Tangled Magick Read Free Page B

his mouth with his sleeve. “Yes, our last planned stop was in Crestfallen, the town at the bottom of the mountains. But we were so close that I thought I’d take you—”
    Mae put her hand up, shushing Callum mid-sentence. Her ears pricked up and swiveled until she caught the sound again. The other hapennies perked their ears and turned their heads toward the forest. “I think we have visitors,” Mae said.
    Noses twitched in anticipation. Something was indeed crashing through the woods, and coming fast. Mae gripped her wand tighter while Callum eased himself off the log, knees creaking. The crashing got louder, and then Mae heard a scream.
    â€œHelp!”
    Mae started for a moment at the human voice and then moved toward the sound.
    Callum caught her collar. “Oh no you don’t. It could be a bockman trying to lure us into the woods. Or all manner of other creatures planning to do us harm.” He turned to the wide-eyed traders. “Gather a weapon, whatever you have at hand, and form a circle. Backs to the fire.” He pulled Mae next to him.
    â€œCallum,” Mae’s voice shook. “I don’t know what to do with a bockman.”
    â€œDon’t follow him, no matter the tune he plays.”
    Mae shook her head. Her heart raced. She saw the trees bending before a large shadow flew out. The ponies reared and whinnied. Mae raised her wand, a spell lingering at the tip of her tongue.
    â€œPlease,” the shadow cried out. “Please help me!”
    â€œ
Villielder
!” Callum whispered.
    The fire roared, and a beautiful human face was lit up in the night.

Chapter 2
    M ae dropped her wand in her pocket and stepped forward, but Callum held her fast by the shoulder. “No, Mae.”
    â€œBut Callum!” Mae pointed to the lady standing at the edge of their campsite. “It’s a woman in trouble, not a bockman.” The others were looking to Callum for direction.
    The wizard shifted next to her. His face was cloudy with indecision. “It could be a trick.”
    â€œPlease,” the woman pleaded and took a few steps forward, her hand outstretched. “I need your help!”
    Mae studied the woman. She was tall and thin, and her hair was a mess of tangles. The bodice of her dress was stained. One sleeve was torn from its seam, and the skirt was tattered and worn around the hem.
    The woman’s bottom lip trembled as the trees behind her shook. “I lost my way in the forest trying to escape from the trolls who held me captive.”
    The hapennies exchanged glances. Trolls?
    Cook Barley beat his rolling pin in his hand. “Trolls keeping humans captive now, eh? Your name, mistress?”
    â€œHuldfrejya,” the woman answered and curtsied on shaking legs.
    Callum’s brows knit together. His wand wobbled in his hand.
    Mae put her hand on Callum’s arm. “Please, Callum, she needs our help. We know what it’s like to be hounded by trolls.”
    The lady held up her hands, fingers spread, palms out. “No tricks. I promise. I’m just a poor soul who’s had a run of bad luck.” Her eyes were dull in the firelight.
    The hapennies’ weapons wavered and then fell to their sides.
    The lady gathered her skirts, clearly taking the lowering of weapons as assent to join the group, and quickly shuffled toward the safety of the fire. Poppy wrapped a blanket around Huldfrejya’s shoulders as the woman took a seat on a log. Cook Barley handed her a steaming mug of tea.
    â€œWhat do we do now, Callum?” Mae asked. The traders had gathered around, awaiting orders.
    â€œWe must keep a guard on duty, just in case the trolls still follow her. Two hapennies in each direction and a wizard to the north.” Callum’s brows knit together as the hapennies spread out.
    â€œI will take the first shift since I napped this afternoon,” Mae said.
    Callum nodded, the frown lines increasing on his