Lin is still aiming at the trees, squinting one eye over his crossbow when he adds, “They’re trying to get her. Lorna and I both felt it.”

“Felt what exactly?” I ask, readying my weapon.

Lin sucks in air. “It was like someone was inside the carriage. First, I heard a voice. Then, I felt a pair of hands. They were trying to rip Lorna and me away from her. Trying to get her alone.”

“What did the voice say?” I knock my bow and swivel, aiming in different directions. I see nothing but the empty clearing and the dark trees surrounding us.

“I was half asleep, so I’m not too sure. I think it said, ‘Now.’”

I blink. “Now? That’s it?”

“Like I said, I barely heard it. I was asleep. The hands are what got me, naked, standing here. Then I saw a dark smoke spiral in the trees. I shot at it. Not sure I got anything.”

“Like the mist from before?” Torrent stammers.

“No,” Lin emphasized. “Like a spirit.”

I flash him a concerned look, then immediately return my focus to my section of the tree line. I study the base of the trunks and then slowly move my attention to the canopy.

Nothing. It’s so quiet.

Braxton whinnies and bucks. I lower my weapon. “We need to leave. Quickly.” Torr and Lin nod. I grab my cloak and throw it at Lin, who does his best to cover himself. Torr is already patting the horses, gearing them up for the run ahead of us. At least this time, they’ve slept and eaten. I pound on the carriage door, yell that we’re leaving, then pull myself into the driver’s seat as Torr quickly hitches the horses. As soon as he climbs up next to me, we’re off.

We push the horses through the night. I try to ignore the frozen air that whips against my face and pray we aren’t far from the Aeradian border. If this spirit doesn’t kill us, the weather might. I flick the reins and urge the horses to run faster.

Lin calls from his perch behind the carriage. “Braze… Braze!”

I don’t have to signal Torrent, he is already climbing across the carriage roof to meet Lin. “What in the four hells?” I hear him sputter. The carriage sways, and it’s all I can do to keep the horses moving forward.

“Uh, Boss. We have a problem!” Torrent shouts.

I barely turn my cheek towards the disturbance behind me.

“What is it?”

“I… I have no gods damn clue.”

“Oh shit!” Lin screams, and then the carriage topples over.