Marcus knelt down. He looked the dragon girl in the eyes.
She was shaking. Her pupils were slits.
"Hey," Marcus said softly. "Look at me."
She tore her gaze away from the giant monster. She looked at Marcus.
"He is big," Marcus admitted. "And he looks scary."
He brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"But he is on our side," Marcus promised. "He is friends with the other girl. The one who healed you."
The dragon girl blinked. She remembered the healing light.
"He won't hurt us," Marcus said firmly. "I won't let him."
He tightened his grip on her hand. It was a promise of protection.
She took a shaky breath. She nodded.
She trusted Marcus. If he said the monster was safe, she would try to believe him.
Marcus stood up.
"Okay," he said. "Let's go."
He led her out of the tunnel. They stepped into the cool night air.
The scale of the bear was even more impressive outside.
He towered over them. His shadow stretched long across the clearing.
