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This time, I’m not so worried that he won’t come back. I turn to the others. “Okay. We need firewood. Go find some. Zayne, take Josh with you. Winter, you stay with me. You need rest. And have another biscuit. Just make sure there are some left for me, because I amnoteating any meat.”

I search for a good place to build the fire.

There’s a sandy bank beneath the lee of the bridge—not too far from the water but protected by the mountain on one side and the bridge on the other. That’s the spot.

Stella is still standing by the bridge, and I go up and stroke her silky nose. Then I lead her off the road. I take off her saddle and bridle and point toward the river. “Have a drink and then find something to eat.”

She walks over and drinks, then moves away a little and rolls in the sand. Afterward, she finds some grass and lowers her head to graze.

At leastshe’ssorted.

I grab a bottle of water from the backpack and swallow down half of it. Then I refill the bottle in the fast-flowing river. At least there’s no shortage of water.

By the time I turn back, Zayne and Josh are returning, their arms loaded with branches and sticks. Zayne drops his load beside me, and I stare at it uncertainly. On our journey here, Khaosti always made the campfire. Or later on, Thanouq. Before Valandria, I’d never been camping. Pete and Lissa were not the type to take vacations of any sort. Which means I have no clue.

“I don’t suppose we packed any matches or a cigarette lighter?” I ask Zayne.

He shrugs. “No. Never occurred to me.”

“Or me.”

I pick up some sticks and arrange them into a semblance of a campfire. Then I stare at them, willing them to burst into flames. Nothing happens. What I need right now—in the absence of a lighter—is magic. I search my mind—

And there it is. I grin. Being a freaking witch is so damn cool. Icando this. I crouch beside the fire and whisper a spell.

“With breath of heat and touch of spark, blaze to life and light the dark.”

Again, nothing happens.

Zayne sniggers. I scowl. Then I think about the spell, and I say it again. This time I take note of the words, lean closer, blow onthe wood, and then reach out with a finger to touch the nearest twig. Sparks immediately ignite in the pile of dry firewood.

Behind me, Zayne whistles. “Impressive,” he says.

Yeah, he should be impressed. I rock.

The fire flares brighter, catching quickly. Within minutes, there’s a cheerful blaze, giving off warmth and light. Unfortunately, it continues to grow, until long red flames reach to the sky, blue sparks spitting out. Zayne and Josh back away, fast.

“Agh!” I’m going to burn down the rest of Valandria. I scramble in my brain for another spell and shout,“Flames so wild, now be still, Bend to me and heed my will!”

The fire dies down, and I blow out my breath. Zayne wipes a hand across his sweaty forehead. “Well, that was close,” he mutters. “I thought we were all fried for sure.”

“I had it under control,” I growl.

“Of course you did, Lily.”

“Don’t call me that.” Then I sniff disdainfully. I am a powerful witch. I do not need to heed the words of lesser beings.

Zayne crouches beside the fire, holding his hands up to the warmth, and Josh drops to his knees beside him, copying his big brother. He looks at me, eyes wide with admiration.

I’m thebestbig sister ever.

“I’m hungry,” he says.

Okay. I don’t have an answer for that one yet. “Just wait a little while. I’m sure Fury will be back with dinner.”

Zayne snorts. “I could have done that.”

“Maybe. But Josh needs you right now.”