Page 77 of Secrets and Ruin

“Because of the state of this place, the smell of fae magic could easily hide the smell of a witch’s,” Niko continued, giving Dirk a proud look before focusing again on our predicament.

“Are there witches out here?” I asked, looking over my shoulder cautiously.

“There used to be, but the pack did their best to handle those who used this place as their home. I killed one in my first century living here alone and haven’t seen one since then. They were old witches who used the innately magical environment to extend their lives and power their magic. Stories like Hansel and Gretel were based on them. They didn’t eat children. They only stole their life force as their own. All those potential years the children could have had would become their own.”

“Were they a coven or something?”

“They were loosely connected,” Niko said, pausing in the middle with a thoughtful expression. “Whether they trained each other or developed their techniques with each other, I don’t know. What I do know is they don’t belong here.” He looked at each of us. “They work like the fae in one aspect. They will lure you to them. Just stay close. Jacky at the back, then Landon and Dirk. I’ll be in the front. Grab onto something on the person in front of you.”

Going to the back, I grabbed Landon’s shirt. He was holding Dirk’s belt, and Dirk had his hand on Niko’s bag. Niko started walking, moving faster than our pace when Dirk and Landon were in the front.

Straining to look around the group, I couldn’t see where the path properly picked back up. My anxiety had my heart racing and my ears echoing the drumbeats of my heart so loudly, I could barely hear the forest around me or the footfalls of my companions.

My foot hit something, and, feeling like an idiot, I fell, bashing my knee into the ground.

“Fuck!” I snapped, pushing back up.

“You okay?” Landon asked, grabbing my elbow to help me up.

I looked down to see what had tripped me, seeing the root moving back out of the way as I did.

“Oh, no,” I whispered. “Landon, we have to run.” I scrambled back to my feet and pushed him. “Go!”

He turned around, but Dirk and Niko weren’t there. They were nowhere in sight.

“How…” Landon trailed off, sniffing hard, his brow furrowing as he did. I joined him, walking quickly, but it was as if Niko and Dirk were never with us at all.

“What?” I looked around wildly, unable to comprehend what had just happened. “We were together. I tripped. You helped me up. It took less than ten seconds.”

“We obscured our scents, but I could still smell everyone when we were next to each other. I could smell him as I helped you up…or thought I could.” Landon hovered beside me, his hand holding my bag firmly, and every time he moved at all, I felt it.

Searching the surrounding trees, I looked for any sign of them or life at all and swallowed when I saw a light through the trees on my third pass.

“Landon…” I pointed it out.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he growled.

“Run,” I said again, turning to take off. Landon was of the same mind this time. We hauled ass, heading directly away from the small building with the light emanating from the window. I made it ten feet before I stepped into something and found myself flung into the air, hanging upside down. I couldn’t move. My arms dangled as though I didn’t have the strength to move them. I couldn’t curl up and attempt to free myself. The rope on my ankle holding me upside down burned as if it was silver.

“Keep running,” I roared at Landon as he skidded to a stop and looked up, his eyes wide. “Run!”

“I can cut you down!” he growled, running for a tree. I swung, losing sight of him for a moment, then getting it back as he reached the trunk of a tree.

Then she stepped out and blew something in his face, smiling as he thumped to the ground.

I didn’t know who she was, the young woman wearing modern hiking gear as she stepped over his body. Her clothing made the entire situation only more surreal. Nothing about her seemed like the old hag in the forest who lured children to eat them. If I didn’t know any better, she looked like any experienced hiker, confident in the terrain around her and carrying everything she needed with her. Her brown hair was pulled back in a tight bun to keep it out of her face. She was just a woman who knew what she was about.

Behind her, Rainer stalked out of the darkness.

“I was worried you wouldn’t be able to manage this,” he growled.

“I’ve spent centuries hiding from your brother, perfecting my illusions and craft. Have more faith,” she said, smiling at him. “You need me more than I need you.”

“Are you sure about that?” he asked, leaning over her.

“You would have never found me if I didn’t want you to,” she purred. “Remember that, and let me get to work.” She casually waved him away.

Rainer took a step back, looking down at Landon with a sneer. I snarled as he brought a foot back. He stopped, his green eyes jumping to me. Whatever he was thinking, he didn’t kick Landon while he was unconscious before disappearing back into the forest.

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