“Other forests.” He waved his hands in the air, causing a stream of glitter to sparkle. “The magic relocates them here.”

I shuddered.

“What are you doing all the way out here?”

We both stopped and turned at the sound of Sweyn’s voice. Except Everest’s cold, apathetic expression did not waver. He gestured to me. “How can María learn to hunt over there?"

“OH. Let me pick her first.” She giggled and skipped around us like she’d just offered to pick out new shoes. She stopped behind a tree and watched the forest, a wide grin spread across her face. “Here he comes. Get ready, María. He’s wearing a blue hooded cloak.”

I glanced up to Everest, wondering if he could see the panic in my eyes.

He squeezed my hand. “Just do your best, most ticklings fail on their first hunt.”

Oh Goddess. I had to do this. I had to hunt a human being. With shaking hands, I released my ninja death grip on my soulmate’s arm. Sweyn waved me forward. I moved closer then froze when she held her palm up. There was a beat of silence then she spun around with a wicked grin and used her fingers to count down from three.

When she hit zero a tall man wearing a blue hooded cloak emerged from between the trees. He looked left and right and up. He kept flinching and I wondered if he was hearing the whistling like we had. Everest cleared his throat pointedly. I cursed. I had to attack him. Rip the Band-Aid off, Frankie. Like you told Everest, do whatever you must to survive.

I rolled to the balls of my feet and crouched. When he got into my path I dove for him, tackling him from the side so hard we both flew in the air then crashed onto the ground. Momentum had us rolling in a tangle of limbs and fabric. Sweyn was watching so I had to make this count. I yanked his blue cloak and then he was gone, leaving me in a puddle of fabric. By the time I crawled my way out of the man’s cloak I spotted him a good thirty feet away, running for his life. I cursed and punched the ground.

Sweyn giggled and it sent a chill down my spine. She appeared right in front of me, holding her hand out to help me to my feet. “Did that feel good?”

It didn’t. It felt horrible. It felt like I would have nightmares for days. But I nodded and prayed my face was convincing.

Sweyn glanced over my shoulder and her red eyes sparkled. “Here comes another chance, this one is more appropriately sized. Take her. I shall hunt the escapee. His fear is intoxicating.”

There it is. There’s the monster.