More footsteps cracked through the trees along the side of the building, and before Jon appeared, his dirt and flower-scented magical signature carried toward us. "We ready?"

Echo flitted her gaze between Ramsey and me. "Born ready." She hurried toward Jon, muttered something that sounded like "They're going to be a while", and they started off into the woods.

Ramsey stood as a silent, immovable wall between me and them.

Sighing, I started around him in ...