Echo Soul Seekers

forty-five

Dace

I check all my pockets. Hands obsessively patting my jacket, my pants, assured by the solid weight and heft that I find there.

This time I’m ready.

This time I’m armed.

With my blowgun loaded with darts dipped in poison no beast can survive, I make my way across a dry and scorched land, which, although it seems crazy, appears to be improving with each passing step.

Leaves are forming on trees. Buds are sprouting from the tips of once-barren flower stems.

Even the spirit animals, having spent the last month in hiding, are now out and about. Though, strangely, once they spy me they beat a fast retreat, eager to keep their distance and steer clear of my path.

Probably still suffering their version of post-traumatic stress disorder after all the hell Cade put them through.

Or at least that’s what I tell myself, until I pass the reflective surface of a pond and see an image of Cade staring back.

I run a hand through my hair, ensure it’s still long, unlike his. Then I press a hand to my cheek, relieved to see the image reflects the same thing.

Still, there’s no doubt that it’s Cade’s eyes staring back. The very reason the animals fled—they’ve mistaken me for him.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me. Still, there’s no time for regret, so I return my focus to finding him.

Needing to settle this before Daire can arrive.

I can’t bear for her to see me this way.