Page 15

“Bandits?” I wondered aloud, glancing up at the overgrown trees to either side of the road.

The men all went on high alert. The woods were silent but for the usual: the whispering of wind through leaves, the chirping of birds and small mammals, and the like.

No heavy footsteps, muted conversation, or rattle of metal weapons being drawn. No other concerning signs.

“I’ll scout ahead,” Daethie offered, taking to the air.

Wings humming, she flitted forward and disappeared around the bend.

The rest of us stood there trying to figure out what this branch was supposed to convey.

It had clearly been put there for a reason—the size was such that it couldn’t have been casually placed, and there were no trees directly overhead.

“We should go around,” I proposed.

“This could be a trap, and someone is hoping we do just that,” Vyrain countered. “Straying from the road is rarely a good idea. We’re still deep in the woods; it would be too easy to get turned around.”

“Well, that’s not a problem.” Lu shrugged. “I’ve got a good sense of direction.”

Vyrain glared. “Maybe they want to split us up and pick us off one by one.”

“So, what do we do?” My question was met with blank stares. I’d need to make the decision, then. Working with so little information, I hesitated to make a call.

A small winged figure reappeared in the distance.

“I don’t see anything,” Daethie called as she approached. “The road gets rough farther on, but other than that, no problems. I didn’t see or hear anything that indicated bandits, either.”

Clutching the straps of my pack tighter, I mulled over our options. Neither was playing it safe. Neither was deliberately putting us in the line of danger. If both options were equal as far as we knew… “Let’s continue on the road,” I decided, “but stay alert, everyone.”

We all gingerly stepped over the branch on the road and kept walking.

As Daethie had said, the road was uneven ahead, but nothing unmanageable.

Dark rust-colored stains dotted the ground, which was churned as though a scuffle had occurred or something had been buried there.

Was that cause for concern? Why would someone bury something on a main road?

Fae didn’t have land mines—at least, not that I knew of.

However, there was no reason to test that theory.

Uncertainty nagged at me.

“Actually, let’s go around.” I turned to the trees.

No one argued. As we headed for the woods, a bout of dizziness made me pause.

What was…? No, not dizziness—the ground was moving, trembling as though it were alive.

At the same time, a deep thrumming started all around, growing in volume. An earthquake?

Alarmed, I froze in place .

The churned dirt underneath us shook and shifted. Before my eyes, hundreds—no, thousands—of shiny black insects the size of my fist began to pour out from the earth, responding to our presence. Without delay, they surged toward us in a wave of aggression.

My mouth opened to warn the others, but the fae were a step ahead of me.

Hohem summoned flames with both hands. Before I could react, Vyrain scooped me off my feet.

Holding me aloft, he darted for the tree line.

Even with his speed, however, our pint-sized attackers gained on us.

I tried to sit up and see what was going on, but his hold was firm.

“You’re overreacting!” I exclaimed, smacking his shoulder. He barely reacted. “Let me down! Good Goddess, they’re just bugs. I can help!”

A lot of bugs. Bugs with several spiked legs, thick black shells, and a thundering charge. Bugs that amplified the adrenaline and terror the closer they got, their mandibles clawing the air in excitement. Fae bugs didn’t eat meat, did they?

“Catch!” Vyrain shouted.

Fear surged through me. “Don’t you d?—”

Vyrain tossed me like a sack of potatoes.

My body went weightless, and for one heart-stuttering moment, I was scrabbling for purchase in the wind.

My fingers hit matter as a new set of arms closed around me.

I opened my mouth, but I didn’t have to say anything.

Luthri released me quickly—almost too quickly—depositing me onto my feet as though the contact singed him.

“Sorry!” he exclaimed, eyes wide.

No time to address it—the bugs were upon us.

Yrra cried out. Hohem hastened to his side, scorching the ground at their feet and sending bugs scurrying for cover.

The two of them stomped on whatever ones remained within reach.

I scrambled backward to put space between me and the bugs, all the while trying to clear my mind enough to use my magic.

Rousing the beast within, I sent massive bursts of energy from my core outward to thicken my skin. I gritted my teeth and pushed faster, harder, shortening my hair and willing my hands and feet to become sharp hooves. It was over in a flash, but the seconds dragged.

The bugs reached me as I fell onto all fours.

