I’ve learned many things about The Far Place this past week, but one of the most horrifying is the knowledge of what lies just beneath the surface of the ice—the interwoven tunnels branching and spreading deep underground, giving home to creatures that are born from nightmares. All of them converge beneath the base of the welwigs for some reason, which is why the ice is so much thinner here and why it’s so dangerous to forage for the roots I’ve been depending on for a food source.

Normally, one of my mates would do this task. But today, I insisted on doing it, needing some fresh air and a few minutes alone to clear my head. Now that my demon half has fully emerged, the frozen temperature of The Far Place actually feels semi-comfortable, and with my power, I’m fully capable of protecting myself should any creature try to make a meal of me.

At least, that was my reasoning. Now, I’m sorely regretting my decision, especially when these stupid tubers are so damn hard to find—aha!

I lean back on my heels, a grin spreading my lips as I stare at the frost-coated root dangling from my palm. I pocket the morsel and lean forward on my hands, determined to find at least two more before one of my mates comes looking for me in a huff. With treasures in hand, I stand and tiptoe away from the base of the tree like a crook in the night, holding my breath as I brush through the curtain of shimmering, dripping leaves as if the mighty creature will sense I’m stealing something that doesn’t belong to me.

As soon as I make it past the circumference of thinning ice, I let out a breath, reveling in the feel of the wind whipping against my face and the sturdiness of the ground beneath my feet. This small victory feels good.

As soon as the thought forms, I shake it away, the overwhelming sense of pride replaced with guilt in the next blink. For a moment, I forgot how treacherous things are, how close my mates and I are to being found by Slaine and slaughtered. Finding a stupid ice root means nothing when it’s been days, and I still can’t control the kleptak for longer than a few minutes.