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Anxious energy coursed through Peri as she asked. “Do you know where the last lantern’s light is?”

Zila’s ears flicked back as she spoke. “I know. But I do not want to take you there.”

Peri bit her lip, unease bubbling in her chest. “I think I have to go.”

Zila licked Peri’s face with a rough swipe of her tongue before responding.“If you say so.”

Peri reached up, scratching behind Zila’s ears, but the gesture felt more mechanical than reassuring. “I’ll be fine. Let me get the distractions ready and then we can go.”

But the truth was, she wasn’t sure. She didn’t need everyone reminding her how terrified she should be. Her nerves already twisted in her gut, making her feel like she might vomit.

She stopped scratching Zila. A chill crept down her spine. “Did you read any of the books Bonegrundle brought you?”

“Of course. I have them with me now.” Peri fumbled through her satchel and pulled out one of the worn books Bonegrundle had given her. “But they’re all about the Goddess. Stories of how the Devil and the Goddess used to work together.”

Zila gave her a look, a strange glint in her eyes, before she shook her head and padded away to lie down. Peri stared at the book in her hands, her brow furrowing in thought. She tucked it back into her satchel, turning her attention to Oleander and Hemlock. The two were signing furiously at each other, their argument heated. Hemlock stomped off into the bushes, and Oleander groaned long and loud, his frustration evident.

With the others gone, Oleander pulled off his mask, and his voice dropped to a more serious tone. “Hemlock doesn’t think you should go to the Lady of the Lake. He was also furious when I told him you fought the Morozjak alone.”

Peri raised an eyebrow. “Oh, because that was something your family wanted to keep hidden?”

“No,” Oleander laughed, the sound incredulous. “He’s upset because you could have died.”

Peri nodded slowly. “Well, that’s… thoughtful.”

Oleander gave her an unamused look. “Not helpful though. If it were up to him, we’d keep you hidden. Lock you away in our Circle so we could protect you. Just give him a minute, he’ll come around.”

Peri stared at the spot where Hemlock had stormed off.

Brenn arrived then, an eyebrow arched. “You ready, Perine?”

Before Peri could respond, Hemlock emerged from the trees, striding toward her with a determined look. Without a word, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

Then he placed a note in her hand. It read: Obviously, I’m going to help you.

Peri smiled softly, touched. She signed, >Thank you.<

The group moved to a deserted clearing, where Peri began pulling ingredients from her nearly bottomless satchel. She laid them out carefully on the ground, organising them by order of use. When she was done, she turned to find that Hemlock and Oleander had given her and Brennessel a brief moment of privacy.

Peri’s heart ached. She wanted to tell Brennessel how much she loved her, how much she meant to her. Brenn had been one of the only beings who truly understood her. She felt clever with Brenn, felt like she mattered—not just for what she could do or give, but for who she was.

“Brenn,” Peri’s voice trembled, and a tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, steeling herself before she spoke again. “If you’re going to take Taryn foraging for lunar beetle wings, make sure you check if they’re in the middle of a mating season. And for spirits’ sake, at least bring extra clothes to change into.”

“Oh, fuck off,” Brenn chuckled softly. “I’m going to take back all the potions I just filled your satchel with.”

Peri smirked. “I’m just being helpful! I had to throw all my clothes out because they stank so badly.”

Brenn’s gaze softened, her smile glassy with affection. “If you ever need anything, you come find me, okay?”

Without warning, Peri leapt into Brenn’s arms, holding her tightly. “I’ll find you, regardless.”

“You better,” Brenn murmured, her grip tightening in response, as if unwilling to let her go.

Oleander and Hemlock rejoined them, and Peri grew once more solemn, pulling out the plan she’d carefully crafted with Brenn. Each of them had a critical role to play. First they’d create highly potent explosives, each one infused with Peri’s unique magical scent. She guided them through the process: grinding and combining the ingredients, carefully wrapping each layer until they each held a small, chartreuse package in their hands.

Peri unfurled her map of the Fauna Circle, pointing to two desolate locations. “We’ll place the distractions here,” she said. “Just enough time to cause confusion and make our escape.”

Peri pulled a glass jar with a pickled egg inside it. Holding the egg out as far as she could manage—the smell was more than atrocious—she called out for the hellhound Shadowfall.