Page 75 of Blood of the Stars

“Of course; it’s a winex.” Jasperus’ voice came out strained.

Aeliana had heard of the creatures that waxed and waned with the moon, but she’d thought they were fables.

It sat back on its haunches and howled, making the others pause in indecision. Half of them raced off into the night, but those who still fought were left at a distinct disadvantage. In unison, they all threw their heads back, letting a strange tinkling sound escape their lips. It almost looked like they were laughing. It left Aeliana and the others stunned, and through a sluggish haze Aeliana watched her comrades all hesitate. The winex each got in a swipe; one even snatched a dagger from Lukai’s hand.

Her friends recovered and resumed their attack with renewed purpose. Sylmar’s staff was once again molten, cutting through two of the winex like they were wax being melted. For being a healer, Lukai had no qualms about using his magic to drain the winex of health.

Aeliana stepped back, shocked at the sudden turn. It was as if they’d been holding back their magic, hiding it, and the moment they were found out, they let it loose. Kendalyhn’s eyes grew haunted as she flung her dagger, like she was seeing a different dimension. Was that how Aeliana looked when she used her magic to aim?

Even Cyrus managed to draw blood, holding his own against the winex attacking him.

Despite its apparent howl for retreat, the winex before them leaned in, sniffing at Jasperus. “You smell wrong.”

It sat back again, wiping rainwater from its eyes and bouncing on its hind legs like it itched to launch at them. Within moments, it was the last creature left alive in the clearing as it debated whether or not to attack. Soon it was whining, like its indecision was physically painful.

Sylmar approached from behind, then held his staff near the winex’s head, the heat making the creature cry out in fear. Lukai took a rope, wrapping it around the winex’s wrists. Finally, Jasperus dropped his grip on Aeliana, bending at the waist with a gasp.

The winex went wild, snarling and snapping in Jasperus’ direction, but the rope held firm and the proximity of Sylmar’s staff eventually left the winex still, heaving and glaring in Aeliana and Jasperus’ direction.

Even Cyrus gawked at the two of them.

“What just happened?” Aeliana asked.

“You were a—you were winex,” Cyrus said.

“Jasperus adjusted your appearance,” Sylmar corrected. “He created the illusion that you were both winex, which made this one hesitate.”

“Female,” the winex added, then it clamped its mouth shut in regret.

Sylmar nodded. “Yes, he made you appear like female winex, which a male winex would never attack.”

“Only we didn’t smell right,” Aeliana muttered, the creature’s accusation coming back to her. She glanced at Jasperus. “Thank you.”

He nodded, still breathing too hard to speak.

The creature’s head fell back, his eyes squinting as his jaw widened, but before he could let loose that strange paralyzing laugh, Sylmar let his staff fall against the creature's skin. The winex howled.

“Who sent you?” Sylmar asked.

The winex frowned. “We don’t work for people.” He spat at Sylmar’s feet, but Aeliana detected fear. They’d never get answers by intimidating him.

She eased closer. “What’s your name?”

Sylmar shot her a scathing look.

The creature bared his teeth in her direction. “Felk.”

Sylmar stepped between them. “If you weren’t sent, why did you attack?”

Felk shook his head, then thought better of it as Sylmar drew the staff closer. “We scavenge. Two nights we took food. Tonight you were left. Ten of us, six of you.” He glared at Sylmar. “But you have magic.”

Kendalyhn stepped forward, grimacing as she placed a palm on the creature’s wet silver skin. He howled his frustration, but Sylmar’s staff and Lukai’s rope kept him still.

“He’s lying about the food. They’ve taken some the past five nights. But the rest of what he said is true.” Kendalyhn removed her hand, then rubbed her palm against her thigh with a shudder.

“Yes. We have magic.” Sylmar leaned in, bringing his staff to touch Felk’s cheek. The winex screamed in agony but didn’t move. When Sylmar pulled his staff back, a small black mark marred the silver skin of the winex’s cheek, like a black tear permanently bleeding from his eye. “Make sure your friends know we have magic. Do not follow us again.”

The winex blinked mournfully. When Lukai removed the rope holding him, Felk tore out of the clearing in a blur of silver flesh.

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