mysterious as the dark side of the moon

The night was black and the shadows were tall. They spoke and the Spire listened. Well... Not the Spire exactly. But close enough. After the witch with the lightning in her fingers had burned it, it had retired to its favourite hiding place to rest. But now fingers drummed through the obsidian monolith, tip-tapping into its ears and drawing its attention. It woke. Hungry. The creature dropped to the ground with a soft thump directly behind Edrei, a long stream of drool sliding between its jagged and uneven teeth. A chittering, hoarse noise left its throat - laughter, if they weren't mistaken. Then it swiped for the Launceleyn-girl's back, intent on shredding ribbons from her flesh. Wessex it nearly lunged for - nearly. But, as if recognising something, it lifted its eyeless head to the night air and sniffed. Once. Twice, weaving closer, closer still until its wretched breath was inches from her face. Then it screamed, a high and horrible sound that sent spittle flaying out and over the Ascended. My territory. Get out. They would have only one chance to run. whatever doesn't kill me better run