Fulco never had the chance to finish
telling the tragedy of Rex Gryphus. Though it was still a bit before moonrise,
Avalona and its surroundings were ablaze. Another fiery blast rocked the
hillside just below Kent and Cassie, sending flaming tree detritus flying. The
bird halted in mid-air and spun rising high above the forest. Kent, lunged for
cover, barely avoided losing his good eye as a burning stick flew at him. He
saw a huge branch land where the girl had stood. He never saw her move, but found
her hunched beside him. She dug meticulously through her satchel, pulling out
the ornate athame. She ran her fingers over the sheath, before handing the
blade to Wheelock.
“What do you want me to do with this?”
Kent asked.
“That’s my village,” her hazel eyes
pleaded, “we’ve got to go,” her face remained stone.
“You need a weapon,” Kent said, he was
shocked at the sudden explosions, and bewildered that this rag-a-muffin girl
would want to run into whatever danger awaited them, “you take the knife.”
“I have this,” she held up her left arm.
“Girls,” Kent sighed, “what’s a bracelet
going to do?”
“You’ll see. Let’s go.”
