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Myka hurried through the trees, with Alice and Ashleigh following close behind. He was moving faster than he had the entire time they had been in Spring. His whole demeanor was lifted.

“It’s not far!� he called back. “We were almost there!�

The pull was strong as they got closer, and Myka laughed. He knew they were almost on top of it now. Finally, the rush of excitement got the better of him, and he took off in a run.

“Myka, wait!� Ashleigh called out as he jumped over a fallen log, putting even more distance between them.

“We were so close!� Myka called back with delight. “If we had just kept going, we would have been there!�

“Myka!� Alice called out. She tried to get ahead, but the brush in the area was thick. There was only one path to take, covered in small obstacles.

“Slow down!� Ashleigh shouted. “We’ll be there soon enough!�

“Hurry up!� Myka shouted back with a laugh.

He felt good, like he had finally been able to do something for this mission. But that good feeling was distracting him from his surroundings. The focus on the hum of the ley line was keeping him from hearing the other sounds that were even closer.

The creature burst through the brush, its large head filled with sharp teeth roaring at Myka as he jumped over another down tree.

“Aahh!� Myka screamed as he stumbled back, falling over the log and rolling to the forest floor.

The monster moved forward, a bear-like creature with white eyes and roots extending out of its belly. Its fur was matted with large chunks torn away, replaced by either open wounds or thick bark.

It charged at him, Myka scrambled to get away.

With a shout and a blurred movement, Alice was there. She slammed into the beast, shoving it back, but not far.

“Get up!� she shouted back at him.

Myka quickly got to his feet just as Ashleigh moved past him, her blades already drawn as Alice held the creature back with a staff. It was a battle of strength, and she would not win.

Ashleigh moved between Alice and the bear, slicing at the creature\'s gut.

The beast roared and reared back, preparing to rip away at them with his claws.

“Alice!� Ashleigh shouted.

Alice stepped back and used the fallen log to launch herself upward, the staff in her hands quickly shifting to a blade as she drove it into the monster’s throat. At the same time, Ashleigh continued to tear at the flesh of its belly.

Myka heard the sound of the creature fading as it slumped down and then fell over on its side. Both women were left catching their breath as they watched to ensure no more movement.

Then they turned back to him, angry.

“I told you to wait!� Ashleigh shouted.

“You know how dangerous it is to separate from the group!� Alice added angrily.

“I’m sorry,â€� Myka replied. “I justâ€"“

Myka’s eyes went wide, and his words fell away. Then, behind them, he saw two thin tendrils spring up into the air. He suddenly remembered the moment in the snow, feeling the root pierce his back and push to come out of his chest. The pain, the fear.

“Myka?� Alice called to him, noticing the change in his expression.

He sprung forward and pushed both women out of the way just as the tendrils began to move toward them.

He ducked down. The tendrils shot toward him and barely missed as he slipped beneath them. Grabbing them both, he looked down at the fallen beast. They were using the last of his song to fuel their mission.

Myka held tightly to the tendrils as he landed on the ground. He then pulled with all his might until he heard a satisfying tearing and the final note of the creature’s song went silent.

Ashleigh and Alice got to their feet quickly, turning to watch as Myka tore the roots from the beast\'s carcass.

He looked up at them, his chest heaving as he took deep, heavy breaths. He swallowed and threw down the tendrils in his hand. Beneath him, the creature shriveled just like the others had.

Myka straightened his back and smoothed his shirt before clearing his throat.

“As I said,� he began. “I’m sorry for running ahead. That was dumb.�

Alice let out a soft chuckle and shook her head.

Ashleigh looked down at the tendrils and swallowed.

“That’s how they spread the infection...� she whispered.

“Yep,� Myka nodded.

She looked back at him and then closed the distance between them, pulling him into a hug.

“Thank you,� she whispered.

Myka smiled and returned the hug.

As they pulled away, Myka smiled again.

“So, now that that is all done,� Myka motioned toward the creature. “Back to the reason for my excited running.�

He smiled brightly, practically bouncing.

“Follow,� he said, turning and continuing through the trees. This time, without running ahead.

It wasn’t far, only about twenty feet from where they had been attacked.

“Here,� he whispered, pulling back a branch to let them through ahead of him.

Ashleigh and Alice stepped through and then looked up.

It was a mountainside, nothing strange or unique about it. At least, not at first glance. But as they got closer, they could see how the foliage grew circularly. A natural archway set deep in the stone. Ashleigh stepped closer, and she could feel the power coming off of it.

“This is it,� she whispered.

