Magical explosion

Annabeth felt more nauseous than ever. Red spots danced before her eyes, but she helped Sadie drag the dog creature backwards by its tail into the sand dunes…

Its red aura glowed more brightly, while the golden rope dimmed. Normally Annabeth liked walking on the beach. The ocean reminded her of Percy. But today she was hungry and exhausted. Her backpack felt heavier by the moment, and the dog creature’s magic made her want to hurl.

The dog monster howled. The magical ropes exploded like a grenade, spraying the beach with golden shrapnel.
The blast knocked Sadie across the dunes like tumbleweed.
Annabeth slammed into the ice-cream truck. Her limbs turned to lead. All the air was forced out of her lungs.
If the dog creature had wanted to kill her, it could have, easily.
Instead, it bounded inland, disappearing in the weeds.
Annabeth instinctively grabbed for a weapon.