snow had lightened to a trickle, and the trees thinned. Despite there being clouds overhead, the snow around me sparkled in contrast to the dark mass ahead that had to be the lake, not yet frozen but getting closer by the chilly day.
I ran for the dark mass and laughed out loud as I found the shore. I knew which direction to go now. I wasn’t lost anymore. It eased something inside me. Screw the Reaper. He wouldn’t be taking my soul this night.
As I stared out over the dark expanse of water, the waves, sluggish and cold, lapped on the beach. Soon it would turn to ice. Maybe I’d get some skates and see if I remembered how to stay upright. Maybe I’d teach Winnie to skate, too.
As I trudged along the shore, the snow stopped completely. Everything stilled. As the clouds passed, the moon appeared, shining a pale light down. It illuminated enough that a quick turn of my head meant I saw something moving in the woods. Too tall to be an animal. Seemingly two-legged as well.
Was it the person who’d dashed across the road shadowing me? Was it Jace being weird again? Me being paranoid? Why would anyone be out here?
I kept slogging, casting furtive glances at the woods, sometimes catching hints of movement in the shadows.
The air chilled. Got downright frigid to the point my breath almost turned into icicles. My lashes frosted. Having passed the point of chattering a while ago, my teeth clenched tight enough my jaw ached.
The lake went still. I only realized it because the gentle sound of rolling waves stopped. A glance at its surface showed it flat except for a hump highlighted by moonlight. A hump that heaved toward me.
My gaze flicked to the woods. Would I find shelter there?
Maybe, but I might also get lost. And what if the shadow stalker meant me harm?
What should I do?
Run.
This time my legs didn’t fail me, and I bolted. As if it were a signal, the woods came alive, dotted with glowing silver and orange eyes. Everything was silent except for the rustling of frozen tree limbs.
I remained on the shore even as the waves slammed harder and farther as something massive tunneled toward me. I huffed and puffed and wished Jace would show his face for once.
With an axe.
I had nothing.
Nothing but myself, and a never-ending expanse of pristine snow. Which gave me a crazy idea.
Mid stride, I leaped, clearing the ground and landing in an unmarked spot. Crouching, I dragged my finger and rotated, creating my own circle in the snow. As I began to draw the symbols on its edges by memory, I smelled it first.
Putrid. The kind of thing that hinted of moisture and mold.
Don’t look.
I sketched another symbol, frowning as I tried to get it right.
Rustling came from the woods. Branches cracked. I felt more than heard the excited vibration of creatures on the hunt.
For some odd reason, I suddenly heard my grandma’s voice. Always remember, they hate true light.
A fine thing to remember when I didn’t have anything to create any kind of illumination.
A cold exhale full of rot rushed over me. I’d run out of time. I yanked off my glove, hissing at the intense cold that frosted everything. I had nothing sharp, nothing to prick my skin with. My hands dug into the snow by my feet, the tips of them going numb as I sought for—
Aha! I emerged with a jagged stone and, before I could talk myself out of it, dragged it hard across the top of my hand where the skin was thinnest.
I mostly just scraped skin and had to grit my teeth and do it again, even as I heard the thump of steps getting close.
Don’t look. I worried I’d freeze if I saw what came for me.
I flipped my hand, the back of it bloody, and pressed it to my circle.
It stained the snow, but a tremulous grin began to pull my lips as I saw my makeshift pattern starting to glow.
I’d done it. I—
Watched as the magic sputtered and died. The monsters in front of me crowded closer. I should have worried about the one at my rear.
It yanked me by the back of my neck and hauled me off the ground!
21
“Idiot! You can’t draw a circle in snow!” barked a voice.
The statement drew my gaze to the ground. I immediately saw the problem. The very act of putting my hand on the snow crushed it and