Except part of it didn’t. A small part flew toward the caterpillar, and he gulped it down quickly—so quickly that someone could have convinced themselves that it didn’t happen.
But it had. I was sure of it.
“It’s complete,” the caterpillar said, his voice louder, stronger than before. “Your powers of aether are free.”
Yes. My body vibrated on a new frequency, one that the aether was responsible for.
And yet, appreciating it was impossible.
When I’d killed the shadow monster, a white light had bloomed out of it and soared through the woods. A very similar thing to what had just occurred. I hadn’t understood why that would happen before, but now I did.
“You’ve been living off the aether of these woods, haven’t you? Youandthe shadow monster.”
The caterpillar’s beady eyes widened for a moment before he caught himself. “Excuse me?”
“You are . . . were . . . both powerful because you lived off the aether that came from the souls who died here. The souls who created the forest.” I gestured to the white-barked trees. “But you knew it couldn’t last forever. Your supply was finite, especially with someone sharing the old gods’ energy. You needed him killed.”
“I needed him killed because he was a monster threatening my life.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “He wanted your ability to manipulate and siphon aether too. Which makes sense. He was here first.” I shook my head as it all came together. “But you won. You called the aether magic from him as it left his body, like you did with some of my power. Not all of it, just enough that you thought I wouldn’t notice while I was suffering.”
His segmented body stiffened.
“I want it back,” I demanded. “I risked my life for this, and gave you what you wanted. We had a deal, and this wasn’t part of it. So give my magic back to me.”
“That’s impossible,” the caterpillar replied.
I glared at him. He wasn’t fae, so he could lie, but it seemed like he was telling the truth.
“Then you owe me, and I’m not leaving until you pay up.” I crossed my arms over my chest.“After all, you just took myaether magic. Surely you can conjure up something amazing with it?”
Behind me, I could feel my friends vibrating with anxiety and fear, but I didn’t dare break the caterpillar’s stare. We were in a standoff for power.
“Fine,” the caterpillar said after a few long moments. He bent over and pulled a chunk out of one side of his mushroom, and then an equal-sized chunk from the other side. “I have a feeling you might be needing to sneak around in the future. Of course, when you learn to fully control your aether magic and the surrounding aether, you might be able to manipulate your size yourself. However, I doubt that will be any time soon.”
He extended the mushroom chunk in his right hand. “This bit will make you bigger. And this,” he waved the left hand’s chunk, “will make you smaller. Everything you can carry on your person will be affected—including weapons.” He arched a knowing eyebrow. “Only a nibble is necessary.”
Careful to keep them separate, I took the hunks of mushroom from him, and after committing to memory which did what, placed them in the pockets of my cloak.
“Thank y—” Henri started to say, but I held up a hand, cutting him off.
“It’s a good start, but not enough.”
“I beg your pardon?” The caterpillar’s cheeks turned purple with fury. “I’ve given you something of very high value. Not just anyone can enchant food.”
I knew that. Dee and Dum had mentioned the same thing when I asked about the ‘drink me’ liquid and the ‘eat me’ cake. Apparently, they’d had to hire a witch from the human realm to make those, and at great cost to the rebels. And yet, I wasn’t about to agree so easily.
“I am aware. But that’s my magical life force you sucked down. A gift from the old gods. Something that will allow you to keep taking aether from the forest. And while you might love your mushroom bits, Iknowthat my life force is more valuable.” My fingers skimmed the dagger at my side. “If you don’t agree, we might have to settle this another way.”
The caterpillar’s beady eyes latched onto the dagger, and he gulped. “Fine. What do you want?”
“A trip back to Heartstown.” I pointed to Henri. “His house, if you can swing it.”
“B—but that’s—” the caterpillar stammered.
“Still not as valuable as my life force, I know. I’m cutting you quite the deal.” I gripped the dagger, waiting.
The creature scowled. “As long as you agree to never return, I’ll do anything to get you out of here.”
