Page 106 of When Ashes Fall

Gizzi scampered across the branch and disappeared into the tree. For a second, I could only stand there and blink as I tried to figure out how he’d vanished. Then I realized he hadn’t disappeared; he’d darted into a small hole in the tree.

“Gizzi!” I called when he screeched within the hollow. Panic gripped me when he didn’t respond. “GIZZI!”

“I don’t see anything up here!” Zephyr called down.

I didn’t acknowledge him as my attention remained on the tree. Muffled scratching came from within as Gizzi’s claws raked the bark.

My heart hammered as I stepped forward. I couldn’t lose my friend.

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

Briar

“GIZZI!” I screamed at him.

A second later, he burst out of the hole with something in his mouth. He dashed through the limbs of the tree, rapidly descending until he leapt from one of the lower branches and dashed over to me.

“Zephyr, come back down. Gizzi’s found one!” I called.

Zephyr joined us as Gizzi dropped the spider at my feet. The second it hit the ground, the creature tried to scamper away, but I took the jar and spoon from Zephyr and scooped it up.

The spider’s legs clinked against the glass as it sought to break free, but it couldn’t get any purchase on the smooth surface, and its legs weren’t strong enough to shatter its container. I lifted the jar to examine it more carefully.

The back of the spider looked exactly like a silkfang; all its markings were the same, as were its size, fangs, and the eight eyes on its head. But when it rose to click against the glass, it exposed its belly… and that is where the truth lay.

“What is that?” Zephyr asked as he hovered over my shoulder.

“A snake beneath a full moon,” I replied. “It’s the mark of the night casters; they bear it on their right hand and have a pentagram on the back of their left hand. The day casters have a pentagram on the back of their left hand and a sun on their right. They materialize after the casters bind themselves to the moon or sun gods. Since I’ve never gone through the binding ritual, I’m not entirely sure how it works.”

“So, this thing is… or belongs to… the night casters?”

I jiggled the jar, hoping to irritate the spider. I succeeded in doing so when it flipped onto its back; its legs kicked in the air, and something secreted from its belly.

“It does,” I confirmed.

When the spider righted itself, smoke came from the bottom of the glass as whatever it secreted started to eat through the jar.

“I don’t think it’s a poison,” I murmured. “It’s more of an acid.”

“Did you get any of this on you?” I asked Gizzi.

Rising onto his hind legs, Gizzi opened his mouth to reveal dozens of bleeding blisters inside. “Oh gods,” I blurted before switching back to speaking with him telepathically. “We have to get your mouth cleaned out, right now! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Gizzi whimpered in response.

“Oh, the poor thing,” Zephyr said. “How do we help him?”

“I need you to go to the healer’s room and gather some lavender, helichrysum, rosemary, peppermint, and chamomile right away. Also, bring a container to put it in.”

“What about that thing?” Zephyr asked, pointing at the spider; the glass continued to melt.

“I’ll take care of it. But I need those oils right now.”

Gizzi whimpered again.

“It’s okay,” I assured him. “I’ll have you cleaned out and feeling better soon.”

As I said this, the spider hit the ground. Before it could run away, I snatched it up and shoved it in my pocket. Almost immediately, my leg started burning. Gritting my teeth, I ignored the discomfort as Zephyr flew out of the room.