He shook his head. “We can’t leave yet. They’ll only come after you and your sisters again. We have to end it.”
“But you can hardly breathe,” I argued.
“We’ll be fine, just go.”
“You’re not fine. How can you hope to defeat them in this state?” I demanded.
He started to answer but had to stop for a coughing fit. This was serious. He and Stellon were both growing weaker by the moment.
Mind to mind, he said,I’m not sure, but we’ll figure it out. Just go. Please.
Turning to Kem, I spoke silently.Please take my sister to safety.
What about you?she asked.
I’m going to stay and help Pharis and Stellon. They need me.
There was no way I could leave them here alone, not with the way the airborne Fireweed particles were affecting them. And the witches were strong together—I could feel their power even from here.
Prince Pharis will be angry,she warned.
I know. I don’t care,I told her.Just go.
She put a hand on Turi’s shoulder, and the two of them disappeared.
Pharis wore a look of shock at seeing me still there.
What are you doing? Why are you still here?
You need me,I said.I can help. I can detect their fears, and you could project a vision to match. Maybe that will break their connection and stop the spell.
Without waiting for permission, I knelt beside Stellon. “Do you think you have enough strength left to use your glamour?”
He lifted his head and met my eyes. “Yes. I’m weakened, but I can still help.”
“Okay, good. I’m going to focus my glamour on one of the Earthwives and try to read her fears so Pharis can exploit it and break the circle.”
He blinked. “Your glamour?”
“Yes. I’ve been training, but at this distance, it’ll need to be augmented. You ready?”
He nodded, and we joined hands. Then I projected my fear-sensing glamour toward the group of Earthwives, searching for one with a phobia that could be leveraged to our advantage.
Touching briefly on each of their minds, I realized they were all linked, almost as if they were the same person.
An incredibly powerful person.
It was a good thing I had Stellon’s assistance, because connected as they were, the hive mind was almost impervious to my glamour.
Almost.
I was able to get inside just enough to detect a single fear, and thankfully, it was a big one.
Releasing Stellon’s hand, I stood to face Pharis.
“Got something?” he asked.
My head bobbed excitedly. “Yes. Rats. One of them is deathly afraid of rats. They’re all connected, so if you project a frightening vision of rats at one, they should all be affected.”
