Page 112 of Whispers of the Elderoak

The creature was dead, but growls echoed as the monsters closed in. Shadows emerged from the mist surrounding them, more of the creatures taking shape as they crept closer.

“Where’s Skye?” Raine shouted, raising green vines from the ground to build a temporary wall around them.

“Close!” Thorne yelled back.

“She’d better hurry,” said Jorrar.

Ava was still on the ground, trembling and frozen in fear. Casimir turned toward her. “Get up,” he growled.

She shook her head as she marveled at the creatures around them, tearing through the vines, ravenous eyes seeking their dinner. A cry sounded from above and Skye appeared, hovering above the group.

“She can’t hold all six of us at once!” Casimir shouted.

“She can take three,” said Thorne. “She’ll drop us to safety and come back for the rest. Hold them off for a few minutes longer.”

Casimir leaned down and grabbed Ava under her arm, lifting her up, then looked at Thorne. “You and Raine go with Ava. We’ll wait for Skye to return.”

“But—” Thorne tried to argue but was cut off.

“You’re our king. You go with the first group!” Casimir shouted at him.

They widened their circle slightly, allowing Skye to land. Thorne quickly climbed on her back, and she rose into the air, grasping Ava and Raine around their waists with each of her taloned feet.

Ava screamed as they ascended, watching the remaining three fae get smaller the higher they flew. Bile rose in her throat as the eagle carried them over the swamp to safety. Minutes later, Skye was landing in a clearing in the woods, dropping both Ava and Raine. Thorne jumped from her back before she flew off, heading to rescue the remaining members of their party.

Ava was hunched over on her hands and knees, nausea rising as she felt someone’s hand on her back. “Are you okay?” Raine asked.

“No,” she whispered, breathing through the nausea and dizziness that followed.

She gathered her bearings, sat up and crossed her legs, rubbing her temples.

“Not much for flying, huh?” Raine quipped.

“Well, I’ve never been carried by a giant eagle before, so there’s that.”

Ava looked up at Thorne who was standing before her, obviously still reeling from the news. Reaching his hand down, he pulled her to standing.

“Are the others okay?” she asked.

He nodded. “Skye just arrived. They’ll be here shortly.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, shoulders slumping.

“Umm… guys…” Raine urged from behind them.

They turned around and looked at him. “Yes?” Thorne asked.

“Did you summon these animals?”

“What animals?” asked Ava, fearing there were more creatures they had to escape.

Raine gestured toward the woods. “Look,” he whispered.

From between the trees and under the brush, creatures great and small emerged. Familiar small glowing foxes crept out from under the shrubs. Deer slowly inched their way into the clearing from between the trees while colorful birds flitted about. Butterflies appeared and danced around Ava, landing on her and then taking off again and again.

The remainder of their group landed with a thump as Skye remained on the ground beside them.

“What’s going on?” Quinn asked.

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