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“If lucky, a few hours. But I don’t know how long before the mist returns.” The old woman rubbed her forehead. “Two big spells in one day is something better suited to the young.”

“Thank you,” Avera murmured. “Without you, all would have been lost.”

“Only because you wouldn’t flee.” Opal sighed. “Although, I can respect that you care enough not to abandon your companions.”

“We need to bind your wound,” Josslyn exclaimed, noticing the blood still dripping from Avera’s hand.

“I’m fine. It’s just a little cut.”

“A cut to save us. Your blood broke that thing’s hold,” Gustav, ever observant, remarked.

“Because she is of the Voxspira line,” Opal stated as she stood unsteadily.

“Which means what? Why is my blood special?”

“I don’t know. What I do know is you need to leave before Zhos gathers enough strength to send the mist again. I don’t have it in me to cast another spell.”

“Leaving sounds like an excellent plan,” Gustav declared. “I am not keen on being a puppet again. Shall we brave the cold?”

“We will depart shortly, but not in the direction we arrived,” Avera said, watching as the number of on the ledge townsfolk dwindled as they fled the mountain. “Opal says there’s a shortcut to Seaserpent Bay on the opposite side.”

“Why would we go to that port?” Gustav looked and sounded puzzled.

“Because I’m to go on a quest.”

Gustav might have kept asking questions, but Avera clapped her hands and crowed, “Luna! She escaped too!”

Or so she thought, until she realized her charging horse wasn’t stopping. On the contrary, Luna huffed and lowered her head as she aimed right for Avera!

Chapter 19

Luna didn’t charge alone.Other animals followed in her wake: horses, a wolf, a few pigs and chickens, even squirrels.

“Stand behind me, Majesty.” Gustav planted himself before Avera, his sword ready to slay her steed.

“No. You can’t kill Luna.” Avera threw herself past him, bloody hand outstretched.

Luna whinnied as she rose on her hindquarters, readying to trample. Avera didn’t flee but rather darted close enough to slap her steed’s chest with her red-stained hand.

The effect was immediate. Her mare gently lowered herself and snorted in apology.

“I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. It’s okay— Ah.” Avera yelped as another horse head-butted her, knocking her down. She hit the floor and grunted as the impact tore the gash in her palm wider.

“Avera, left!” Gustav yelled and she didn’t question. Avera rolled.

Just in time.

A wolf landed where she’d been, muzzle pulled into a snarl. Its cloudy eyes and visible canines left no doubt it would harm her, yet she doubted she could get close enough to touch itwithout getting her hand eaten. With not even seconds to spare, she did the only thing she could think of. Whipped her wounded hand in an arc, sending droplets of blood flying.

They hit the wolf—and everything else in the vicinity—leading to a stunned moment as the animals bespeckled in blood woke. Those that shook off the compulsion fled, a sudden exodus from the cavern. The wolf darted through Luna’s legs, heading for the exit. Her mare shivered but didn’t bolt in terror as the predator ignored her in favor of escape.

Avera stood and clenched her fist to pool some blood before flinging it again at the next wave. Not as efficient as Opal’s spell, but it worked. The animals touched by her Voxspira essence reverted to their normal selves, and instinct made them flee. The few she couldn’t get to in time were dispatched by Gustav.

“Thank you.”

Her rook grimaced as he eyed his sword and the mess at his feet. “Never thought I’d be whacking rodents with my beauty.”

Soon, only they, Luna, and the pair of horses Josslyn managed to hold on to remained. Unsaddled, but at least they wouldn’t have to walk.