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Torsten cried out and raced away, heading for the camp. Odette stayed right on top of him, flapping her wings and pecking at his head. He waved his arms, trying to shoo her. His foot caught on a root and he sprawled out on the ground among dried twigs and pine needles.
She dove for the pouch at his waist, flipping the lid up and getting one bean in between her bill.
“Get away, demon swan!” Torsten struck out, kicking at her. Odette stumbled back to avoid the blow, her webbed feet shifting through the loose dirt.
He leapt up and bolted toward the camp. Damn it. She needed him to go through the portal. She rose into the air, moving around the large trees, chasing after him.
The prince ran past his lounging men, snapping up his bow and arrow. “Up, lads. To arms! There’s a possessed swan on my tail.”
The men laughed. She might have joined them had their weapons not meant potential death for her.
When they saw Odette coming for him, their laughter died. Picturing the pond—she hoped that was all she needed to do—she flung the bean from her bill at a nearby tree as she’d seen Rothbart do. It opened, revealing the body of water that was Odette’s cage and salvation. Thank the gods.
Turning, she flapped at the prince’s head. He roared but fell toward the portal, landing hard on the other side. She willed it to close and it did, keeping the others from following behind their prince.
Odette rushed for the water, ready to dive out onto it and change. But when she looked around, she realized the other swans hadn’t yet transformed. She gazed out over the pond.
Clouds blocked the moon.
Damn. She spun around. Prince Torsten rushed after her, trying to load his bow as he ran.
“Swan from hell.” He raised his bow and took aim.
Not knowing what else to do, Odette dove right for him. She pulled up, pecking his head, then shoving his weapon to the side. Prince Torsten cried out. She bit the edge of his bow and knocked him off balance. The arrow released, but flew harmlessly into the bushes.
She untangled herself from the prince and veered off into the trees. Wheeling around, she looked out to the lake.
The moon was there in its full glory. Without another thought and while the prince fumbled with his bow and arrow, she leapt out over the pond, landing on its smooth surface. The other swans slid onto the water around her.
And they changed.
When Odette returned to her human form in the water, she released a long, relieved sigh. It had worked. It had worked!
She looked up at Prince Torsten, who stood there, mouth wide open, bow and arrow drooping in a forgotten stupor.
“I’m glad you didn’t shoot me,” she said with a smile she hoped would appear welcoming.
“You…” He gazed at the others behind Odette. “All of you…”
She took a step toward him. “I know it’s surprising—”
“Don’t move.” He whipped up his bow, the arrow pointed at her heart.
Shit. Had Rothbart told the prince about them? Was this over before it even began?
“You are sorceresses,” he accused. “Come here to… what? Kidnap me for ransom?”
“Oh.” Odette bit back a laugh. Well, someone had a big head. “No. You are quite mistaken.” She motioned to herself and the others. “We are the ones who are captives here.”
His eyes narrowed. “You are?”
“Yes. To a horrible sorcerer who has bound us under a terrible curse. The swan curse.”
“You are the first person we have seen since we were captured,” Elna added, her voice sounding more vulnerable than usual.
Nice touch, Elna.
He lowered the bow. “You are prisoners. All of you?”
