“We’re going to take a little break.” I eased him to a stop then helped him sit. “Just rest for a minute.”
His head lolled against the trunk, his hair tangling in the bark, and he gave no sign of hearing me.
Heck of a time for the team to decide to split up, just when I could have used Clay’s muscle to carry Asa.
With Asa leaving a blood trail, the zombigo must have decided we made easy pickings and followed us.
The fact it was tracking us confirmed its maker was still out there, so good news/bad news?
Drawing my wand, I stood over Asa, putting the tree at our backs. I had seconds to gather my intent to ready a spell before the creature burst from the underbrush, drool stringing its jaw as it snapped at my throat. I stabbed the wand tip under its chin, and my simple defensive exploded in white light, the blast far beyond my capabilities.
The beam shot through the top of its skull, straight to the moon. Smoldering leaves rained down over us, and smoke rose from its charred limbs. The zombigo did a stagger-step forward, its claws raking the air, and then it collapsed at my feet in a sizzling heap of rot.
A wave of white-hot fury zinged through me as I scanned the treetops until I spotted a white orb.
“Get your fuzzy butt down here,” I snapped out at Colby. “And dim that glow.”
The moth did her best to drag her arrival out for as long as possible, until she spotted Asa and cried out.
“Hair bow time.” I pointed at my head. “Now.” I waited until she lit then turned to Asa. “Still with me?”
With his eyes shut, his head tipped back, lips parted, he could have been sleeping.
Or dead.
Arrowing my senses toward his heartbeat, I listened to its faint but steady thumping.
For once in my life, I wasn’t made hungry by the enticement. I was too frantic over his quick decline.
Afraid to take my eyes off Asa, I dictated a text to Clay to let him know what happened then set to work.
“I’m sorry,” Colby whispered from the top of my head. “I didn’t know he was hurt.”
“You promised to stay in the cabin.” Fear for them both sharpened my tone. “What were you thinking?”
“The magic called me.” She burrowed closer to my scalp. “I was playing my game, and I heard it.”
Hooking my hands under Asa’s armpits, I heaved with everything in me to get him swaying on his feet.
“The magic spoke to you?” I coaxed him one step, but he was dead weight. “Does it have any advice?”
Huh.
So that was how desperation tasted on the tongue.
I’d never heard of magic talking to a person, but Colby was a singularity. Who was to say magic, her magic, wouldn’t respond to her differently? The fact I made her my familiar had nothing to do with her power. I was only able to bond with her because she had it. Where it originated, aside from within her own soul, I had no clue. Her purity, her innocence, upon her death was what magnified that kernel until it exploded.
Air stirred across my scalp as she fluttered her wings, and a fission of excitement sparked in her. “Yes.”
“Okay.” I leaned him back against the tree. “I’m open to suggestions.”
I had lost my mind if I thought, for one second, taking advice from a disembodied voice was smart.
But Asa…wasn’t moving. He was barely breathing. His heart had all but given up on him.
I had nothing to lose by thinking outside the magical box.
Except him.