Oh shit, what did I just do?
The orb disappeared, and the pixie fluttered in front of me. A high-pitched whining rang in my ears. I winced and the pixie flew in the direction of the wall.
I peeked around to see where Astaroth was. He’d made it through, but the vines kept wrapping around him and pulling him back.
“I’m coming for you.”
The hell he was. I snatched the fallen branch from the ground. Magic tickled my palm and ran through my tightened fist. The branch changed shape within my grasp like it had before. Only this time, instead of a dagger, it created a short-handled spear.
“Please don’t leave me,” I scream-whispered to the pixie and gave chase.
I panicked as it reached the wall and flew through. That’s when I noticed a small gap between the bricks that wasn’t there before. Did my wish do this? I looked back over my shoulder, but the tree blocked Astaroth from view. This was my chance. Despite the dangers that lurked around every corner in thedarkness, I leaned myself out and wedged myself between the bricks. The pixie waited for me on the other side.
The wall shifted back into place sealing us out and trapping Astaroth in. I looked around, wondering what came next. Now that the goblins saw me as their queen, would one let me in their home and not tell their king? I doubted it. Astaroth would find me with this cursed thing around my neck.
I went to take it off when Astaroth screamed my name. He had made it to the tree. Fear radiated up my spine.
The pixie flew closer, that incessant whining growing louder, and then touched the stone. Peace flowed through me, along with the tune from my music box that Astaroth called the song of the realm.
Mixed in with the tune, I could hear her singsong voice. “I owe you a debt for saving me.”
I swallowed, thinking the same thing, but I never knew what the fae would require in return.
“Follow the music wherever it may lead, but you must be quick before it flees. Remember, never doubt and never lead, only follow until you’re free.”
Astaroth bellowed from the other side of the garden. He was trying to get out. I had to move.
Her wings sped up. “Run.”
