They were suddenly waving around angrily, like the tentacles of some great beast. Some of them were almost as big around as me, but even the smaller ones were woody and strong, like the ones that had grabbed the fey by all four limbs. And, as I watched in stunned disbelief, ripped him apart.

I swung through the middle of a rain of warm blood, utterly horrified, and I guessed I wasn’t the only one. Because, suddenly, the attack from below stopped. I looked down to see the remaining fey abruptly drop further down the vine and then leap to a nearby tree, before heading for the ground as fast as he could. He looked up only once, at the dismembered parts of his friend waving in the air, before dropping out of sight.

I just wished I could do the same. Instead, I was dry heaving as I swung back and forth, blood dripping off my hair, smearing my face, and coating my desperately clinging hands. My head was still swimmy from the blows I’d absorbed, which even Mircea’s power had only cushioned so much, and my whole body felt numb.

But there was only one way out, and it wasn’t swinging around down here.

So, the next time I passed the path, I grabbed it, my bloody hands working hard for a grip. I found one, and a few little tendrils from the vine pushed at my foot, as if trying to help steady me. I tried not to shudder as I felt them, sliding coolly against my naked sole.

I failed.

Stop thinking and just climb! I thought savagely. So, I did, while the vines pushed at me and the dismembered parts of the fey wafted around nearby, as if watching me. I wondered what I’d be doing right now, if I was a normal person. Watching T.V? Folding some laundry? Cleaning my bathroom?

Because cleaning my bathroom suddenly sounded really, really appealing. Or buying groceries or running errands—basically anything that did not involve an endless climb upward with bleeding palms and a swelling face and a head that felt like it might have a crack in it. Of course, that must have already been true, I thought savagely. Or I wouldn’t be in Faerie.

I wanted to know how the others were doing, but I couldn’t tell, even when I blinked the blood out of my eyes. There were only leaves ahead, a thick, dark canopy. And only smoke behind, along with…

The smell of burning?

The camp was far behind us now, and the wind was mostly blowing the other way. Yet, all of a sudden, the smell of a campfire was getting closer. I looked around, craning my neck, but couldn’t see anything.

But not because it was dark.

But because it was too light.