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“Baobei, it was too dangerous for you. It’s too soon for you to use your magic, and you still need to complete far more combat training.”
Xiang made a whip-cracking sound, but a yelp cut it short, thanks to Chen shooting an icicle at his head.
“Enough bickering,” Xiao Dan cut in before Chen and Xiang could continue their nonsense. It didn’t matter. That bit was enough to remind Yichen of his home, more than all the trinkets they could have brought with them from China. There was nothing that screamed the Zhang clan more than Chen and Xiang attempting to kill each other.
“We need to clean up this mess and dispose of the bodies while Moon searches for the books he came for,” Shixiong continued as Yichen and Rei walked over to where his clan gathered near the vehicles.
“I can take care of the corpses alone,” Rei called out, drawing all eyes to them.
“Yes! I knew you were going to be an awesome addition to our party!” Meimei said with a giggle. She beamed at him and offered two thumbs up while a bloody spear leaned against her shoulder. Blood was splattered on her adorable round face, giving her a fierce and frightening countenance.
“We can’t ask you to do that, Rei,” Xiao Dan broke in.
“We’re happy to help,” Junjie added, moving away from the cars and into the wooded area.
“No, really. It’ll be easier for everyone if I handle it.” He smiled as he motioned for Junjie to step back toward the cars.
“Are you sure you’re up for this? It can wait a while so you can catch your breath,” Yichen inquired, but he was already holding out his hands to take the sword and bow from Rei.
“I’m fine. That was just a skirmish. We’ve fought much worse than that.” Rei winked at him as he lifted the bow from where it crisscrossed his chest. He gave up the sword and sheath.
With Rei considerably lighter, Yichen walked over to where his clan stood watching the elf. Rei strolled between the trees, his fingers running over the rough, uneven bark. His lips moved, but even with Yichen’s sharp hearing, he could only make out every other word.
Junjie moved to his side and bumped his shoulder. “What’s he saying?” he whispered. “A spell?”
Yichen shook his head, the smirk resting on his lips softening into something tinged with pride and wonder. “No. He’s talking to the trees. Waking them up.”
“What do you mean?”
There was no need for him to answer. One tree after another as he walked past gave a shudder, the leaves rattling like a strong wind had rushed through. Trees shifted that Rei didn’t even touch. They sensed his presence and were drawn to him and his power.
Under Rei’s feet, the earth rippled and buckled. Tree roots broke above the surface, wrapped around a corpse, and dragged it down to disappear beneath the grass and dead leaves. In other places, the ground opened up like a giant maw stretched in a yawn, swallowing up the dead before closing.
“There. He’s got it started,” Yichen announced, jolting everyone from their awe-filled stare. “Let’s follow on foot along the driveway. Any corpses in the gravel, toss into the woods for the trees. Meimei and Moon can bring the SUVs up behind us.”
“Yeah, sure,” Moon mumbled.
“Fine with me. I’m never stepping foot in the forest again,” Meimei claimed as she jumped into an SUV.
A snort escaped as he traveled along the gravel drive, picking up pixie and gnome corpses here and there to toss into the woods. Junjie fell into step on his left while Xiang followed them a step behind on Yichen’s right.
“The trees…” Junjie began, only to pause on a hard swallow. “They’re not actually…eating the dead, are they?”
“Nope.” Yichen bent and hefted an elf with Junjie’s help. “The trees are simply pulling the bodies underground, burying them. All living things are nothing more than water, dirt, and dust. We’re returning them to where they belong.”
“Even the fae?”
“They come with some magic tossed in. Moon’s forest might grow a little thicker, but that’d be about it. The earth will absorb that magic quickly.”
They moved along steadily, following the curving driveway to the white two-story house bathed in the soft glow of several outdoor lamps. It looked like an old-fashioned kind of American house he’d seen in pictures, which usually included a tractor, a cow, and several kids. Not exactly what he’d expected to see for a crazy blood witch.
Now that they were through the barrier, Yichen left the driveway and walked to the woods to meet up with Rei. The elf’s face was significantly paler now, and sweat dotted his brow.
“Any trouble with the barrier?” he asked as soon as he reached his friend.
Rei placed an arm on Yichen’s shoulder, leaning on him for support. “No. I think Moon must have changed it to let me through. It gave way the second I approached.”
“Do you want to recharge out here?”
