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“No,” I said, pushing to my feet. “It’s possibly worse.”

“What could be worse than a mage vampire?”

“A monster that punches holes through flesh and blood with the ease of a knife through butter.” My voice was grim. “And it’s heading straight for Belle, Monty, and the others.”

“And Aiden?” Katie asked quickly.

“No.” I swept up my boots and backpack. “He’s still dealing with the fire up past the Eureka Reef.”

“That’s under control now, is it not?”

“Not the last time I heard.”

“Odd,” she said. “Because the heat radiating from it suggests it has been confined.”

“Maybe it is then, and they’re just monitoring it in case the wind changes.” I strode out of the clearing and hurried down the path. It was lit by multiple streams of luminous threads—not just those in the air, but also those under the ground. They pulsed under every step, sending warmth echoing through the souls of my feet.

Katie appeared beside me, her pace matching mine, though her feet never truly touched the ground. “Why on earth would Maelle send her monster to attack Belle and Monty? She still needs your help, doesn’t she?”

“She’s probably sending her monster to attack Marie’s messenger, but I fear everyone in the area may become collateral damage in the ensuing battle.”

“Maelle’s mind might not be what it once was, but surely even she can’t be that far gone.”

“She came very close to attacking me at the house,” I replied. “Without Roger, she seems to be reverting to baser instincts. Even if her control over her monster remains absolute, I can’t help but worry that her need to kill Marie’s people will flood over to any others there once the bloodshed starts.”

“Then I’ll go protect them.”

I stopped abruptly and glanced at her. “You can do that?”

Her laugh ran across the dying light of the day. “Were we not discussing our merger gifting me the ability to protect the reservation only a few moments ago?”

“Yes, but—” I half shrugged. “I guess I hadn’t thought the implications of it through enough.”

“Obviously not.” She hesitated. “You should perhaps warn Belle I’m on the way. They’ll no doubt sense the wild magic, and she will definitely see me, given her strength as a spirit walker, but best to be safe.”

“I will. Thanks Katie.”

As she nodded and left, I couldn’t help but turn and stare back at the clearing. Gabe remained at the very edge of the trees, his hands in his pockets staring down at me. Katie might be free, but his ghost remained bound to the clearing where death had claimed him.

I lifted a hand to acknowledge him, then ran on down the bright path and reached out to Belle.There’s a big problem headed your way, I’m afraid.

I wouldn’t call one lone vamp in a van a big problem,she replied.Unless, of course, you’re sensing something I’m not.

Got it in one—Maelle has sent her punch monster out to take care of that one lone vamp.

She told you this?

No, the wild magic did.

Well, if that’s the fucking case, we need to retreat?—

Maybe not. How far away is the vamp? Is he close enough to snare telepathically?

There was a brief pause.A few more minutes. How far away is Maelle’s monster?

Hang on, I’ll check.I stopped and pressed my fingers into the ground again; the network of rivers jumped back into focus, and I swept my gaze across it until I felt the dark footprints. My stomach dropped.I’m guessing he’s about three minutes away at the speed he’s moving.

Three minutes will make it tight. She paused.What did you mean by “maybe not”?