Minx frowned. They're trapping us so that they can take us to Torrent. Even if the spell breaks upon delivery, the three of us will be completely overpowered by him. I think we should find an opening... if we can distract them in some way, then perhaps we can fight back. We just have to be careful about it. Even if it doesn't work, I'd rather die right here and now than give Torrent what he wants. Wouldn't you?
“You're going to hand us over to Torrent, huh?” continued Kaleb. “What could he possibly want with us? We ran into him not so long ago—if he'd wanted to capture us, he would have done it then. Sure you've got the right targets?”
“Oh, I'm sure,” spat the hunter. “I'm completely certain. Now shut that mouth of yours.” He motioned to one of the dark archers closing in on them. “The spell's nearly complete, but if they make a move, don't hesitate to fire.” He still had an arrow nocked, and his dark eyes were boring into the three of them from the shadows. With the half-mask of bone obscuring his face and his pearly teeth bared, he looked less like a man and more like some terrifying, anthropoid animal. The fur on his capes bristled as though it was his own, and the handles of numerous weapons housed beneath their folds—blades and bludgeons—clanged as he shifted.
Kaleb hardened at this threat. “That's enough. Call off your archers so we can talk. I'll do whatever you ask, but leave Minx out of this, will you?”
The hunter smirked. “That's right—you will do anything I ask. But I'm afraid the girl and her cat are coming along, too. The master's nearly arrived at his goal, and will want both you and the Fae. The cat, I suppose, is insurance. Keep crowing and I may have to put her down...” His gaze moved to Mau and a low chuckle left his lips.
Minx felt her arms and legs weakening; the spell was nearly complete, but the utter helplessness of their situation left her doubly enfeebled. What can we do? We're surrounded, and if we fight back they'll kill Mau—or all three of us. There don't appear to be any openings, and if I distract them they'll just open fire! There has to be a way out of this, but I'm not seeing it... Chest heaving and limbs tingling, Minx scanned the treeline, hopeful that some of the Fae warriors would come to their rescue; that her father or some other hero would interrupt the spell and cut down these wicked archers.
Instead, she spied none other than Alla hiding amidst the trees. At sight of the half-Fae, Minx felt herself overcome by a wave of annoyance that momentarily blotted out her terror. Alla? What's she doing here?
The half-Fae was kneeling in the brush, watching the proceedings very closely. Whether the hunter or his Zuscha henchmen were aware of her presence was unclear; she made no effort to announce herself. Minx wondered whether Alla was the one behind the entrapment spell. Could it be that Alla is trained in these dark arts? No way... shes not a Zuscha. They're very secretive about their techniques. She must be out here for another purpose—but what is it? Is she helping the hunter, or is she here to—
Before she could even finish the thought, a blinding light stole her attention and that of everyone else in the vicinity.
And then came the explosion.
Chapter 20
The explosion rocked the earth beneath them. All with legs to stand were knocked to the ground and the air grew thick with dust and the splinters of broken trees. Minx felt the impact wash over her like a forceful gale of wind; it ripped the breath from her lungs and lifted her off her feet.
There was, for a brief time, darkness.
But the blow to Minx had been a minor one, overall—a rude shock, more than anything. Having stood at the center of the circle, the encroaching Zuscha had seemingly borne the bulk of the impact with their bodies and had acted as a sort of shield not only for Minx, but for her companions as well. As she came to on the ground, groaning, she noticed that Kaleb and Mau were still moving. What was that? she asked the Faelyr.
Mau took her time in answering. It's like a bomb went off. I... I think we're still alive, though. We're still alive, right?
Kaleb moaned, slowly getting onto all fours and shaking the debris from his hair. “What in the world...?”
Minx sucked in a deep breath and fought to stand, nervously scanning her surroundings. Did the Zuscha make it? And the hunter? Where's Alla? The Zuscha, as well as their leader, were all sprawled across the ground, scarcely moving. They didn't appear dead, but having received the worst of it, had been knocked unconscious. The hunter, especially, looked out of sorts, tossed to the ground like a rag doll and hardly able to draw in breath. He remained splayed out, glassy-eyed and slack-jawed, his furs and weapons in a disarray.
The half-Fae had disappeared, however. Minx looked out into the woods, even tried calling out to her. “Alla? Alla, are you... are you still here?” There was no reply, however.
“Alla?” echoed Kaleb, rising to his feet. “You saw Alla?”
Minx nodded. “Right before the explosion. She was crouching in the brush, seemed to be hiding. I don't know what she was doing there, but then suddenly...” She motioned to the mess around her. “Lights out.”
Maybe the girl worked some magic of her own to help us out, said Mau.
Maybe... Minx stepped past the circle of fallen Zuscha and steadied herself against the trunk of a half-fallen tree. “Perhaps we'll run into her later. It's
