upper windows. Her eyes stole to the base of the station. The building butted up right next to its neighbor, a general store, leaving no alley where she might take cover. Cursing silently, she remained where she was, praying that Our Lady wouldn't snort or do anything to make their presence known.
The shadow remained where it was, the dark knob of the creature's head twisting slightly. After a few minutes, a long, sinewy arm flowed into the dim light of the street. Cora could see the black tips on the fingers as they probed the front of the station, finding purchase on the outer sill of an upper window. The second arm followed, its fingers coming to rest on the porch roof. Gray skin glimmered in the pale light as the wendigo lowered itself toward the window like a giant, misshapen spider.
The monster paused in front of the window. Cora could make out the thin locks of hair still clinging to its scalp as she leveled her revolver. Scarcely daring to breathe, she pulled the hammer back. The wendigo's attention remained on the window, searching the interior of the station, oblivious to her presence, and she allowed herself a small smile. All kills should be this easy.
At that moment, the door to the station burst open. The noise made her jump, and her finger squeezed the trigger. The shot went wide, slamming into the wall near the creature's torso as the Colt's thunder rolled through the silent streets. The wendigo's head snapped up, and its yellow eyes gleamed at her. A wailing moan escaped its black lips.
"Goddammit, Sanchez!" Cora yelled. The deputy stood in the doorway, torch in hand, looking startled by the gunshot and her curse. Cora punched her heels into Our Lady's sides, spurring her into a sudden gallop as the dark shape leapt toward her. It crashed into the snow where she had been a moment ago. Looking over her shoulder, she could see the frostbitten fingers clawing at the snow as the wendigo righted itself and gave chase. She couldn't hope to hit it firing backward from the back of a galloping horse. Turning back around, she gave Our Lady another punch with her heels. The terrified mare pounded down the street, snow flying in chunks from beneath her hooves.
A row of buildings loomed ahead of them, marking a street corner. Cora cursed, knowing they would have to slow down to make the turn. Stealing another glance over her shoulder, she realized they wouldn't make it that far. The wendigo was closing the distance. Keeping her eyes on the approaching monster, Cora clenched the Colt in her hand and thumbed the hammer back. It would be on them in a matter of seconds, and she might only get one shot. She prayed she would be fast enough. Her hands and feet throbbed from the cold.
A shout echoed ahead of her. Turning her face into the stinging wind, she could see another rider charging toward them, a torch blazing in his hand. One of the marshal's deputies. Her heart lifted at the sight, and she glanced backward again. She could see the wendigo's teeth clacking together in savage hunger beneath those demonic eyes. Holding her breath, she bent down, bringing her face close to Our Lady's lathered neck. The oncoming rider swept past them, the torch passing just above her head as he swung it toward the monster's face. The wendigo let out a hiss and veered away from the flames. Cora turned her head as she sat upright in the saddle. The dark, spindly shadow was circling back toward the deputy. She pulled on the reins, slowing Our Lady as quickly as she dared. The mare kept her footing on the snow-packed road, rearing her head as Cora turned her back toward the monster.
The wendigo circled the rider, lashing out at the torch with long arms. The deputy kept his saddle, fighting both monster and mount as his horse stamped in terror beneath him. A smaller flame flashed from the pistol in his other hand, the gunshots echoing down the street.
Laying a hand on Our Lady's neck, Cora urged her into a trot. It wouldn't be long before the creature managed to knock the torch from the lawman's grip, but she was too far away to have a clean pistol shot. Our Lady fought against her reins, trying to turn away from the scene before them, but Cora guided her forward with a firm hand. The