He and Dean were standing on the high wooden platform, in the thick branches of an enormous tree where they’d once met with Emalie to plan. The river was far below, hidden beneath the canopy of a lush rainforest. Strange birds and creatures called through the perpetual folds of mist. Here and there, other giant trees sprouted up through the jungle and atop these were more platforms, orange fires glowing, indicating secret meetings in progress. Oliver instinctively looked around, but their fire was out, the platform empty— Except for a giant winged creature. It had charred, maroon skin and thick, muscular legs that ended at pearl-white talons, bat-like leathery wings, a wolf-like face, and giant yellow eyes. It looked down at the two of them and screamed. “Keeeeaaatchhhhhh!” “Um …” said Dean worriedly. “Please don’t be alarmed.” Oliver spied another square copper box with a speaker implanted in the creature’s chest.
