“There's no point in running.” His brow furrowed as his attention swung to Crispin. “Or fighting.”
Crispin flanked to the right, and I stepped forward.
“If you think I'm going with you, you're sorely mistaken. I am no longer yours to have.”
Kane’s mouth perked up at the corners. “Now, now, let's not be difficult. We wouldn't want any more bloodshed.”
Kane may have been immortal, but I had my own power.
I kicked off my boots, letting myself ground into the earth. Lifting my hands, I called to every root under the grass. The valley rumbled, and I used all my power to command the nearby plants and trees to beckon to my call. Thick roots and tree limbs burst through the dirt, spraying brown flecks everywhere.
The Deathless One’s eyes widened as nature enveloped him, slithering around his body like a snake, wrapping around his throat, his arms, his legs…
. . . until the only visible feature were those strange, chromatic amber eyes.
Then I yanked him down into the earth, pulling him deeper until I sensed the temperature change. I imagined all those branches knotting and connecting, strengthening until the wooden cage tightened enough to hold the fae king.
“Run!” Crispin yelled, grabbing my arm.
We bolted behind the cottage toward the side of the mountain where a branch ladder rested against the rock and we jumped on the first rung.
“Bring us up,” Crispin said as he enclosed one arm around my waist, holding me tight against him.
The warmth from his blood pooled on my dress, reminding me we were far from safety.
Using my powers, I commanded the ladder to extend andscale the mountain. The bottom of the wooden steps grew taller, pushing us higher.
“The animals…” With one hand on the ladder, I reached out with my other and used my power to unhook the latch, keeping the rest of our animals gated.
“They’ll be okay,” Crispin said, his breath hitching as he spoke. “There’s fresh water and plenty of food in the valley for them.”
But there were also darkthings.
There was no other option right now, though. As I held my breath and tried to swallow down my fear for my furry friends, Boots pounded the ground with his front feet, crying.
Oh, Boots. I’m sorry.
I couldn't take him with us, not where we were going.
Tears streamed down my face.
Our home. I was leaving it behind, and I didn’t know for how long.
“We can’t abandon them!” I pleaded to Crispin.
“They’re more likely to die, as are we, if we don’t leave now.”
I knew he was right, just as I always knew there was a chance we would have to run, but I didn’t want it to be true.
“Time to go,” Crispin said, and I pushed our ladder higher and faster, all the way to the top of the first ridge of the mountain.
Moments later, a rumble exploded below us.
“He's already getting out!” I cried, sweat sliding into my gaze as I strained against the magic powering out of me.
“It’s okay.” Crispin pressed his mouth into my hair. “We’re almost there. Keep going. You can do this.”
But it wasn’t okay. This was ourhome.