My heart pounded in my ears. Even through my transformed hide, I could feel their little legs on me.

Their mouths bit and pinched, sending burning darts of pain into my bloodstream.

Are they venomous? I made it off the path and into the woods, beetles falling from my body in droves.

The others followed close behind, throwing fire and blasts of air as they went.

Daethie stayed in the air, wringing her hands; she could do nothing.

The few bugs that stubbornly held on reached my stomach.

I threw myself to the ground and rolled in hopes of shaking them off before they found softer flesh to ravage.

The impact knocked the air from my lungs with a grunt of pain.

Twigs snapped under my body, pieces digging into my torso.

When I came to a stop, I changed back into myself and dragged my hands down my body, shaking out my clothing to dislodge any stragglers.

No more squirming legs. No more stinging bites.

Gone, all gone. Thank the Goddess. I lay in place, staring at the canopy above me and fighting to catch my breath. My skin still crawled and burned in places. How much of that was a memory, and how much was actual damage? Did we need to go back and find a mender?

Several people started talking at once.

“—all right?” someone asked.

“—there for a reason after all,” Luthri wheezed.

“—didn’t see anything—” Daethie wailed.

I half listened, closing my eyes to savor the relief.

“Mar? You okay?”

I opened my eyes to Lu leaning over me, concern etched on his features. Behind him, Vyrain stomped toward us. He pushed Luthri, sending the winged fae stumbling back.

“Next time I throw somebody at you, at least consider getting them to safety,” Vyrain snarled. “For all we knew, those things could have been deadly.”

I’d never seen him so irate.

Luthri thrust his chin upward in defiance. “It wasn’t your place. She didn’t want?—”

“For Valuen’s sake,” Hohem cut in, stepping between the two of them before I could get to my feet. “It’s over, yeah? We’re fine. Everybody fine?”

Most of us nodded. We were standing, at least. Daethie was untouched, if distraught. Yrra appeared to have gotten the brunt of it. His pants were in tatters from the knees down, the skin underneath raw and red in numerous places. His legs were also beginning to swell.

“Could have been worse.” The quip came out thready in the remains of my panic. I took the opportunity to look Luthri over, since he was closest to me. He didn’t appear injured. Wiggling a hand at him, I asked, “You? All the important bits still attached?”

Lu’s lips curved in an impish smile. “Present and accounted for. Of course, I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to take stock. Shall I take my clothes off so that you can be thorough?”

Vyrain made a sound between frustration and disgust and turned away.

“Hey, hold on.” I snagged his sleeve to stop him. “Are you all right? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the thought, but I can take care of myself. You shouldn’t put yourself in danger for me. Just… Be smart about your priorities.”

I itched to tell him point-blank that he had overstepped in trying to get me to safety while the others fought, but that would have been like kicking a puppy.

Vyrain studied my expression before giving me a brief nod.

I let go of his shirt. We could have the discussion about when to be chivalrous and when to let everyone look out for themselves later.

“We’re heroes, remember?” Hohem gave me a wry smile. “‘Eaten by a thousand bugs on the second day of their journey’ doesn’t exactly make for an inspiring ballad. ”

“Speaking of which.” I examined a bug bite on my forearm. “Anyone know what those were? I’ve never heard of carnivorous bugs that nest in the ground. Goddess, they do not pull punches. I don’t know if we need to find a mender?”

“Water,” Yrra whispered. “Some water would be good.”

Multiple people went for their canteens, myself included. Yrra shook his head, raising a hand to point. My eyes followed, but there were only more trees in that direction.

“There’s a large river on the way,” he said. “Can we… afford a short respite?”

“We’ll make it happen. No big deal.” Seeing a mender would drain us dry of the little money we had, whereas sitting in a river for a few hours was free.

And what was another day out here on top of two months, especially where Yrra’s well-being was concerned?

Plus, we could get a bath in while we were there. “Lead the way, I guess.”

Yrra nodded once. Wincing, he started off in the direction he had indicated. Daethie flitted over to him and landed on his shoulder. The rest of us followed. I elbowed Vyrain as I passed him, and the wounded look he wore gave way to curiosity.

In a teasing tone, I told him, “Maybe Yrra will let you carry him if you ask nicely.”

He snorted. “All good. The urge has been satisfied.”

We shared a small smile.