When we meet up with Remy beneath the deep awning of a livery, I immediately recognize the horse.
“Sabil!” I say without thinking.
Rook clamps his hand over my mouth.
My heart leaps again.
There is a flash of irritation furrowed in the space between his dark brows and then he’s leaning into me, his mouth at the curve of my ear, his breath warm. But even so, I shiver beneath his touch. “We must be silent, Kansas. Promise me you will.”
When he pulls back, his bright green eyes search mine for confirmation.
Goosebumps pop on my arms. I nod my head.
Good,he mouths.
Sabil nickers. I grab Toto and, with Rook’s help, climb into the saddle. Once I’m seated, he deftly seats himself behind me.
“I can get you to safety,” Remy whispers. “Follow me.” And their lithe black mare takes off into the night.
We ride away from the town square. The farther we ride, the thicker the shadows become. There are no more flying monsters in the sky.
“Where are you taking us?” Rook asks as we trot side by side down a wide cobblestone road. The great wall surrounding Glimming Hollow looms on the horizon.
“There’s a hidden entrance in and out of the Hollow,” Remy answers. “Only the council knows about it.”
“And you?” I ask.
Remy nods. “My family has been on the council for decades. They helped design the entrance.” Remy nods to the west where a squat house sits butted up against the wall. “The house hides it.”
With a click of their tongue, Remy’s horse trots forward.
When we come upon the house, the windows are dark, the plants in the stone pots on the front stoop brittle and brown. Forgotten and abandoned. Or maybe that’s exactly how they mean it to look.
Remy slides off their horse and ties off the reins to the white railing.
Rook gets off Sabil first, then takes Toto from me.
I swing my leg over, trying to tame the dress as I do so it doesn’t get tangled around my ankles when I hop to the ground.
“Do we have time for me to change?” I ask and hold up the checkered dress that’s been balled in my arms. I don’t think I can handle one more minute in this ball gown while running from the Tinman and his sky-bound monsters.
“If you’re quick,” Rook answers.
“Here.” Remy digs in their pants pocket and produces a small glass vial with just a few drops of green liquid inside. “Put this on your pulse points while changing. It’ll help mask your scent from the winged monkeys long enough for you to get away.”
“I’m sorry… did you saywinged monkeys?”
“How long will it last?” Rook asks.
“A few hours, if that. It might give you a big enough lead.”
“Is it emerald flash?” Rook asks.
Remy nods. “Very good. It should be enough for the both of you.”
“Hold on…winged monkeys?!”
Remy finally looks at me. “The monkeys are usually only found deep in the mountains of the West, and most days, they will pose no threat to you if you leave them be. But the Witch of the West has a magical hold over them. She has for years. If she’s sent them, they have a mission, and they will do whatever they must to fulfill that mission. And they are vicious, violent creatures when forced to act.”
