Because the leader was so large, he toppled three of his men as he crashed down. However, two remained on their feet, and kept their wits, pulling swords from behind their backs, and pointing them at me. Fire erupted in their opposite hands.
My heart leapt into my throat. I didn’t know these opponents. They could be strong with every element as well as steel. It would be six against one, and not knowing their strengths and weaknesses meant I heldnoadvantage.
I spun on my heel and ran.
“Get her!” the leader shouted.
I twisted and turned through the streets, not bothering to remain on trajectory for the castle. Their footsteps pounded against the cobblestone behind me, closing in.
I divided my focus, half on the sounds of the fae chasing me, and half on my surroundings. I needed to find something that would give me a leg up against my opponents. It was dark and difficult to tell exactly what was around me, but up ahead, there appeared to be a well-lit intersection with bags of flour or rice lining the sides.
I could work with that.
My feet slapped against the cobblestone as I pushed my speed to breaking point, desperate for any extra inch I could put between me and the gang. The moment I crossed into the intersection, I sliced open a bag, and called on the wind.
A puff of white filled the air, and I thanked my lucky stars.
Flour.
I emptied the bags of white stuff and sent it soaring in a tornado through the intersection as the men reached it. One yelled, and the blade I wielded found his throat. As the others coughed and sputtered, I silenced them too. I did this six times total, until only the sound of my beating heart and the rushing wind filled my ears.
I called off the tornado, checked that the men on the ground were dead, and sprinted away. I put ten blocks between me and the now dead gang before ducking into an alley and crouching behind a barrel that smelled of fruity wine.
My breath was heavy and my heartbeat erratic as I wiped a stream of sweat off my forehead.
“That was unexpected,” I muttered as I ripped open the cloak for some air.
“Not to me,” a masculine voice rang out.
I shot up out of my crouch and spun to take in the alley.No one was there. Or at least, no one that I could see.I squinted at the ground, but through the darkness couldn’t spot a pixie or any other tiny fae race either.
“Up here,” the voice said again, and my gaze shot up.
I scowled.
Henri was sitting atop the building opposite me, his gossamer wings spread and shimmering in the moonlight.
“So you lost them, but what are you going to do now?” Hatter asked. “Try to take on the Red Queen all by yourself?”
My scowl deepened, and I threw a dismissive wave. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
“Well, I know that you snuck out of my house with skill. If I hadn’t put a ward on the window to protect you, I’d never have realized that you were gone. And I did just watch you massacre six elves, so it seems that I know a little,” Hatter replied as he shoved off of the building and fluttered to the ground. “You know, Alice, we have the same goal.”
I looked at the ground.
“Our methods might be different,” he continued, “but we both want vengeance on the Red Queen. Why are you so intent on working alone?”
“It’s not how I was raised to do things. It’s easier that way.”
“You mean, alone you’re not at risk of getting hurt?”
I cringed, because Hatter had hit the nail on the head.
Henri sighed. “We can go to the castle. I’ll show you why I think it’s better that we work to draw the Queen out, but if you think I’m wrong, we’ll attack tonight.”
I arched an eyebrow.
“Fine,youcan attack tonight. You can do it your way, and I won’t interfere.” He held out his hand. “You’re going to have to hold on tight.”
