Goblin moss.
I wondered if it was naturally occurring or if the moss affinities had put it there. Cautiously, I climbed down from the tree and approached the moss, still not seeing anyone. The eerily glowing vibrant moss was leading into a small cave I hadn’t noticed before. It was feeling more and more like a trap, so I backed off and prodded the goblin moss with my magic.
A Floracantus was working on it, causing it to glow extra brightly. The magic had been applied recently, which meant the mosses were hoping to lure people into the cave.Then what?I wasn’t going to fall for it and find out. Instead, I changed direction and circled to the back of the small cave, examining the moss’s cells as I went to see where the interference ended.
Just as I was about to give up and go after another affinity, I looked up and saw the rose attached to the tree above me, its outline almost invisible through the moss that encased it against the tree branch. “Clever,” I said. They must have found a way to mold down the encasing to the shape of a rose.
Using my moss powers, I stretched out a hand and directed the moss to pull back. The fluffy green material slid to the left and right, and the rose fell into my hands.
Clapping began behind me, and I spun around to see Meadow—or at least, Meadow’s face. The moss that had been covering her began to peel back until she came into clearer view. “Nicely done. I was kind of hoping you’d fall for my cave trap, but I guess I’m glad you didn’t.”
I shook my head, smiling. “And what would have happened to me if I had gone into the cave?”
“Let’s just say moss can function like quicksand if you know how to work it right.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Remind me to never cross you.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” she said. “Now hurry up and claim that rose so I can go join the rest of the mosses.”
“Where are they?” I asked before saying, “Petale expandere,” and claiming the mosses’ rose.
“They’re scoping out the grasses’ hiding space. I’m sure Feathergrass is hoping the grasses will win, so I’ll be happy to take them down.”
“Perfect. Hollis wanted you to get one of the other groups, but it sounds like you’re way ahead of him.”
“You got ferns already? Who did they go after?”
“The herbs.”
“That leaves trees, aquatics, harvesters, and florals. Where are you headed next?”
“I saw the aquatics in a pretty intense battle with the harvesters. I’m going to avoid those two and see if one of them takes the other’s rose.” I contemplated my next steps.
“Don’t act like you’re deciding. Say hi to Rhodes for me.” And just like that, moss crept up Meadow’s arms, camouflaging her to the forest once again.
“Good luck!” I called then climbed into the nearest tree.
Callan, here I come.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Ihurried directly from where I had retrieved the moss’s rose to the tree houses, a slight smile touching my lips. The trees’ rose location hadn’t been sent to me through the tree network. Apparently, they were protecting their own. But it was as good a place to start looking as any.
I was about one hundred feet from Callan’s and my tree house when a cool breeze touched the back of my neck. I froze and spun around. Callan was a few feet behind me, leaning against the tree as if he were out for a casual stroll.
“Out here alone? Where are the rest of the trees?” I called.
“They’re on the offensive. They trusted me to handle defending ours.”
“And will you?” I asked with a slight smile touching my lips. “Defend it?”
“We’re going to have to put on a little show so any observers think I gave you a run for your money. I do have a reputation toprotect, you know.” His voice was so quiet, the breeze still caressing the back of my neck, and I shivered.
“Is that so?” I asked, cocking my head. I doubted Feathergrass had eyes on either of us up in the trees, but the idea of a little sparring with Callan was too enticing to turn down. “What are you going to do to me, Callan Rhodes?” I teased until a gust of wind swept me off my feet and positioned me in a tree twenty feet away.
I could see Callan’s smirk from across the thicket. “Maybe that?”
With my own wind manipulating powers, I ferried myself down. Waving my hands, I pushed Callan flat against a nearby tree, wrapping tendrils of air around him like he had when he was hiding me from his brother in the tree conservatory. “Now, where is the rose hiding?” I asked.
