Page 92 of Wilds of Wonder
“We need to stay quiet,” Aron said, voice low. “They’re blind, but they do react to sound.”
“Oh good, so another plant-eater situation,” Driscoll said.
Aron frowned. “These are flying bugs that latch onto your neck and suck out your blood, so quite different from plants.”
Driscoll sighed heavily.
“Okay,” I said as Maverick still stood rigid, El with her back to us, arms crossed. “What do we do?”
The buzzing morphed, turning to chimes and humming. I tilted my head. It sounded like a song.
“Are the bugs in a band?” Driscoll scratched the back of his neck. “Do they tour the Wilds and put on shows?”
“No, that’s odd.” Aron frowned. “The buzzing indicates they’re about to attack, but it seems to be...”
The buzzing faded even more, the other sounds growing louder, a melody that floated through the air. Fun and fast. It made me want to dance, to join in on whatever party was happening beyond this pathway.
El straightened, then started toward the sound.
“El, wait!” Aron said, but she didn’t listen.
“I think I’m going to need my heart checked if we ever get out of this place.” Driscoll laid a palm to his chest. “It’s just one thing after another here.”
Curiosity got the better of me, and I followed El. A hand grabbed my arm, and I whipped around, face inches from Maverick’s.
“You don’t know what’s around this hill,” he said. “Maybe it’s better to let her go first.”
I shook my arm from his. “Afraid of a little challenge, Bone Collector?”
“Oh, I live for challenges. I also prefer to keep my head.” His eyes flashed, and for just a moment, it felt like we were back.
A violin struck up a chord, and we jumped apart.
“Might as well go check it out.” Driscoll huffed and shoved between us.
Aron and Maverick looked at each other, and Maverick sighed, relenting. We followed the path around the hill. The music grew louder as we approached, and laughter pealed through the air.
I gasped as we rounded a curve, a thicket of thorns and tangled brush creating a large canopy that arched over a girl. A woman. Young, in her early twenties if I had to guess. She clapped and laughed again. Bugs hung in the air around her, as large as my hand, their translucent wings fluttering nonstop.
She pointed at one. “You’re not keeping up the harmony, Atticus.”
As if it actually understood her, the bug lifted higher and made a sound like a drum that beat in rhythm to its flapping wings.
I blinked a few times, unsure of what, exactly, I was seeing.
Maverick pushed past me, stumbling forward. “Annalee?”
My head snapped to him, then back to the girl.
The bugs continued their harmony while Maverick entered the canopy, ducking to get inside. Annalee patted the spot next to her and gave him a toothy grin like she’d been expecting him this entire time. Aron, El, Driscoll, and I stayed outside, all of us watching with rapt fascination.
“Maverick!” Annalee clapped her hands. “I was hoping you’d find me. Do you want to join my tea party?”
“Your what?” Maverick snapped.
I took in the entire scene. Annalee sat on a checkered blanket, chipped and dusty cups surrounding her. A top hat sat next to her bouncing up and down.
“Would you like some tea?” Annalee held the cup to the hat. It flipped upside down and she poured the tea inside.
