Page 63 of Sharpen Your Claws

“How did you know that would work?” His body ached, but he wanted to get away, far from The Lost Woods and The One Who Waits. He thought he had been prepared for Faerie. He was entirely wrong.

Sitting up, he faced the edge of the forest where the trees spread far apart, wide enough for any to foolishly step through, unaware of what fate awaited them. Even he, who had seen the monsters within, dared to think how beautiful it was, how it would be so nice to take a walk beneath its shade. The forest had an air about it that made one’s senses slacken.

“I didn’t.” Nicholas cracked his neck. “I hoped it would work and we are lucky it did. We’ve made history, in fact.”

“I don’t care about that. I care about never setting foot in there again.” And making sure Henry would never end in there. He tugged Nicholas onto his feet so they could run or rather jog.

Neither had caught up to the present, their bodies sluggish. The more distance he put between himself and The Lost Woods, the better he felt.

“Are you upset?” asked Nicholas. “About the deal I struck.”

“No. We wouldn’t have made it out alive and, if we fail, we’ll all be dead, anyway. You did great, Nicholas.” Although he wasn’t certain which death would be worse.

Nicholas kissed his cheek. His face warmed. He slowed to a stop, feeling somehow childish and excited to say, “You missed.”

“Did I?” Nicholas had a beautiful laugh that he wanted to hear for the rest of their lives. “Let me fix my mistake.” Nicholas kissed him slowly, leaving them both breathless. “Was that better, my wicked?”

“Much better, trouble.”

“There they are,” Evera called. She was little more than a spot in his vision coming over the hillside. Henry shuffled along beside her and Charmaine laid spent on her back.

“You’re alright!” Henry hurried forward. Nicholas let go to let William meet his brother. Henry caught him in a hug, where a salt scent affronted him. Henry laughed at his curled nose. “That smell must be from the river. We had an unpleasant run in with a group of sirens, but we’re alright, as you seem to be.”

“As good as we can be,” he replied hesitantly, then inspected Charmaine. She hung listlessly on Evera’s back, but her eyes were open and present. “What happened?”

“Shimmer sickness,” she groaned. “I can walk—”

“She can’t,” Evera cut in. “Unless we want to crawl our way to wherever we’re going.” She glanced over William’s shoulder toward The Lost Woods. Her eyes narrowed. “Where did you two come from, exactly?”

Nicholas laughed. “You won’t believe it.” Then he deflated. “And you may be a tad upset.”

22

William

Williamwasn’texcitedtohear what the group had to say concerning their interaction with The One Who Waits. Nicholas explained, including the less than pleasant agreement struck. Charmaine and Henry shared expressions of terror and concern, while Evera remained as nonchalant as ever.

“This was always an adventure that would end in death if we failed anyway,” Evera said. “Nothing has changed.”

Henry settled a hand under his chin. “She isn’t wrong. We knew the risks when starting this and there is no point worrying when we can’t turn back.”

More reasons he didn’t want Henry to tag along. The thought must have been written on his face, because Henry offered a lopsided smile.

William clenched and unclenched his hands. “Now that we agreed to help an eldritch entity, how are we meant to go about this?”

Nicholas and Evera shared knowing looks. Evera sat Charmaine down when he approached. He needed to check on her. They traveled away from the shimmer, so hopefully she would recover soon.

“The One Who Waits said Faerie has changed. Is there a way for us to determine in what ways? The patients are likely to be where this source of change is,” said Henry.

William tested Charmaine’s temperature. She was burning up, but not the worst he had felt. He had medicine in his pack. The least he could do was ease her fever, if that was all it was. He called upon the Sight, inspecting the strings coalescing within her. None were torn or frayed, merely burning brighter from her fever. He began the preparations while the group continued their discussion.

Evera grimaced. “If anyone potentially has answers, it’sthem.”

Nicholas waved his hands in the air. “No, we are not going to them. They’re revolting and vicious little gremlins.”

“But well traveled gremlins.”

“Do you care to share with the rest of the group? What are these vicious little gremlins?” Charmaine asked. Her words weren’t slurred, and she took the offered medicine easily enough. She gagged, but when he gave her water, she drank that too.

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