to this moment

The feeling of her fangs on flesh brought a renewed sense of victory, if she managed this hold she would be the victor. The satisfying taste of blood excited her, but with one misstep it was all over. She cried out as he threw out her leg and her body was sent to the ground. The weight of the world closed in on her as Poem felt his teet on her scruff. The feeling of those long fangs on her shoulder blades made her shutter as he pulled back her head and exposed the soft flesh of her throat.

Poem panted heavily, her chest heaving as the adrenaline raced through her veins. As it diminished all she could feel was a hopelessness take over. He pressed her into the dirt and made sure that she knew she lost. She blinked back tears as he insulted her before releasing his hold.

He allowed her to stew in her loss for a long moment, and she found it hard to bring her gaze above the sand. She’d lost. Her father’s confidence in her ability was unfounded, her mother’s hope that her daughters would be returned dashed. What would she tell Motif?

”Name it.” She spoke, the confidence in her tone diminished but her determination was not. There was little choice now, she could only hope that he would keep true and Motif would be released.