The Bite

One creature slipped through.

It came from behind, smaller than the others and almost silent. The princess turned at the last instant.

Too late.

Teeth closed at her shoulder. Green fire flashed beneath her skin. She tore the creature away and crushed it beneath her hand, but the wound had already begun to glow.

For one terrible moment, the entire swarm seemed to pause.

Then every dead butterfly in the garden turned toward her.