Page 81 of Of Wind and Terror

Yet, when I stare into his eyes, I spot nothing but sincerity.

The sight causes my racing heart to slow. It’s suddenly much easier for me to breathe. The air no longer seems to be made up of tiny swords.

I nod once, the barest dip of my chin, and his shoulders sag in noticeable relief.

“Okay. Stay with me. Don’t leave my side.” He guides my hand to the bottom of his back, and I slip my fingers into the waistband, clutching his belt. He jumps slightly at the contact but otherwise doesn’t react. “Come on.”

We walk as one through the maze of webs, guided by Runt’s occasional yip and grunt. I don’t see my pacon, but at least I can hear him. I would probably go mindless with panic if I couldn’t.

The farther we venture, the denser and thicker the webs become. I bat them away with my gloved hand, but it’s almost like trying to unravel a quilt. The strands refuse to cooperate with me.

At least my gloves and modest dress offer some protection. The webs seem to be sticking to Aleksander. They latch on to any bare skin they can find and tug.

“Fuck!” Aleksander bellows as a web coils around his neck.

I reach upwards and pull it away. It tries to stick to my skin, but my glove deters such notions.

I’ve never been more grateful for my power before, and I’m not even using it.

“I don’t like this.” Aleksander’s voice is practically a growl. “Do not let go of me.”

Wasn’t planning on it, I think, tightening my grip on his belt.

And we continue to walk.

Gaia, I can’t help but think that these webs are anything but normal. They claw at our ankles and wrists and necks like white, sentient vines. Fear manifests in my throat like a lump of clay, making swallowing impossible.

Blaze…

Treyton…

Where are you?

Aleksander stops abruptly and cocks his head, the muscles of his neck rigid with tension. I peek over his shoulder to see what has captured his attention.

We seem to have stepped into a clearing that boasts white and purple flowers, as well as a collection of stones piled high in the center. On closer inspection, I see that the stones actually form some sort of structure. A house, perhaps? There’s a roof, an entrance, and three walls.

And every single thing is covered in thick, sticky lattice.

Including the two males stuck to the largest tree.

I can’t see their faces—not with the white threads cocooning them completely—but I know without a shadow of a doubt that they’re Blaze and Treyton. My heart reaches for them, crying morosely, and tears prick my eyes.

Gaia…

A tight band constricts around my chest, hellbent on suffocating me. I place a fist against my chest, as if that could somehow stop the impending heart attack.

“Kassandra—” Aleksander begins, but his voice breaks off in a surprised yelp as a white strand cinches around his ankle and then flings him into the air. He dangles upside down, cursing under his breath, as more and more of that strange, sentient webbing slithers around him.

I desperately search for something I can use to free him, but he’s too far for me to reach, and all I have with me is my harbara. Panic sets in, sinking its icy fingers into me.

What in Gaia’s name am I supposed to do now?

A short, spindly figure steps out of the stone cave, and tension shoots down my spine. My harbara, in response to my mounting fear, transforms into its whip form, slithering around my feet.

“You dare enter Mitchia’s home and threaten her?” Her voice is a low, sibilant hiss.

She steps even closer, and I’m able to see her face for the first time.

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