Deathlands 124: Child of Slaughter by James Axler

throwing knives into the eye of the pouncing see-through lion, interrupting its leap. The great cat landed on its feet, roaring in pain, and then it grew another eye beside the ruined one.
    Through the animal’s transparent skin, he could see the damage done by the blade. Blood poured from an artery, gushing inside and outside the wound. When the lionroared again, the wound widened, increasing the damage and blood flow.
    But within seconds, the bleeding stopped. Another artery grew beside the first, twining its way through the tangle of blood vessels and ligaments in the creature’s neck.
    “Just got interesting.” Jak drew a blade in each hand. He flexed his grip on both handles, took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he was about to do. “Wonder if limit how much can regrow?”
    As if in reply, the lion let out a loud roar.
    Jak twirled the knives in his hands. “Not worry, cat.” He stopped twirling and tightened his hold on them. “Find out fun way. Cut cat down to size, see if new one grows.”
    With that, he let out a roar of his own and charged at the lion, blades flashing in the rainy gray daylight.
    * * *
    K RYSTY STOOD STOCK-STILL as the swarm of piranha wasps surrounded her, their wings emitting an earsplitting whine.
    Each wasp had a head like a carnivorous fish—its maw packed with gnashing fangs—and an ebony body with a massive black-and-yellow-striped stinger. The creatures were big, the size of Krysty’s fist, and hovered menacingly all around her.
    Sweat beaded her forehead as they cut off all escape routes, even filling in the space above so she couldn’t leap clear. Heart racing, she watched their multifaceted black eyes, which appeared to be blank.
    Their intentions, she had no doubt, were nothing but hostile. The only real question remaining at that moment was when , not if , they were going to attack.
    Through gaps in the swarm, she glimpsed Ryan. He wasn’t more than twenty yards away, but he would be no help to her. He was busy facing an enemy of his own, some kind of enormous armored tarantula creature.
    Breathing deeply, Krysty shifted her stance to a crouch.As soon as she moved, the piranha-wasps inched toward her and buzzed louder.
    When she froze again, they moved no closer, nor did they give up the ground they’d just gained. Krysty was convinced: once she started moving in earnest, the capsule of creatures would collapse inward all at once, doing their worst to her.
    Still, she could think of no better idea. She would have to commit herself to the plan and hope she survived it.
    Slowly, she lowered her hand to the butt of the Glock 18C in the holster at her hip. The piranha-wasps twitched inward at the motion, then stopped when she stilled her hand.
    At that point, at the most, the creatures were two feet away from her. It would not take much for them to make contact.
    Soaked by the rain pouring through the gaps between bugs, Krysty took a deep breath and prepared herself. Her only chance was to once again call on Gaia, the Earth Mother, to come to her aid in her hour of need. She began her prayer, reaching out to the Gaia force in the world around her, triggering the cycle that would light her up like a Roman candle.
    There was a good chance she wouldn’t live through the next five minutes, and she knew it. She made her mental goodbyes to Ryan, and then she threw open the gates within her.
    It was as if the insect creatures could sense the power when it flooded into her. The whine of their wings grew louder as they closed in on her body.
    * * *
    J.B. FIRED BLIND, cranking off shots from the Mini-Uzi in an arc around him. Did a single round make contact with the creature that had been attacking him?
    He couldn’t tell, because he couldn’t see it in the first place.
    Then, suddenly, he realized the creature was still very much alive. Something heavy and rubbery slammed into him, knocking him off his feet and sending the gun flying from his grip.
    “Nuking hell!” J.B.