“Told you,� Myka smiled, and then he tilted his head as he stared at the archway. “It’s pulsing.�

“I can feel the power coming off it, too,� Ashleigh replied.

“No,� Myka shook his head. “It’s... wrong.�

“What do you mean?� Alice asked.

“I don’t know... it feels like the surface of a lake. Calm, still... but underneath the water moves, the fish swim. But now... it’s like someone threw a large stone in the water, the splash and the ripples running out across the stillness.�

“It must be the Dark Queen,� Ashleigh replied. “Whatever she is doing to the mound must be having an effect on the gate. We need to hurry.�

She set down her pack and began to pull out the explosives.

“It’s still going to take us two days to travel back to the mound,� Alice said. “And we don’t know what we’ll find when we get there.�

“True,� Ashleigh said. “But it’s not like we have a choice.�

Alice nodded and moved to help set the charges.

***

Myka and Alice sat alone, warming themselves by the fire. The night was quiet, with only the sounds of the nocturnal creatures around them.

“How’s the....� Alice began to ask, and then unsure how to phrase it, she moved her hand to her ear and waved.

“Chorus of chaos?� Myka asked with a laugh.

Alice smiled and nodded.

He took a breath.

The sounds plaguing him since they arrived in Spring were still there. The screams, the agony, the unnatural screeching. It hadn’t stopped for him. But, after Ashleigh told him to think of Peter, it changed.

He could hold onto the feeling of Peter standing beside him, holding his hand and whispering in his ear above all the rest of the noise.

‘Listen...’ Peter’s voice said with a soft warmth that soothed Myka.

And with that word, he was able to do it, to listen to individual sounds and try to pinpoint where they came from. It was still essentially a chaotic mess, but he could now identify the ley lines\' hum. He knew the direction they needed to go. Even if Alice got lost, he was sure he could directly lead them to the mound.

“It’s better,� he replied. “Still... a lot.... But I don’t feel like my head’s going to explode now. So that’s a win.�

“That’s a big win,� Alice laughed.

Alice let out a soft yawn and stretched her back.

“We have a long hike tomorrow,� she said, patting his shoulder and standing up. “I am heading to bed. You should too.�

Myka swallowed and looked up at her as she started to move away.

“Alice?�

She looked back.

“Hmm?�

“I’m not sure if I should tell you... or if it’s even worth paying attention to,� he began, lowering his gaze.

Alice furrowed her brows and tilted her head toward him. She could see that he was concerned.

“What are you talking about, Myka?� she asked, sitting beside him again.

Myka licked his lips and then looked up at her again.

“It’s not just the trees and animals that I can... feel,� he said. “It’s people too.�

Alice thought about it and nodded.

“That seems right. We are all part of the natural cycle. So if you’re hearing nature, it would be strange if you didn’t get something from people as well.�

“Right,� he replied. “But yours... is different.�

“What do you mean?� Alice asked, keeping her tone even but feeling a strange rising panic in her stomach. “Different, how?�

Myka shook his head.

“I don’t really know,� he said.

“Do you mean it’s different from you and Ashleigh?� Alice asked.

“I can’t really hear myself, but Ashleigh... she... glitters?� Myka said hesitantly.

“Glitters?� Alice asked with wide eyes before letting out a snorting laugh.

“Shut up!� Myka laughed. “I don’t know how else to describe it.�

“So... I guess I don’t ‘glitter’ as she does?� Alice asked with a broad smile still on her face.

Myka rolled his eyes.

“She has something... extra to her. I’m guessing it has to do with the whole fae blood and original Luna taking up space in her mind thing,� he clarified.

“I see,� Alice nodded. “Well, if that is the prerequisite for ‘glittering,’ then I am happy to be dull.�

“You’re not dull,� Myka replied. “You have your own unique sound... it’s just different.�

“Myka, I’ve always been different,� Alice smiled, standing up.

“No, Alice, that’s not what I mean,� Myka sighed. “I don’t know how exactly I know this... but you sound different than you used to. Like... something has changed inside of you.�

Alice felt a lead weight in her stomach.

“The infection,� she whispered. “That must be the difference.�

Myka’s eyes widened and then closed with a regretful sigh.

“I guess... it’s further proof that it really has changed me....� She said sadly.

“I’m sorry, Alice,â€� Myka said. “I didn’t mean toâ€" “

“It’s ok,� she smiled. “It’s not like it is new information. But at least we have an answer to my unique sound. I’m going to bed now. I’ll see you in the morning.�

Alice walked away without giving a chance for any other words to be spoken.