we tumbled across the floor in a tangle of flailing arms and legs , his snapping mouth catching upon the tail of my jacket and shredding it to pieces , his left claw swiping at my face while i held on to his wrist , pushing with all my might , with my free hand jabbing at his eyes , which were burning fever-bright now , and by the glow of the fire i could see reflected in them my own face , contorted in fear .