The Fire Sisters (Brilliant Darkness 3) by A. G. Henley

about Frost.
    I’d assumed Conda had come with us because Moray and Cuda were going, but now I wonder if there’s more to his decision. Does he have feelings for the mother of his brother’s child? Does Moray suspect? Would he even care?
    I’m ready to sleep, but between the water and the alcohol, I need to relieve myself. I grab my walking stick and stand.
    “Back in a minute,” I whisper to Peree.
    Sweeping my stick from side to side, I step between the trees. I don’t want to go too far. Getting lost now is all I need—the brothers and Kai would have a field day. Peree would come with me, but this is where I draw the line on togetherness.
    As soon as the firelight fades behind me, I stop and do what I need to do. As I stand, ready to return to the campsite, I smell that irritating acrid scent again.
    Heart thudding, head swiveling side to side, I try to pinpoint where it’s coming from. Is it a lingering scent trail, like before? I can’t get a fix.
    This isn’t safe. I’m alone and possibly beyond where the others can hear me. I turn to go back, and a sound seizes my heart: footsteps sliding fast along the forest floor, coming right for me.
    Pure energy shoots through my limbs. I shout for help and start running, pushing through bushes and branches, colliding with a tree, and jamming my outstretched fingers.
    A hand grasps my shoulder from behind. Fingers dig into my collarbone. The powerful scent hits me full force, and icy fear bursts over me. I writhe, trying to free myself.
    Like the sting of a bee, my neck is punctured with pain, followed by a burning sensation that tears up into my head. I gasp and cry out.
    “Your children belong to the Fire Sisters now,” a female voice growls in my ear. “Stop following us. Tell the others to turn back. Go home, or you will be killed.”
     

Chapter Seven
    The others crash through the trees and brush, calling for me. Their torches paint wild patterns in the dark.
    “Fennel!”
    “Where are you?”
    “Are you hurt?”
    I try, but I can’t answer. I can’t move. I’m frozen, and not only with fear. This is something else. My heart rattles my ribcage, and sweat gathers on my brow and under my arms.
    “Fenn! Tell us where you are!” Peree yells.
    Did the sting at my neck paralyze me? My thoughts swirl in one confused direction, then another, like the torches, but I can only stand absolutely still. What’s happening? What’s wrong with me? What did the Sister do?
    The torches gather somewhere between the campfire and me.
    “Form a line,” I hear Derain say. “Leave five paces between you and walk in step, watching the ground. Keep your weapons ready.”
    The others’ footsteps spread out. In an agonizingly slow march, they push through the trees. Thankfully, it’s in my direction.
    Air rips in and out of my chest and my hands tremble. I’m aware of my surroundings, my body, my thoughts and feelings, but I can’t make myself act on them. I can’t even move my lips to form words. What the Sister said echoes over and over in my head.
    One of the group sounds very close to me now. They’re so near… if they move a little farther forward, they’ll see me—
    “She’s here!” Kai yells. The others rush to us; their torches dart in around me.
    “Mirii?” Derain says. I stay still.
    Peree’s hands cup my face. “Fenn? What is it? What’s wrong?”
    “The children belong to the Fire Sisters now,” I say. “We must stop following, turn back, go home, or we’ll be killed.” My voice sounds unrecognizable, stripped of all emotion, but a rush of relief fills my body. I did as I was told.
    “What’s she talking about?” Cuda asks. “Why does she look all stiff?”
    “Do you smell that?” Bear says. “It’s that scent Fenn was talking about.”
    “The Sisters must be near.” Amarina drops her voice. “Look for the guru. Go in pairs and be cautious!”
    Their torches leave again, except for one. I’m sure everyone’s doing the best