Page 85 of The Hocus Pocus Handbook

Thea pretends to be in good spirits, encouraging the others, but nobody likes our chances. Privately, I have caught Rosa whispering first to Govannon and today to Taragon. If nothing changes, she will likely split the group. I suspect she’s saying that the size of our party makes us easier to track.

Unfortunately, she’s correct.

We can’t move as swiftly as a single hunter, nor can we disappear. As Zeph predicted, the stone and mushroom circles are guarded, impossible for us to pass. And the usual routes are being watched as well. I’m running low on alternatives and hope.

The forest offers plenty of forage at least, though people are tired of endless variations of pigweed porridge and vegetable stew. Thea and Olive need to eat, along with their regular infusions of energy, and since they’re limited to how much they can draw from our small population, both Thea and her sister are looking peaked. From what I have gleaned from their conversations, Thea should feed constantly, a delicate skim of negative energy that makes others feel better. According to Olive, their existence is symbiotic with humanity, reducing violent urges and preventing wider harm.

To me, it seems as if Thea grew up hating the hunger that drives her, and in the past, she often refused to feed until the need grew ungovernable. Which explains what happened with Tempest. I can tell that she’s worried about so many things: how Tempest is faring, getting caught by Liskaal, being banished, Mudge, and now her newfound sister. But I don’t press her to confide in me.

I have just called for a brief rest when Crow circles twice, then dives for Zeph. They communicate too swiftly for me to follow, and then Zeph faces the group. “This is the message I’ve been waiting for.”

“Spill it,” Rosa orders.

Their dynamic has changed since we left the In-Between.

Zeph complies. “We’ve received an offer of asylum. I knew Lady Mirralee would welcome me, but I’ve been negotiating for the rest of you. Today, Crow carries good tidings. Autumn is willing to host us on neutral territory as they facilitate cessation of hostilities between Summer and Winter.”

“Can we manage that?” Thea asks.

“They have a plan,” Olive predicts in a wry tone.

The flirtatious fae flashes her a wicked smile. “You know me so well already.”

Taragon frowns, hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you tell us before? It’s fine for us to risk our lives, not fine to be in the loop? Enough of that nonsense.”

For the first time, regret flashes in their facile features. “It’s not that I don’t trust you after everything we’ve endured together. But if I speak of these matters, it’s possible I could be overheard. That is why I communicate indirectly, via the crows. There aren’t many who can speak their tongue, and translation can be…tricky.”

“Just like you,” I mutter.

Zeph eyes me with a narrow look. “I’m well aware that you neither like nor trust me, hound. But you can believe this: You’ll be amply rewarded for your cooperation.”

Raising a brow, I rejoin, “I doubt you have any notion of what I would consider suitable recompense.”

“You might be surprised,” they say. “But be that as it may, we need to double our pace to rendezvous with the Autumn envoy on schedule.”

That galvanizes everyone, and we push hard, practically running, to make it in time for the meeting. Though I have doubts, an elegant fae awaits at the forest’s edge, clad unmistakably in Autumn’s livery, shades of brown and gold with red accents. For some reason, she bows deeply to Zeph.

Then she says, “It is a pleasure to meet you—”

“We have no time for niceties,” they cut in.

I have the sense that they’re preventing her from revealing…something, but I am not certain what they’re hiding. What other secrets might Zeph be keeping? I watch them carefully, failing to discern anything other than nervous energy.

“Understood. But it would be impolite if I didn’t introduce myself to the group. I am Leifan, first adviser to Lady Mirralee.”

Lady Mirralee governs the Autumn Court alone and has never agreed to any formal partnership. She has two offspring, one of whom will rule when the lady tires of courtly intrigue. The other is shrouded in mystery, a scion born from some fleeting passion.

Zeph offers an impatient nod. “Crow said that you can guide us to a hidden portal.”

“Indeed I can. Follow me.”

Wards I laid at our prior rest point twang in my head. “The hunters are closing in.”

“Hurry,” Thea calls.

Leifan responds by breaking into a run, and now it’s a race. I pour my magic into the terrain all around us, and the branches snap to life, as do the leaves and vines. The trees themselves will defend our passing. Thea shoots me an awed look as she dashes headlong, putting her whole heart into this final sprint for freedom.

Olive falls behind. Her body is built for comfort rather than speed, and Govannon is flagging as well, poor fellow. He spent so much time sitting in a tree in the In-Between that it’s unfair to expect his stamina to withstand this level of exertion. I extend a hand and pull him off his feet. Thankfully, he’s both small and light, and I settle him on my back without breaking stride.