Trevor swung Jen behind him and hoped fiercely that he could get another neck between his hands before they pulled him down.
The dark shadows flashed down. He could see the sun-stones glittering in their heads. They struck straight at him....
But at the last split second they swerved away.
Trevor waited. They came back again, very fast, but this time it was at Jen they struck, and not at him.
He got her behind him again in time. And once more the hawks checked their strike.
The truth dawned on Trevor. The hawks were deliberately refraining from hurting him.
"Whoever gives them their orders, the Korins or that Other, doesn't want me hurt!"
He caught up Jen in his arms and started to run again toward the rocks.
Instantly the hawks struck at Jen. He could not swing her clear in time. Blood ran from the long claw-marks they left in her smooth, tanned shoulders.