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I suppose wecouldshift. It would be a lot quicker flying—but that’s really only me and Zayne. Khaosti would have to go by land. And then there’s Stella to think about. And Josh. And Winter.

So maybe we’d better all stay on the ground.

We’ll worry about it tomorrow.

“Come on, let’s go,” I say, and I trudge out of the stable.

I head out of the village the opposite way we came in, and I keep moving. Everyone walks behind me in silence. The sun has almost set now, and it’s growing dark. I finally come to a halt by the bridge, which used to mark the eastern end of the warded area. The wards are long gone, but this is as good a place as any to spend the night.

I cast one last look back toward the village. Of course there’s nothing to see. It’s already out of sight.

I sigh. The only place I ever called home.

Gone forever.

Chapter 16

Where I’m Super Impressive… Sort of…

The sun has completely set now, with just the slightest tinge of purple on the horizon. The moon has not yet risen. It’sfreakingdark. Not to mention cold.

With a last sigh, I turn away from the village I can no longer see and study my surroundings. The bridge sits at the base of the mountain range that leads out of this place. The mountains form a natural barrier and once protected Hecate’s village. Not anymore. They loom ominously over us, and a shiver runs through me.

Tomorrow, we’ll cross those mountains, and then we’ll have the open plains between us and Zandar Aurion.

I try to work out how long it took us to get here last time. But we had a few detours on the way, and I was half-comatose for a lot of the time. Having your side ripped out by the shadowguard will do that to you.

Still, I think we should be there in maybe four days. Which obviously leads me to the question—how do we survive that long?

Especially without any food and the shadowguard probably hunting us. I don’t know how, but they have always been able to track me down. It’s how Khaosti found me when I failed to materialize after he received his cryptic message from his brother:I’m sending you a girl for safekeeping. She must find Lucifer’s Mirror. Take her to the Crone—Thanouq will help you find her. He’s in Zander Aurion. Tell no one.

Obviously, I hadn’t shown up because I’d lost my memory when Khendril sent me to Khaosti. The spell my former guardian had used had gone disastrously wrong and I’d been abandoned in a strange place, without a clue as to who the hell I was. Anyway, though he couldn’t find me, Khaosti had discovered that I was being hunted by the shadowguard. And so he had hunted them in turn, and they had eventually led him to me.

Oh, and let’s not forget that Khaosti had totally failed to follow Khendril’s last order—to tell no one. Because he’d gone and told his freaking dad. I sort of understand why, but that doesn’t stop my anger… I grit my teeth. There will be time for recriminations later. I hope.

Another shiver runs through me, and I wrap my arms around myself, looking at my companions. All eyes are on me, as though they’re expecting me to come up with a brilliant plan. Guess what? That isn’t going to happen.

Because I have no fucking clue what to do.

I feel like I’m being forced onto a track with no free will. It’s a feeling I’ve had a lot in my life. I remember it well from before I lost my memory; that sense of nothing being in my hands.

Iwantto break free from it, but I just don’t know how. The shadowguard’s attack on Hecate’s village has forced my hand. As far as I can see, I have no choice but to go to Zandar Aurion and find her. Even if the journey kills us.

But it’s not going to do that. Positive attitude.

At least my head is clear. That means there are no shadowguard in the immediate vicinity right now. I look around at my companions.

Okay. Time to make some decisions.

They all look cold. Poor little Josh is shivering.

“I think we’re going to have to risk lighting a fire,” I say.

One decision made. What next? I turn my attention to Fury. He’s sitting on his haunches, watching me with those scary crimson eyes.

“Can you get us some food?” I ask. “Some…” I hesitate to say the words but finally manage to force them past my lips without gagging, “…fresh meat.”

I almost see a snigger forming on his face—if wolves can snigger. He never approved of my vegetarianism. Then he gives a nod, whirls around, and disappears into the darkness.