epainsoftrationshotayforehead,butIboredownahemrunningthroughthesnowiance.Ifeltaneowerfulmagimysenses,forIcouldseethemclearly,whilerealizingthattheyshouldbetoofaraheadandoutofsight.Byvisualizingmyway,Igavechase,areesandbrahathad-fusedmebeforenowseemednoobstacle.Iwhippedthroughthewoodsthearrowfliesthroughtheopeningsinafehoutathought,fold-ingupitswingsattherightmoment,glidingthrough.

    WhenIcaughtup,Ifoundtheywerestandingbehindtheroughpinesshortoftheforestedge.Beforeuslayaroadandonthatroadacarhadstopped,itsheadlightsstreakingthroughthemistydarkness,brokenpiecesofthemetalgrilleglisteningontheasphalt.Throughtheopendriversdoor,asmalllightshoheemptycab.Theanomalyofthecarpulledmetowardit,butthestrongarmsofmyfriendsheldmeback.Afigureemergedfromthedarknessandsteppedintothelight,athinyoungwomaninabrightredcoat.Sheheldonehandtoherforehead,andbendingslowly,shereachedoutwithherfreearm,nearlytougadarkmasslyingintheroad.

    "Shehitadeer,"Luchógsaid,anoteofsadnessinhisvoice.Sheagonizedoveritsprostrateform,pullingherhairbaherface,herotherhandpressedagainstherlips.

    "Isitdead?"Iasked.

    "Thetrick,"saidSmaolaaquietvoice,"istobreatheintoitsmouth.Itsall,butinshock."

    Luchógwhisperedtome."Wellwaituntilshesgone,andyou-spireit."

    "Me?"

    "Dontyouknow?Youreafaerynow,sameasus,anddoanythingwedo."

    Thenotionoverwhelmedme.Afaery?Iwaoknhtawayifitwastrue;Iwaestmyownpowers.SoIbrokeawayfrommyfriend