The Changelings Series, Book 1 by Christina Soontornvat

foot when she heard a piercing shriek echo through the woods.
    â€œIt’s the Unglers!” whispered the creature, wringing his hands. “And me without my Stairstep! Oh, if they smell me, I’m done for!”
    Izzy worked her fingers faster. “Almost got it…”
    The shrieks grew louder and were joined by others. They sounded like pigs squealing, but from the terrified look on the creature’s face, Izzy knew they must be something much worse.
    â€œOh, please hurry—they’re getting closer!” he cried.
    â€œAlmost. One more second. There!”
    The creature stood up and flexed his foot. “A thousand, thousand thanks, friend!” He grabbed her hand and shook it up and down vigorously. “But let’s be out of here, quick!” He fetched his basket and started bounding into the woods. “Come on!” he called over his shoulder.
    Izzy stood frozen to the spot. “But—the path! I’m not supposed to leave it!” she shouted after him.
    â€œDon’t be foolish!” he said, turning and coming back to her. “Don’t you hear them?”
    The screeching sounded closer every second. Izzy wasn’t sure what was louder—the shrieks or Marian’s voice ringing in her ears, warning her to stay on the path no matter what.
    â€œThe Unglers can pluck the flesh right off your bones!” said the creature, his dark eyes growing even wider. “They’ll start with your kneecaps!”
    That settled it. She wasn’t going to stand around waiting for something to eat her knees. With a running leap, she left the path and landed in the thick moss at the creature’s feet.
    â€œFinally! Thought you’d never come to your senses,” he said. “Let’s get moving. Up you go!”
    He bent down and picked her up under the arms, hoisting her onto his shoulders. Before she could say anything else, he took off crashing through the brushy understory.
    Behind them, the path receded from view and disappeared.

10
Through the Edgewood
    The creature didn’t stop until they reached the edge of a stony creek. “Here we are, and down you go.” He lifted Izzy off his shoulders and set her gently on the ground. He waded into the water, wriggling his leathery toes. “Ah… Nothing like a cold soak after a long hike, I always say. Go on, have a dip if you like. My name’s Lug. What’s yours?”
    â€œUm, Isabella,” said Izzy, looking around nervously. “What if the Unglers saw us come this way?”
    â€œThey can’t see,” said Lug. “Haven’t got any eyes. Besides, this is miles from the Road, and they never stray far from it.”
    â€œWait. Do you mean we’re miles from the path?”
    Lug sat down on the stream bank and carefully inspected the gumroots in his basket. “Hmm? Oh yes, far, far away from it, thank goodness.”
    Tears welled up in Izzy’s eyes. Not even one hour in Faerie and she had already gone against Marian’s advice. She was more lost than she could possibly be, and not a single soul knew where she was or how to find her. She would never, ever find Hen now.
    Lug hurried to her and wrapped her in his long arms. It stopped her from crying—mostly because he was pressing her so tightly into his warm belly that she could hardly breathe.
    â€œThere, there, my girl. I know that was all a bit frightening, but we’re safe now. Here, have a gumroot. They’re better roasted, but they’re not too bad raw either. That’s a girl… Er, what did you say your name was again?”
    â€œCall me Izzy,” she answered, taking one of the purple roots from Lug. Her first thought was to refuse it—what if it made her turn into a toad or something horrible like that? But Lug looked at her so expectantly. She nibbled the crunchy root. It tasted like beets mixed with licorice.
    Lug’s smile spread the length of his