Not sure what I think of this. Please review.
Machiavelli took a deep breath as Mawpatusc's face inched closer to his own. He instantly regretted doing so as his nostrils filled with the stench of rotting meat. It was always the same he thought tiredly. Billy had sat up, and was looking around. Machiavelli knew his time was running out, and they needed a distraction fast.
"Excuse me," he said softly, his eyes averted, "but would you be so kind as to answer a question I had?" Mawpatusc backed up and looked at him suspiciously, her blood-red eyes narrowing into slits.
"I suppose, but choose your words carefully," she said her thin black tongue slipping in and out between razor edged fangs. Machiavelli tensed ready for the impact his words could bring,
"What did make you choose to dwell in such a dingy cave?" The cat lunged as Machiavelli drew upon his aura to create a thin shield between himself and his attacker. Mawpatusc bounced off the shield, but the collision sent Machiavelli flying as well. He recovered quickly, and turned towards Mawpatusc who was still slightly stunned. The next stunt would need a great deal more of Machiavelli's power, but to save themselves it would be necessary. He decided to use a bit of alchemy, because against the raw power of the Wampus cat, it may be their only hope. He concentrated, and the snakelike odor was impossible to miss now. As he worked, the stone beneath the cat's giant paws began to soften, and it pulled the creature in. The quicksand squelched as it reached her knees. Machiavelli stumbled a little his energy depleted. He looked at Mawpatusc who was now howling and thrashing around, and decided the quicksand would be enough. He headed over to Billy, grabbed his shoulders, and heaved the disgruntled kid to his feet.
"Tell me," said Machiavelli, slightly out of breath, "that while you were sitting here staring at the wall, you came up with a plan to get us out." Billy grimaced, and suddenly Machiavelli wished he had a plan of his own. Billy had searched the room thoroughly during Machiavelli's distraction, but nothing had stood out. He was having trouble finding where they had entered. Machiavelli was staring at him apprehensively, waiting for him to share his idea.
"There's no easy way out," Billy said. He continued to scan the room, "but I think the only way is to get permission from her . . ."
"Well that's not going to happen," Machiavelli muttered turning toward the Wampus cat, who was still struggling wildly in the quicksand.
"Or we could use our auras to crack open the wall, because honestly. . . I think we're stuck." Machiavelli sighed at Billy's plan, for creating the quicksand had left him tired. However, he believed Billy was right. Mawpatusc had strong magical abilities, and she would have no problem creating an exit less prison by which visitors could leave only with her consent.
"Yes, that does seem to be the only escape, but Billy you'll have to do most of the work. I haven't quite recovered yet." Billy nodded, and the two of them stood side by side, their hands raised to the wall. Mawpatusc gave a yowl, and Machiavelli shuddered remembering the lore. It was said that if you heard the howl of a Wampus cat, within three days someone would die and be buried. Machiavelli hoped this was one myth that had no grain of truth. The power from their auras began to flow. Gray and purple, snake and cayenne, mixing in the air. The energy smashed into the wall with surprising force, and the pressure sent thin cracks streaking across the stone. Machiavelli felt his powers draining, but he struggled to help Billy; the cracks in the wall continued to split, and expand. He couldn't hold out any longer. Machiavelli's knees buckled, and he crumpled to the floor, his breathing harsh and ragged.
