I’d freed the griffin. Now, he just needed to realize it.

Discarding the keys in the snow, I barked. As the griffin’s head shot downward, I raced away between his legs. And then I left the dog’s body. I didn’t want to be responsible for the canine being ripped to pieces—he’d likely be too disorientated after my possession to escape the beast—so I hurried back to the griffin and sank myself into him.

After fifteen tense seconds of trying to figure out how to work his wings, I managed to launch into the sky. The hunters yelled from the ground, but it was too late. I gained speed and soon they became small dots on the white ground.

I soared back to where I had left River, relieved that the creature possessed supernatural speed.

By the time I arrived, River had already managed to break out of the reception somehow, and several dozen hunters were searching the parking lot for her. I strained my eyes to spot River. I couldn’t. I moved closer to the ground, deciding that wherever she was, creating a distraction for her would help. I’d approached with great stealth, and the hunters hadn’t even noticed me… yet. Trailing my eyes on the ground, I singled out a hunter who looked particularly alone and swooped down toward him. By the time he realized what was happening, I’d already caught him between the griffin’s talons and begun crushing his limbs. His yells caught the attention of all the hunters. Several of them fired bullets at me. As I raced higher again, a couple of them lodged painfully into my side, but although they hurt like hell, they didn’t hamper my flight. They didn’t seem to affect me much more than a bee sting. I’d caught them off guard, and they apparently weren’t equipped with strong enough weaponry to take down a griffin.

Then I spotted River, racing over the barrier, in soaking wet pajamas, toward the foot of the nearest mountain. Discarding the hunter unceremoniously and sending him hurtling down into the crowd of hunters gathered beneath me, I shot toward River and managed to scoop her up. I’d been afraid that I would hurt her with my talons, but I didn’t have a choice. From the terror in her eyes as she first laid eyes on me, she certainly wasn’t going to voluntarily leap onto my back.

I flew with her until I found a cave, where I wanted her to rest for the night.

And now… now, in these early morning hours, I needed to prepare for the journey ahead of us. There were three things I needed to scout for River: warm clothes, food and water.

I was still faced with the same obstacle as before when I’d planned to return to The Shade in my ghostly form: I didn’t know exactly how to reach it. I had to be prepared for delays.

Flying over the mountains, I headed back to the ski resort I’d found earlier. I was guessing that they would have a shop filled with ski suits and thermal clothing that would be perfectly suited to River. I was right—there was a ski shop around the back of the resort, in its own designated building. With a thrust of my sharp beak, I broke through one of the wide glass windows, setting off a loud alarm in the process. But it didn’t matter. I would be quick.

I lunged for a rail of puffer coats. Trying not to cause any tears, I flung one over my shoulder and caught it with my tail, where it hung by the hood. Next, I collected thermal trousers, socks, boots, as well as a sturdy bag, scooping them up in my talons.

Once I was finished in the clothing section, to my pleasant surprise, I spotted a shelf filled with hiking supplies and long-life food. I added packets of protein bars to the contents in my talons, and then some bottles of water, until I could hold no more.

By the time security guards were racing from the main building toward the shop, I’d already launched back into the sky and flown off with the goods.

River was still asleep when I touched down outside the cave. The cavern had become chilly again without the heat of the griffin’s large body. After emptying my talons of the bag, packaged food and water, I crept over to River. I rested the coat gently over her like a blanket, and placed the other clothing items near where she rested. Then I retook my place several feet away from her.

River stirred slightly, clutching the coat more tightly against her. The expression of peace that overtook her face as she settled and lost herself in deep slumber again warmed my spirit more than the griffin’s body ever could.

River

As I opened my eyes to a cave flooded with sunlight, I cursed myself for having fallen asleep. I’d meant to stay up all night and watch for my opportunity to escape from this oddly possessive creature. Now, I might need to wait another day.

Sitting up, I realized that a coat had been resting over me. It was a ski-coat, apparently brand new, with its label still attached. Perched on another rock a few feet away from me was a pair of padded ski pants, warm boots and high thermal socks. Frowning, I gazed toward the exit. The griffin was standing there, close to the ledge, and gazing out at the snowy landscape, like a king beholding his kingdom.

Could he have found these clothes for me?

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I slid off the rock. My torn pajamas were bone dry—it must have been the effect of the griffin’s body heat all night. With the rays of sun streaming in through the entrance of the cave, I felt almost comfortable. I was still confused by the mysterious appearance of the ski garments, but however they’d gotten here, I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Wrapping the jacket around me and pulling up the zipper to my chin, I slid into the cozy pants before putting on the socks and boots. Then I moved through the cave and cautiously approached the griffin. Next to him was a large bag filled with… energy bars? And bottled water? Did this creature really find these for me, too?