was it. This was the end.
Then—suddenly—the tail released.
I dropped like a stone, slamming into the dirt with a crunch. Pain shot up my ribs, but I didn't care. Air surged back into my chest, jagged and violent. My body convulsed as I coughed so hard it felt like my lungs might claw their way out through my throat. Spittle and blood sprayed the ground.
For several seconds, I couldn't even lift my head. My entire world was ragged gasps and burning pain, every breath scraping my throat raw.
But instinct forced my eyes up. I had to see why the Matriarch had let me go.
