Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,71

mind told me we were going to fall to our death.

I waited and counted down the steps, expecting to plummet. Instead, my weight shifted forward, and I had to lean back as Damsel started down a small incline.

There’s a trail, I said to Damsel in relief.

Of course, there’s a trail. This is the way.

But a few seconds ago, it was a cliff.

No, no cliff. Only path.

I lifted my blindfold and looked back, and all I saw was fog as thick as molasses. I couldn’t even see Liam or the others.

“It’s okay,” I called back through the veil of magic. “There’s a path. It’s just an illusion.” The fog swallowed my voice. Sound didn’t travel as far in the magic mists.

“Tricky,” I said aloud. “No wonder we couldn’t get out.”

No one followed me through the illusion.

Pern, force him through! I yelled, and I heard a neigh.

Seconds later, Pern burst through the mist fighting the bit in his mouth. He danced across the ground and finally settled. A startled Liam looked around in disbelief.

“I’m alive. You’re alive. I saw you plunge to your death,” Liam gasped. “I even heard you scream.”

“No, it’s just an illusion to keep you trapped within the fog. Now we have to get the men through.”

Liam tried to call through the swirling mist, but just like before, the mist deadened his voice. He spurred Pern back through the fog to bring his men to the other side.

See. Brave, Damsel added. But stupid. Pern was the one who had to get him through the mist.

We waited, and it took some coaxing, but soon Devin, Hayes, and others were led through the illusion.

Not far now, Damsel encouraged, leading the way. Her steps surer as she picked up her pace. The other horses followed her stride.

Not far to where? I asked.

You’ll see.

I didn’t like the way it was going, but I put my trust in my mare not to lead me astray.

The fog lessened, and with it, the proverbial tension that had been hanging over me lifted from my shoulders. The path became clearer, and trickles of sunlight beamed through the tops of trees. I’d never been more excited to see the sun’s rays. It brought hope.

My spirits brightened, and so did everyone else’s.

Devin rode by my side, and he used the distraction to test my abilities.

This is stupid. I shouldn’t test her, but I need to know. Can you . . .?

I frowned and gave him a side look. “Of course, I can hear your thoughts. You’re practically shouting at me.”

His grin spread across his face, and his eyes took on an impish look. He pinched his lips and looked at me expectantly.

Guess what number I’m thinking?

I sighed, having played the game with my sisters many times before. “Five.”

Devin’s grin became wider as he switched numbers.

“Thirteen, four hundred and two, now thirty-nine, forty. If you can’t decide, this will get us nowhere.”

“Amazing. Let’s try something else.”

“I’m not a toy.”

“But this is fun, and there’s nothing else to do. I’m bored. One more.”

I shook my head as another image came to mind. It was a large hominid being over ten feet tall, with long gold hair that fell like waves from its entire body. Its eyes were black and beady, like polished stones, with an enormous nose that poked through the fur. It was a very detailed description.

“A basajaun. I’ve only ever read of them. Have you actually encountered one?” I asked, turning in my saddle toward Devin.

He sat frozen upon his horse. His mouth dropped open as a shadow fell over us.

The ground rumbled beneath our feet and Damsel shifted her weight. I felt her own dread as I looked up at the giant basajaun holding an axe that was coming down straight for my head.

“Look out!” Devin yelled.

Damsel was petrified, unable to react to the oncoming blow. My heart stopped for a split second, and I thought it was the end.

An arrow split the sky, shooting past my ear, and sinking into the basajaun’s fist. The axe missed me and Devin, coming between us, sinking into the earth and spooking both our horses back into action. Damsel bolted, unprepared and not the most stable of riders, I fell from her saddle, my shoulder slamming into the ground.

The air knocked from my lungs and I gasped, unable to breathe. Stars flashed in my eyes, and I tried to gather my wits. Seconds later, air returned once more as my body remembered how to breathe.

“Aura, run,” Liam yelled as he reloaded

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