Panting, I slowly turn in place, swords ready for the next assault. Tiny orbs of light wink into existence all around me. Warily, I sheathe one sword before stretching out my hand, my fingers tingling with a sudden and desperate need.

Saengo reaches for me. “Wait, don’t—”

The moment my skin makes contact with a glowing orb, they all brighten as one. They circle around me, spinning like a vortex of strung paper lanterns. Saengo gasps.

My eyes widen in wonder. Are these …?

That power in me loosens its grip, and the lights disperse into the dank, shadowy air.

I release an unsteady breath. Darkness settles once again. The trees are still. Faces continue to press outward from within the bark, but the shrieking has stopped. The roots rustle and the branches vibrate, agitated. But both keep their distance.

Saengo whispers, “What just happened? Did you do that?”

“I don’t know.” A wave of exhaustion washes over me. I cup my head as my knees waver. Saengo catches me before I can fall.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, frantic.

I try to tell her I’m fine, but I can’t seem to speak. My heart thunders. The branches shake over our heads. The trees seem to press in again, but not with the same malice as before.

Then, all at once, the trees shrink away. Saengo’s head snaps up at the sudden movement, and she reaches for her sword again. A tall figure emerges from the dark. I squint up at him, but he’s difficult to make out in the gloom.

Ronin the Spider King says, “Come. The woods at night are no place to linger.”

EIGHT

My head feels like it’s been stuffed with feathers. I squint at Ronin’s back, his broad shoulders, and the sweep of his gray robes. As much as I want to ask him questions, I’m more intent on not falling on my face in front of him. It would make for a poor first impression.

After a length of time that feels like ages, Ronin leads us through a gauzy white drape that hangs from the trees, and just like that, we stand before Spinner’s End. I take in the impression of somber walls, curved roofs, and towers limned in silver moonlight before soldiers sweep Saengo and me into the castle. They usher us into a room where we’re ordered to rest for the night. We’re so exhausted that we don’t argue. We merely seek out the bed and fall into it.

Thankfully, I awake clearheaded in the morning, despite disturbing dreams of grasping, broken hands and silent, screaming mouths. Saengo is asleep beside me, hogging the blanket. We’re still wearing our clothes from yesterday. My nose wrinkles at the smell.