I dodged one creature’s powerful hindquarters as they popped up at me, and slammed my dagger into its underbelly. The bandersnatch fell with a horrible yowl as the rest of the herd erupted into chaos.
Trying not to think or feel, I made my way through the creatures, my dagger moving efficiently with every slash and stab. I experimented with aether magic too, and it came easier than ever before.
By my third attempt at using it, I recognized the aether as the most effective weapon we had, and much more humane than my blade. It smothered the bandersnatch’s snouts, forcing the beasts to collapse within seconds. After one collapsed, I’d make a cut in their leg so that the queen would be unable to use the beast to do her bidding anytime soon.
I switched to striking exclusively with aether first, moving through the herd and downing the beasts that others were aiming to kill. I was at the fountain when someone cried out for help.
Pivoting, I found March Hare pinned up against the wall, slashing his blade at a bandersnatch’s snout.
I couldn’t help but admire the beast. It didn’t give a damn about the blade, only about defending its herd. But when it slammed its body into the wall, nearly crushing March, I acted, smothering the beast’s nostrils until it passed out and then slashing its leg to render the creature immobile.
I’d just rushed over to help March back on his feet when the oddest sensation came over me. I gasped and spun on the spot.
No onlookers hung around; they’d all run off to alert the authorities, or remain safe from the fighting animals. Four rebels stood on the sidelines, injured or on the lookout for the authorities.
None of them watched me, but I swore someone somewhere was. Their eyes burned through me—assessing me.
“Alice! We need to finish this!” Hatter’s scream rang in my ear, yanking me back into the moment.
Only five creatures were left, the largest and most ferocious, and they were fighting tooth and nail against the remaining rebels.
I waved someone over to take March, and leapt back into the fray.
Moving on autopilot, I used aether to smother the beasts’ noses and send them into slumber. Within minutes, all five were on the ground, passed out.
I took a step back, taking in the destruction. At least a dozen animals were dead, and the rebels who were still able to move were sorting through the rest, injuring them just enough so they wouldn’t be able to patrol the streets. One such creature released a moan when a rebel cut through the muscle of its hind quarter.
I winced, and the guilt that the battle had pushed back rushed forth, stronger than before.
Tears filled my eyes. “I can’t stand this. It’s so wrong.”
“I know,” Hatter said, his voice thick with emotion as he took in the scene. “I know, but—”
The sound of an alarm, much more high-pitched than alarms of the human world, pierced the air, and the rebels stiffened.
“We have to get out of here.” Hatter grabbed my arm, and pulled me behind him. “Disband! Back to headquarters!”
We made it only two streets when I heard screams flying from behind us. Shouts of men, and at least two cries for help.
I pulled my arm out of Hatter’s grip. “Some of our people are in trouble!”
“Don’t turn back!” He gripped my arm again and pulled me forward.
“You can’t leave them!”
Henri whirled me around to face him. “We have to! They knew the risk.You’rethe most valuable person in this force, and you can’t be seen until the queen is out in the open.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Hatter didn’t let me get a word in. “If I have to drag you back to headquarters kicking and screaming, I will,” he growled. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Alice. Because if you fall, all of Wonderland falls with you.”
I sucked in a shuddering breath. He was right. Aside from my aunt, I was the only fae in Wonderland who had aether magic. The only one with the power to stand up to her.
“Fine.” I gestured back the way we’d come. “But I expect you to send help. You can’t leave them—”
“I would never leave them high and dry.” His eyes burned through me.“Once we regroup, we’ll figure out who’s missing. The soldiers will keep them in jail until the queen delivers a mandate. That will likely be after she checks on her precious herd. Long before that happens, a rebel faction will extract them. But for now, we must leave.”
If this was anyone else, I wouldn’t have believed them, but I trusted Henri. These people were his family. He’d keep his word.
So once again, I ignored my gut, and together, we sprinted back toward headquarters.
